Recreate your favorite yellow cake mix from scratch with Small Yellow Cake! It makes the perfect 6 inch birthday cake with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting.


Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake For Two with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting for cake portion control.

Did you grow up eating cake mix? I did.

There are 4 of us – me, my brother, and my parents. Mom would often make each family member a cake for his or her birthday, usually devil’s food but sometimes yellow or even funfetti.

When I learned how to bake, I insisted on making homemade cakes. I even make my own birthday cake now (although I will not object to someone buying me an ice cream cake).

For awhile I made layer cakes on the blog, but I’m now I’m focusing on small batch sizes with 6 inch cake recipes.

Whether you’re looking for dessert for two or for portion control, I got you covered.


Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake For Two with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting for cake portion control.

After making my small chocolate cake, I started thinking about what flavors to make next.

Soon I started thinking about yellow cake, the kind you see as a cake mix.

Of course I’m all about baking cakes from scratch, so I set out to make this Small Yellow Cake.

What’s funny is yellow isn’t a flavor. You have chocolate cake, vanilla cake, strawberry cake. Then you have yellow cake. What does yellow taste like exactly?


Small Batch 6 Inch Yellow Cake with chocolate frosting

What is yellow cake?

Yellow cake gets its name from using butter and whole eggs (compared to white cake where you use only egg whites). Quite frankly, it’s a small vanilla cake made with whole eggs.

In other words, yellow cake and vanilla cake are the same. It depends on whether you want the richness from the yolks or stick with all whites.

It even makes a great base for a small birthday cake.


Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake for a delicious dessert for two

How To Make Yellow Cake For Two

I tested this recipe probably 8 times. The cakes started out too thin. Then some kept doming in the middle while others did the opposite and sunk.

I ended up adding baking soda to neutralize the acidity in the buttermilk while the baking powder helped the cake rise to the desired thickness.


Take a bite out of Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake For Two

Buying A 6 Inch Round Cake Pan

To make the best yellow cake recipe, you need a 6 inch round cake pan (affiliate link). If you’re having trouble finding one, check out the cake decorating section of your local craft store.

I also turned this recipe into small batch yellow cupcakes if you don’t have a 6 inch pan.


Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake For Two with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting for cake portion control.

Servings In A 6 Inch Yellow Cake

Serving sizes are subjective, especially if you only want a small bite of cake. Generally 6 inch cakes can be sliced into 4-6 slices, making it about 4-6 servings per 6 inch cake.

However, if you slice the cake small enough, you can push for 8 slices, equaling 8 servings.

Ultimately serving size is up to you depending on how small you cut your 6 inch cake.


Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake Dessert For Two

What is the best frosting for yellow cake?

For the frosting, I used my Small Batch Chocolate Frosting, which makes enough to frost the top and outside. Don’t forget the sprinkles!

Not a chocolate fan? Check out my Small Batch Buttercream Frosting and Strawberry Buttercream.

You can even make it pretty in pink with strawberry cream cheese frosting.

Equipment You Will Need


More Small 6 Inch Cake Recipes

Looking for more small cake flavors? Check out these recipes:

Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake For Two with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting for cake portion control.

Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake For Two

Yield: 4-6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Looking to recreate your favorite yellow cake mix from scratch? This Small 6 Inch Yellow Cake For Two with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting is the perfect size if you’re looking for cake portion control.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature (or substitute whole milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar added. Do not use skim or low fat.)

Frosting Options (Pick One)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease one 6-inch round cake pan then line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and cornstarch then stir in baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  3. In a large mixing bowl (using paddle attachment if using a stand mixer), beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 1 minute.
  4. Scrape down the bowl then beat in the egg and vanilla (it will look curdled).
  5. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, adding the flour in 3 additions and the milk in 2 additions (begin and end with dry ingredients).
  6. Transfer the batter to the pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for about 15 minutes, run a knife along the edge of the pan to loosen, and invert onto a cooling rack. Cool right-side-up.
  7. Once cool, decorate with frosting of choice.

    If using buttercream, store at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

    If using cream cheese frosting, store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before serving to get rid of the chill.

Notes

  • Enjoyed this recipe? Check out my full list of Small Cake Recipes, including chocolate, vanilla, and more!

Recommended Products

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