Easter Yellow Cake – Best Moist Recipe for Celebrations

Looking for the perfect dessert to brighten your holiday table? This Easter Yellow Cake is a rich, moist, and fluffy treat that outshines any boxed mix. With its buttery crumb, vibrant yellow hue, and smooth pastry cream frosting, it’s a festive and crowd-pleasing cake ideal for Easter or any spring celebration. Made entirely from scratch, this cake captures that nostalgic homemade flavor while offering the elegance of a bakery-style dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Easter Yellow Cake

This Easter Yellow Cake isn’t just visually beautiful — it’s also packed with flavor and the perfect texture. The use of whole eggs and egg yolks gives the cake a deep golden color and richness, while sour cream adds moisture and tang. Unlike many boxed mixes, this homemade yellow cake has depth, real vanilla notes, and a soft yet sturdy crumb that holds up beautifully in layers.

Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or preparing a make-ahead dessert for a spring event, this cake delivers every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Yellow Cake

• Bleached Cake Flour: Creates a finer, more tender crumb ideal for layered cakes
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Provide a balanced lift and soft texture
• Sea Salt: Enhances the sweetness and flavors throughout the cake
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creamy texture; beat until fluffy for the best results
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create structure through creaming
• Whole Eggs + Egg Yolks: Boost richness and provide that classic yellow color
• Vanilla Extract: Essential for that nostalgic yellow cake flavor
• Sour Cream or Full-Fat Yogurt: Adds moisture, tang, and keeps the crumb tender
• Whole Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and contributes to moistness

Pastry Cream Frosting

• Egg Yolks: Provide the silky base for the cream
• Granulated or Caster Sugar: Sweetens and helps emulsify the mixture
• Cornstarch: Thickens the pastry cream without flour
• Whole Milk: Gives a rich and smooth mouthfeel
• Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness
• Butter: Adds smoothness and flavor to the pastry cream
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens the cream’s flavor profile

Ingredient Swaps and Dietary Alternatives

If you’re missing a few ingredients or need to adapt the recipe, here are some easy alternatives to keep your Easter Yellow Cake on track:

• Cake Flour Substitute: Use all-purpose flour with a touch of cornstarch (for each cup, use 1 cup minus 2 tbsp flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch)
• Sour Cream: Full-fat Greek yogurt works wonderfully and adds similar tanginess
• Butter: For dairy-free, try high-quality plant-based butter with at least 80% fat
• Whole Milk: Substitute with oat milk or almond milk for a dairy-light version
• Eggs: Use commercial egg replacers or a mix of mashed banana and oil for egg-free baking (note: texture may vary)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease, flour, and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on high speed for about 1 minute until smooth and creamy.
4. Add granulated sugar and beat on high for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
6. Beat in the sour cream until smooth.
7. On low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and milk in three additions, beginning and ending with flour. Mix only until combined.
8. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
9. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let cakes cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Making the Pastry Cream Frosting

1. In a saucepan, heat 1 ½ cups of milk with vanilla extract until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the remaining ½ cup milk with egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
3. While whisking, slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper.
4. Return the entire mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and boiling.
5. Remove from heat and stir in butter and salt until smooth.
6. Chill the pastry cream before assembling the cake.
7. Place one cake layer on a stand. Spread one-third of the pastry cream evenly over the top.
8. Place the second layer (upside down for a flat surface) and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream. Smooth the sides and top with an offset spatula.

Tips for Success

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures even mixing and a uniform batter.
• Don’t Overmix: Especially after adding flour — this prevents a tough cake.
• Cool Layers Completely: Prevents the frosting from melting.
• Use Parchment Circles: Helps remove cakes from pans without sticking.
• Make Ahead: Bake the layers a day ahead and frost closer to serving time.

Serving Suggestions & Delicious Variations

• Fresh Fruit Garnish: Add strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a spring-inspired look.
• Easter Toppings: Decorate with pastel sprinkles, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate eggs.
• Zesty Twist: Add 1 tsp lemon or orange zest to the batter for a citrus touch.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the top before serving.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-sensitive crowd.

Why It’s the Ultimate Easter Dessert

This Easter Yellow Cake checks all the boxes: festive, flavorful, fluffy, and easy to decorate for the holiday. Its golden color symbolizes spring sunshine, while the light vanilla flavor pairs well with spring-themed toppings and berries. The pastry cream frosting offers a luxurious alternative to overly sweet buttercreams, making it perfect for both adults and kids.

Whether you’re hosting brunch or delivering treats to family, this cake is guaranteed to be the highlight of your Easter dessert table.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a festive, flavorful, and foolproof dessert to make your holiday gathering extra special, the Easter Yellow Cake is your answer. It’s delightfully buttery, moist, and layered with a luscious pastry cream frosting that elevates every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or making your first from-scratch cake, this recipe is a reliable showstopper that balances simplicity with sophistication.

Forget the overly sweet boxed mixes — this homemade yellow cake is a timeless classic that’s ideal for Easter celebrations, birthdays, or any occasion that deserves a golden touch. Bake it once, and it just might become your new springtime tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Relevant Recipes

• Mandarin Orange Cake (Easy Recipe): This bright, citrusy cake features mandarin oranges baked into a moist, fluffy crumb—an ideal fruity twist for spring and a great alternative to traditional yellow cake. Its vibrant flavor and easy prep make it perfect for Easter and other celebrations.
• Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake: A rich, tender cake swirled with tangy cream cheese, this dessert shares the luxurious texture and visual appeal of a classic Easter Yellow Cake while offering a festive, elegant flavor profile.
• Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: These soft banana bars topped with smooth cream cheese frosting offer a comforting, crowd-pleasing option that echoes the moist texture and sweet richness of an Easter Yellow Cake.

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