• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Frugal
  • Resources
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

BeeyondCereal logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Frugal
  • Resources
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Frugal
    • Resources
    • About
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Published: Jul 26, 2022 by Nicole This post may contain affiliate links.

    Single Layer Yellow Cake With Chocolate Frosting

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    promotional graphic for Single Layer Cake

    When you want something sweet but don't need a large dessert, this single layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting is a perfect option.

    side view of a sliced yellow cake with chocolate frosting on a metal cake stand

    Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is a traditional and classic dessert. Often made using boxed cake mixes and canned chocolate frosting, this homemade version tastes better and is a beautiful way to get your favorite flavors without the processed mixes.

    I have nothing against boxed mixes, in fact some of my best cake recipes use them like my Layered Tres Leches Cake or Layered Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake, but boxed cake mixes make large portions, and we want something smaller today.

    Why This Recipe Works

    1. Made from scratch= healthier. There's no doubt that making foods from scratch is healthier, so you can feel good about serving up this homemade yellow cake with chocolate frosting or going back for a second slice.
    2. Perfect for a small occasion or family. When you want to do a small celebration, birthday, or simply want to serve up something sweet after dinner, this single layer cake recipe is perfect for a one-time treat without so many tempting leftovers in the fridge.
    3. It's cheap to make! This recipe comes together and costs less than $3 to make, making it very frugal and affordable.
    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🍽 Equipment Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Storage
    • 💭 FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    ingredients needed for one layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting

    🥘 Ingredients

    For the cake, you will need:

    All-purpose flour- This will be the structural base of the recipe.

    Granulated sugar- Use white sugar to make the cake sweeter and have a better consistency.

    Leavening agents- You will need baking soda and baking powder to help the cake puff up and rise as it bakes.

    Salt- This is a natural flavor enhancer and will help to make your cake taste great!

    Egg- These act as a binder so that the cake doesn't crumble apart.

    Vegetable oil- Use cooking oil to give the cake the necessary fats needed to stay moist.

    Milk- Adding milk will give the cake some more richness and moisture.

    Hot water- This is a great way to give the cake a good flavor and to make it softer.

    Vanilla extract- A flavor enhancer.

    For the chocolate frosting, you will need:

    Heavy cream- Use heavy cream, not milk, to make the whipped ganache frosting the perfect consistency.

    Milk chocolate chips- You could use semi sweet if you wanted to, but I love the milk chocolate taste with yellow cake!

    For specific quantities, see the recipe card below.

    🍽 Equipment Needed

    BeeyondCereal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Whisk
    • Electric Mixer
    • 8 inch round cake pan

    🔪 Instructions

    Check out how to make single layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting with these simple step-by-step instructions:

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour or line an 8" square or round pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

    Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

    dry ingredients in a mixing bowl with a whisk

    Add egg, milk, vanilla, and oil. Whisk together. Add hot water and whisk well until the batter is smooth. It will be runny, but that's okay.

    wet ingredients added to a bowl of dry ingredients and a whisk inside the bowl

    Pour batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan gently against the counter to release any air bubbles.

    cake batter in a round cake pan

    Bake cake for 25 to 28 minutes or until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in a few places comes out clean.

    one layer of baked yellow cake in a round cake pan

    Cool cake completely before frosting.

    round yellow cake on a cooling rack

    For the Chocolate Frosting

    Heat the cream in a medium bowl in the microwave until almost boiling. 1-2 minutes

    Add the chocolate chips and whisk until smooth and well combined.

    heavy cream in a bowl with chocolate chips and a whisk

    Chill the mixture until it's cold.

    chocolate ganache in a bowl with a whisk

    Once it's chilled, whisk it on high speed until it's light and fluffy.

    a bowl of whipped chocolate ganache frosting

    Frost cake.

    a chocolate frosted cake with border and sprinkles

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    Don't overmix

    Do not overmix your cake batter or use too hot of water (like boiling) or else your cake batter will turn out dense. It will still be delicious- but it won't be fluffy.

    Let cake cool

    Letting the cake cool completely before frosting it will prevent the frosting from melting, and letting the cake cool completely before storing in the fridge will keep it from becoming dense as well.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

    This cake, once frosted can be kept covered and stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. It will taste best when fresh, so don't wait too long.

    💭 FAQs

    How long is chocolate ganache good for?

    When making the frosting, you start by making chocolate ganache and then letting it cool. You can keep the ganache well covered in the fridge for up to 1 week in advance, but I recommend no more than 2 days before when you need it.

    What is the flavor of yellow cake?

    The flavor of yellow cake is vanilla. The yellow color comes from the egg yolks that are used in the batter, which causes the mix to become a shade of yellow.

