Last Updated on March 25, 2022
This yellow cake with chocolate chips is super easy to make because it uses a yellow cake mix. It is very moist and delicious! Besides, it is an 8-inch cake recipe with three cake layers. And it has a chocolate buttercream filling.
Moreover, it is soft, and you can taste the goodness of brown sugar. Also, it includes tasty chocolate chips, which are perfect for any party and gatherings.
What You Will Need
Ingredients For The Chocolate Chip Yellow Cake
- Box of sifted yellow cake mix (you can use any brand that you prefer)
- 1 cup of cake flour (121 grams)
- 1 cup of light brown sugar (200 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt (3 grams)
- 1 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt (you can also use greek yogurt) about 242 grams
- 1 cup of water (240 grams)
- 3pcs of eggs (whole)
- 1 tbsp of canola oil (8 grams)
- 2 tsp of vanilla (8 grams)
- 1 cup of mini chocolate chips about 170 grams (you can add more if you want)
- Mini chocolate chips for garnish (optional)
For The Chocolate Buttercream
- 3pcs of unsalted butter (sticks), softened, and about 339 grams.
- 8 cups of powdered sugar about 920 grams (you can add more if needed)
- Cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (refrain from using Dutch-processed) measure, then sift.
- 3/4 cup or 180 grams of milk plus 2 tbsp
- 2 tsp of vanilla (12 grams)
- 1 tsp of salt about 6 grams (use finer salt)
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Rubber spatula
- Offset spatula
- 3 pcs 8×2 round cake pans
- Electric mixer
- Sieve
- Food weighing scale
GreaterGoods Digital Food Kitchen Scale, Multifunction Scale Measures in Grams and Ounces
Step by Step Instructions
For The Chocolate Chip Yellow Cake
Step 1
First and foremost, ensure to preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Then, grease and dust your three cake pans with flour.
Step 3
Afterward, use an electric mixer to combine your yellow cake mix and cake flour. After that, whisk in a mixing bowl for about 30 seconds.
Step 4
Combine the sour cream, water, eggs, and vanilla in a separate mixing bowl. Then, add the yellow cake and flour mixture to the sour cream mixture. After that, set your electric mixer to medium speed. Then, beat for two minutes. Stop after a minute, scrape the bowl’s sides and bottom using a rubber spatula. Afterward, beat for another minute.
Step 5
Then, fold the mini chocolate chips in the yellow cake batter using a rubber spatula.
Step 6
Afterward, pour your cake batter onto your prepared cake pans. After that, divide the batter equally.
Step 7
Next, bake your cake for 22 to 25 minutes or until cooked. Check by pressing or by using a toothpick.
Step 8
Lastly, take your yellow cake out of the oven and onto a cooling wire rack. And let it sit for 20 minutes. Then, make sure to turn it over to let it cool completely. After that, set aside for later.
For The Chocolate Buttercream
Step 1
First of all, place the softened unsalted butter into a mixing bowl. And mix at low to medium speed until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy.
Step 2
Afterward, add the vanilla and blend it into the creamed butter. Then, add the powdered sugar, salt, and cocoa powder. Also, include most of the milk. With that, make sure to begin mixing at a low speed to avoid making a mess.
Step 3
Finally, continue to mix the mixture and then add the remaining milk if needed. Afterward, beat for about 5 to 6 minutes to achieve the consistency that you are looking for. Remember, the process may take longer if using a hand mixer. So with that, you can add one tablespoon of milk at a time. Do this if you think that the frosting is too thick. And then put more powdered sugar if the frosting is too soft.
Cake Assembly
Step 1
First of all, place a bit of frosting on your cake board. And place the first layer of your cake.
Step 2
After that, add more frosting on top of your first cake layer. And spread it evenly using an offset spatula. Next, add mini chocolate chips on top of the flattened frosting. With this, repeat the process until you can place your last layer of cake.
