This Vanilla Yogurt Cake is incredibly tangy, dense, and moist. It's filled with colorful rainbow sprinkles that make it perfect for a party, Easter, Mother's Day or any celebration. Vegan + Gluten-Free options available.
Spring calls for color, even in your food! This sprinkle-covered vanilla yogurt cake looks like a celebration on a plate. It's perfect for birthdays, graduation parties, or really just any day of the week. The cake gets wonderful flavor and dense, moist texture from Greek yogurt and just a few simple ingredients.
How to Make Best Vanilla Yogurt Cake with Sprinkles
This cake as I’ve mentioned before is super easy to whip together and doesn’t require anything special when it comes to ingredients. All you need to whip up this simple Vanilla Yogurt Cake with Sprinkles batter is:
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this stunning springtime vanilla cake:
Flour. I like organic all-purpose from Bob's Red Mill.
Sugar. I use organic cane sugar.
Butter. Unsalted butter lets you better control the flavor of your cake.
Vanilla. Use pure vanilla extract for the best vanilla flavor.
Eggs. To bind and lift your cake.
Yogurt. I recommend full-fat, plain yogurt
Buttermilk. I make this by combining dairy-free milk (like homemade almond milk) with a bit of lemon juice.
Tips for Making The Best Yogurt Cake Every Time
TIP #1: Have the Right Tools
To make and decorate this vanilla yogurt cake, you'll need a cake stand (preferably one that has a turnstile table), spatulas (big + small), piping bags + tips, correct baking pans and parchment paper.
TIP #2: Combine Baking Soda + Acid
The essential ingredient combos for a light, silky cake texture is baking soda and an acid (usually vinegar or buttermilk if the cake calls for it). When acid and baking soda reacts, it creates bubbles and helps to create a nice rise for your baked goods, leaving an airy texture.
TIP #3: Sift!
One of my favorite tricks to a perfect cake has been to ensure that ALL of my dry ingredients are sifted. It's an extra step, but the results are a light, fluffy, and fully combined cake batter.
TIP #4: Avoid Over-Mixing
When mixing your cake batter, it’s so important to add the dry ingredients and wet ingredients alternately. Then, as soon as everything is combined very well, STOP! Over-mixing creates a more dense cake.
However, I do occasionally use Super-Fine Cake Flour which adds a nice airiness and fluffiness to your cakes as well.
Can I Make The Vanilla Yogurt Cake Vegan?
Yes! To make this cake dairy-free and egg-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter. Omit the eggs and use vegan yogurt instead of dairy yogurt. To decorate your vegan yogurt cake, use the vanilla buttercream recipe here.
Can I Make this Vanilla Yogurt Cake Gluten-Free?
If you would love to make this cake gluten-free, then substituting all-purpose flour with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour is the easiest option. It’s a special blend of gluten-free flours, starches, and xanthan gum, which makes this cake just as soft, fluffy, and airy as the original! They also have a great All-purpose GF flour that works great as well.
How to Store Vanilla Yogurt Cake
Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Or freeze the cake for up to 3 months. To serve, defrost the cake for a few hours on the counter.
Can I Make Yogurt Cupcakes?
Sure! To turn this cake recipe into individual cupcakes, simply divide the batter between about 30 cupcake wells. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the centers are set.
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease (with butter) AND line with parchment paper the bottoms of TWO 9-inch or 8-inch cake pans (for thicker layers) or THREE 6-inch cake pans.
In a bowl, whisk together the milk and lemon juice and set aside for 5-10 minutes until everything "activates" to create the dairy-free "buttermilk".
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
In a bowl, add the butter and sugar, beating them together using a hand-mixer (on high-speed), until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the eggs (one at a time) followed by the vanilla and yogurt, mixing until combined. On low-speed, add in the dry ingredients followed by the buttermilk and continue to mix until combined and the batter is smooth, about 3-4 minutes. NOTE: The batter should be thick, yet slowly run off the whisk once lifted.
Divide the batter evenly into each of the cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick or butter knife comes out clean when tested in the centers.
Remove cakes from the oven and let them rest in the pan for 10 minutes or so before removing the cakes and placing them onto a cooling rack to fully cool. NOTE: Let them cool for at least 1-2 hours in a cool place.
MAKE THE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
Simply beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer (or using a hand-mixer) on medium-high speed, until smooth and pale. Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, continuing to mix on medium-speed until you reach the desired consistency----smooth and fluffy. NOTE: Add more milk (1 tablespoon at a time if too thick) or powdered sugar (for more thickness).
ASSEMBLY:
Place the first cake layer on your cake stand and evenly cover the top with buttercream and rainbow sprinkles. Now, top with 2nd layer and add more buttercream, spreading it over the tops and sides of cake, evenly and thinly. NOTE: If making a 3-layer, be sure to repeat step 1 of assembly once again before getting to the final layer.
Once fully frosted, add small little designs of the buttercream using a piping bag + tip around the sides and top of cake followed by rainbow sprinkles. Chill for 5 minutes to ensure that buttercream sets.
When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator. Slice and enjoy!
Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
STORAGE: Keep cake leftovers stored for up to 4-5 days in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container to keep the cake from drying out. You can also freeze the cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Before serving, defrost the cake on the counter.
FLOUR: You can also use cake flour in place of all-purpose flour for a fluffier texture.
CUPCAKES: This recipe yields about 30 cupcakes. Simply bake for 18-20 minutes instead, until centers come out clean. I also, have a Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting recipe that is awesome!
VEGAN OPTION: To make this cake entirely dairy-free + vegan, simply omit the unsalted butter and eggs and use vegan butter instead and add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to milk instead of lemon juice. Also, substitute Greek yogurt with dairy-free yogurt. You can see my Vegan Funfetti Cake + Vanilla Buttercream recipe for an amazing substitute.
GLUTEN FREE OPTION: If you would love to make this cake gluten-free, then substituting all-purpose flour with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour is the easiest option. It’s a special blend of gluten-free flours, starches, and xanthan gum, which makes this cake just as soft, fluffy, and airy as the original! They also have a great All-purpose GF flour that works great as well.
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