    Can I add cocoa to a yellow cake mix to make it chocolate?

    If this is what you desire, then go for it! You can add in about ¼ cup of cocoa powder to turn this yellow cake into a chocolate flavored one.

    a sliced yellow cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles

    More great cake recipes to check out soon

    • Red White and Blue Poke Cake
    • Peaches and Cream Bundt Cake
    • Pastel Rainbow Unicorn Cake
    • Earth Day Cupcakes
    • Cake Mix Coffee Cake
    • Chocolate Pistachio Bundt Cake

    📖 Recipe

    a yellow cake with chocoalte frosting and sprinkles missing a slice and resting on a metal cakestand
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Single Layer Yellow Cake With Chocolate Frosting

    When you want something sweet, but you don't need a large dessert, this single layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting is a perfect option.
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 428kcal
    Cost Recipe $2.55 / Serving $0.32
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Whisk
    • Electric Mixer
    • 8 inch round cake pan

    Ingredients

    For the cake:

    • 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ($0.10)
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar ($0.17)
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda ($0.01)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder ($0.02)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt ($0.02)
    • 1 large egg ($0.08)
    • ½ cup vegetable oil ($0.24)
    • ½ cup milk ($0.08)
    • ½ cup hot water ($0.00)
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ($0.10)

    For the chocolate frosting

    • ¾ cup heavy cream ($0.74)
    • 1 cup milk chocolate chips ($0.99)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour or line with parchment paper, an 8" square or round pan. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
    • Add egg, milk, vanilla and oil. Whisk together. Add hot water and whisk well until the batter is smooth. It will be runny but that's okay.
    • Pour batter into prepared pan. Tap the pan gently against the counter to release any air bubbles.
    • Bake cake for 25 to 28 minutes or until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in a few places comes out clean.
    • Cool cake completely before frosting.

    For the Chocolate frosting

    • Heat the cream in a medium bowl in the microwave until almost boiling. 1-2 minutes
    • Add the chocolate chips and whisk until smooth and well combined.
    • Chill the mixture until it's cold.
    • Once it's chilled, whisk it on high speed until it's light and fluffy. Frost cake.

    Notes

    Recipe Tips

    • Do not overmix your cake batter or use too hot of water (like boiling) or else your cake batter will turn out dense. It will still be delicious- but it won't be fluffy.
    • Letting the cake cool completely before frosting it will prevent the frosting from melting, and letting the cake cool completely before storing in the fridge will keep it from becoming dense as well.
    • If this is what you desire, then go for it! You can add in about ¼ cup of cocoa powder to turn this yellow cake into a chocolate flavored one.

    Storage

    • This cake, once frosted can be kept covered and stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. It will taste best when fresh, so don't wait too long. 

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 235mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg
    Author NicoleDurham
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

    More Cake Recipes

    • recipes made with cake mix
      Recipes with Boxed Cake Mixes
    • an upclose view of easter confetti cake with easter peeps and candies
      Easter Confetti Cake
    • an upclose view of chocolate lava cake in a crockpot with powdered sugar a wooden spoon and red berries
      Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake
    • apple cider cupcakes with caramel frosting and seasonal sprinkles. Fresh apples in background
      Apple Cider Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Nicole from Beeyond Cereal

    I'm Nicole and I am the owner and recipe developer here at Beeyond Cereal. I love saving money and one of the best places to trim expenses is in the kitchen. With this site, we are serving up tasty and frugal homemade dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

    More About Me →

    Trending NOW

    • two bbq chicken thighs on a plate with more on a baking dish in the background
      Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • roasted chicken, carrots and potatoes in a baking dish with a sprig of rosemary on top
      Roasted Whole Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots
    • a close up of taquitos enchiladas in a bowl with a board filled with toppings in background
      20 Minute Lazy Enchiladas
    • an upclose view of honey lemon pepper wings on a plate
      Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

    Seasonal Recipes

    • bunny biscuits on a baking sheet
      Easy Easter Bunny Biscuits
    • an upclose view of a mug filled with easter egg hot chocoalte and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles
      Easter Egg Hot Chocolate
    • an upclose view of easter confetti cake with easter peeps and candies
      Easter Confetti Cake
    • a plate filled with mini egg fudge pieces
      Easter Mini Eggs Fudge

    As Seen In

    parade yummyle foodgawker the pioneer woman

    Footer

    ↑ Back to Top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Public Sharing Policy
    • Pricing Disclosure

    Follow

    • Sign Up! for emails
    • Follow on Facebook
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Follow on Pinterest

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Beeyond Cereal --Brunch Pro Theme by Feast Design Co.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Save & Accept