Yellow Cake with Espresso Frosting

Yellow cake with espresso frosting always makes me think of the first time I tried to surprise my best friend on her birthday linking she loves coffee linking and I wanted to make something classic but with a fun twist linking so I combined a soft, buttery yellow cake with a rich espresso frosting linking the whole kitchen smelled like a cozy café linking and when she took the first bite linking her eyes lit up linking it was the perfect balance of sweet and bold linking and we laughed and shared stories late into the night.

Since then linking this cake has become my go-to for birthdays linking celebrations linking or anytime I want to impress someone with a beautiful yet approachable dessert linking the fluffy layers linking silky frosting linking and hint of coffee always get rave reviews linking and I know you’ll love making and sharing it just as much as I do!

Ingredients

• Here’s what I use for this recipe. You can always make substitutions if you prefer!
• All-purpose flour – Gives the cake structure and light, fluffy texture.
• Baking powder – Helps the cake rise perfectly.
• Salt – Balances and enhances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter – Adds rich flavor and tenderness to the cake.
• Granulated sugar – Sweetens and gives a tender crumb.
• Eggs – Provide structure and richness.
• Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth to the cake.
• Whole milk – Keeps the cake moist and soft.
• Espresso powder – Infuses the frosting with a bold coffee kick.
• Heavy cream – Makes the frosting smooth and easy to spread.
• Powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting.

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls – For the cake batter and frosting.
• Stand mixer or hand mixer – Helps create a light, fluffy cake and silky frosting.
• Whisk and spatula – For mixing and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
• 8 or 9-inch round cake pans – To create those beautiful layered slices.
• Cooling rack – Cools the cakes evenly before frosting.
• Offset spatula – Makes frosting and decorating easier.
• Piping bag (optional) – For adding pretty decorative swirls on top.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and prepare pans

I start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing and lining the cake pans with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients

In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar

In a large bowl, I beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which takes about 3–5 minutes.

Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla

I beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

Step 5: Combine with milk and dry ingredients

I alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry, and mix until just combined.

Step 6: Bake

I divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool

I let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Make espresso frosting

In a bowl, I beat the butter until creamy. I dissolve the espresso powder in the heavy cream, then gradually add this and the powdered sugar to the butter, beating until smooth and fluffy.

Step 9: Assemble and frost

I place one cake layer on a plate or stand, spread a layer of frosting, and repeat with remaining layers. Then I frost the top and sides, using a piping bag to decorate if I feel fancy.

Tips

If you want a stronger coffee flavor, I sometimes add extra espresso powder to the frosting. To make it even more decadent, you can brush each cake layer with a little brewed coffee before frosting. You can also chill the cake briefly after frosting to help set the layers before slicing.

Ways to Serve

I love serving this yellow cake with espresso frosting at birthdays, dinner parties, or as an indulgent weekend treat. It pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. You can also serve it with fresh berries for a pop of color and freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make yellow cake with espresso frosting ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cakes a day ahead and frost the next day.

Can I freeze the cake?

Absolutely! Wrap the cake layers (unfrosted) well and freeze for up to 2 months.

Is there a substitute for espresso powder?

You can use strong instant coffee, but the flavor might be slightly milder.

See You in the Kitchen

I hope you give this yellow cake with espresso frosting a try! It’s the perfect mix of classic comfort and a fun twist, and I’d love to see how yours turns out. Share your creations or let me know if you added any creative touches!

Happy Cooking!

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