Favorite Yellow Cake Recipe

One of my family's favorite desserts is yellow cake with chocolate frosting. This yellow cake recipe is so easy and versatile, and it only takes a few more ingredients than the box mix. It's become my go-to recipe whenever I'm in the mood to bake a cake for family and friends. I do still buy the box mix when it's on sale. However, I'm more likely to stock up on the canned frostings, rather than keep mass quantities of powdered sugar on hand.

A real epiphany for me came a few years ago when I read that the difference between white cake and yellow cake is white cake only uses the egg whites and yellow cake uses the whole eggs. The color comes from the yolks. Well, duh. That seems obvious now that I know it, but hadn't really thought about it before then. I have since seen this mentioned in cook books, various baking articles and even on a bag of flour.

Another thing about baking this yellow cake is you don't necessarily have to use cake flour. I sift whatever flour I have on hand to make a lighter texture. If I use all-purpose flour, I'll add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder. Most of the time I just use self-rising flour.

I do prefer using a fork or wire whisk, but a hand mixer will give a smoother result and is less work. Avoid over mixing, though, or you will have a tough or stiff cake.

So here is the recipe for my Favorite Yellow Cake:

Ingredients:
2 cups self-rising flour - sifted
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening, margarine or softened butter
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or other flavoring as desired)
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour cake pans.

Blend together flour and sugar. Cut in shortening to make a pebbly texture.

Add milk and vanilla. Mix for 2 minutes (about 200 strokes).

Add eggs and continue mixing another 2 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Two 8 inch pans will take 30-35 minutes. Two 9 inch pans will take 20-25 minutes.

Cool in the pans on a rack for about 10 minutes. Remove from pans and continue cooling on rack until completely cool. Ice with your favorite flavor frosting.