10 Buttery Yellow Cake Recipes Moist

There’s something undeniably magical about a slice of buttery yellow cake—soft, moist, and golden, with that rich, velvety crumb that melts in your mouth. I remember my grandmother pulling a towering yellow cake from the oven during family gatherings in my childhood home in the Midwest. The kitchen would fill with the warm scent of butter and vanilla, and we’d all gather around, forks at the ready, for her simple yet flawless recipe. Those moments sparked my lifelong love affair with baking, reminding me how a humble cake can bring people together.

Lately, I’ve been on a mission in my own kitchen to perfect moist yellow cakes that rival bakery versions but use everyday ingredients. After countless experiments—tweaking butter ratios, testing yogurt for extra tenderness, and even infusing unexpected flavors—I’ve nailed 10 foolproof recipes. In a world of trendy desserts, these buttery classics stand out for their reliability and comfort, especially when you need a showstopper for birthdays or weeknight treats.

Classic Moist Buttery Yellow Cake

This timeless recipe is my go-to for its perfect balance of buttery richness and tender crumb, staying moist for days thanks to buttermilk and oil. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened), 1 cup buttermilk, 3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch pans. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients separately, then alternate adding to wet with buttermilk and oil. Bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Its benefits include superior moisture retention and a flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate frosting—ideal for layer cakes without drying out.

Sour Cream Buttery Yellow Cake

Elevate the classic with sour cream for an ultra-tender, moist texture and subtle tang that enhances the buttery notes. Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup sour cream, 3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt.
Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and sour cream. Sift dry ingredients and fold in gently. Bake in greased 9-inch pans at 350°F for 28-32 minutes. The sour cream ensures long-lasting moisture and a finer crumb, making it less prone to cracking—perfect for beginners seeking bakery-quality results.

Brown Butter Vanilla Yellow Cake

Infuse depth with browned butter for nutty, caramelized flavors while keeping the cake impossibly moist via Greek yogurt. Ingredients: 2.5 cups flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 3/4 cup browned butter (cooled), 1 cup Greek yogurt, 3 eggs, 1 tbsp vanilla, 2.5 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
Brown butter until fragrant, cool slightly. Beat with sugar, add eggs, yogurt, and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients. Bake at 350°F in two 8-inch pans for 30 minutes. Browning the butter adds complexity without sacrificing moisture, yielding a cake that’s flavorful and stays fresh longer.

Lemon Buttery Yellow Cake

Bright lemon zest cuts through the buttery richness, with oil and pudding mix ensuring maximum moisture. Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup milk, 3 eggs, zest of 2 lemons, 3 oz instant lemon pudding mix, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 cup oil.
Cream butter, sugar, and zest; beat in eggs, then pudding mix. Alternate milk and dry ingredients with oil. Bake at 350°F for 25-28 minutes in greased pans. The citrus perks up the flavor while the pudding keeps it spongy-moist—great for summer gatherings.

Coconut Oil Moist Yellow Cake

A dairy-free twist using coconut oil for buttery tenderness and coconut milk for tropical moisture. Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup coconut oil (melted), 1 cup coconut milk, 3 eggs, 2 tsp coconut extract, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
Mix wet ingredients including oil and milk, then fold in dry. Pour into two 9-inch pans and bake at 350°F for 26-30 minutes. Coconut oil provides natural moisture and a subtle richness, making it vegan-adaptable and incredibly soft.

Almond Buttery Yellow Cake

Toasted almond flour boosts nuttiness in this buttery base, with applesauce for unbeatable moisture. Ingredients: 1.75 cups flour, 1/4 cup almond flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup applesauce, 3 eggs, 1 tsp almond extract, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
Toast almond flour lightly. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, extract, and applesauce; mix in flours. Bake at 350°F for 28 minutes. Applesauce locks in moisture for days, while almonds add elegance—perfect for tea time.

Chocolate Chip Buttery Yellow Cake

Studded with chips for fun texture, this stays moist thanks to a double buttermilk punch. Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup buttermilk, 3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 1.5 cups chocolate chips, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Alternate buttermilk and dry, fold in chips. Bake at 350°F in bundt or layers for 30-35 minutes. Chips melt slightly into the batter for gooey bliss, with buttermilk ensuring fluffiness.

Yogurt-Infused Moist Yellow Cake

Plain yogurt creates a tangy, ultra-moist crumb that amplifies butter’s flavor without heaviness. Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1.25 cups plain yogurt, 3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt.
Beat butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and yogurt. Sift in dry and stir minimally. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes in rounds. Yogurt tenderizes naturally, resulting in a cake that’s healthier yet decadently moist.

Buttermilk Brown Sugar Yellow Cake

Brown sugar adds chew and caramel depth to this buttery staple, moistened by extra buttermilk. Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1.25 cups buttermilk, 3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
Cream butters and sugars, beat in eggs and vanilla. Alternate buttermilk and dry. Bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes. Brown sugar hygroscopic nature keeps it moist longer, with a richer taste profile.

Rum-Soaked Buttery Yellow Cake

A boozy finish soaks into the moist crumb for adult indulgence, using butter and oil for silkiness. Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup oil, 3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup rum (for soaking), 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
Mix batter as classic, bake at 350°F for 27 minutes. Poke holes and soak with rum syrup (rum + sugar boiled). Rum adds aromatic moisture without sogginess—ideal for parties.

These 10 buttery yellow cake recipes are your ticket to moist, crowd-pleasing perfection—grab your apron, preheat the oven, and bake one today to relive those joyful moments or create new ones!