Step 3
Then, make sure to crumb coat your stacked cake and place it in the chiller or refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step 4
Afterward, frost your cake entirely. Smoothen the top and sides of your cake using a long offset spatula. Or you could use a bench scraper. Keep in mind that you can design your cake however you like. For example, you can pipe large swirls on top of the cake. And place the mini chocolate chip cookies on each swirl.
Step 5
Lastly, cut and serve the cake. Or you can place the finished cake on the refrigerator to chill before serving.
Tips And Tricks For Chocolate Chip Cake With Yellow Cake Mix
Using cake mix is okay. But, adding more ingredients to the cake mix can elevate the taste of the cake mix even more. Because of the fat content of the sour cream, it elevates the taste of the cake mix. In addition to that, it also adds moisture.
Moreover, the sour cream also thickens the cake batter. Because of this, it allows the mini chocolate chips to suspend better in the cake batter as it bakes.
Furthermore, using brown sugar for this cake recipe instead of white sugar makes this recipe more delicious. The main reason is that its flavor combines perfectly with the cake batter. Likewise, brown sugar also adds moisture to the cake because of the molasses.
Additionally, you can use cake flour for many scratch recipes because it is low in protein. For this reason, it is nice to use in cake recipes as it has less gluten formed when mixing. Also, using cake flour will result in a softer cake with a finer crumb. However, if you do not have cake flour in your pantry, you can always use all-purpose flour. And do not worry, you will still have good results.
Remember, when adding chocolate chips to the cake batter, the chocolate chips tend to rest at the bottom. Also, rolling the chocolate chips in flour before adding them to the batter does not produce good results.
Moreover, the trick is to make a thicker batter and using lightweight add-ins like chocolate chips. That is why please use mini chocolate chips for this recipe to achieve the best results.
In addition to that, you can apply this technique when using different add-ins like pecans or blueberries. With that, make sure that your add-ins are smaller and lighter.
Yellow Cake With Chocolate Chips
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring cups
- 3 pcs 8×2 round cake pans
- Sieve
- Food weighing scale
Ingredients
For The Chocolate Chip Yellow Cake
- Box of sifted yellow cake mix you can use any brand that you prefer
- 1 cup of cake flour 121 grams
- 1 cup of light brown sugar 200 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt 3 grams
- 1 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt you can also use greek yogurt about 242 grams
- 1 cup of water 240 grams
- 3 pcs of eggs whole
- 1 tbsp of canola oil 8 grams
- 2 tsp of vanilla 8 grams
- 1 cup of mini chocolate chips about 170 grams you can add more if you want
- Mini chocolate chips for garnish optional
For The Chocolate Buttercream
- 3 pcs of unsalted butter sticks, softened, and about 339 grams.
- 8 cups of powdered sugar about 920 grams you can add more if needed
- Cup of unsweetened cocoa powder refrain from using Dutch-processed measure, then sift.
- 3/4 cup or 180 grams of milk plus 2 tbsp
- 2 tsp of vanilla 12 grams
- 1 tsp of salt about 6 grams use finer salt
Instructions
For The Chocolate Chip Yellow Cake
- First and foremost, ensure to preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Then, grease and dust your three cake pans with flour.
- Afterward, use an electric mixer to combine your yellow cake mix and cake flour. After that, whisk in a mixing bowl for about 30 seconds.
- Combine the sour cream, water, eggs, and vanilla in a separate mixing bowl. Then, add the yellow cake and flour mixture to the sour cream mixture. After that, set your electric mixer to medium speed. Then, beat for two minutes. Stop after a minute, scrape the bowl’s sides and bottom using a rubber spatula. Afterward, beat for another minute.
- Then, fold the mini chocolate chips in the yellow cake batter using a rubber spatula.
- Afterward, pour your cake batter onto your prepared cake pans. After that, divide the batter equally.
- Next, bake your cake for 22 to 25 minutes or until cooked. Check by pressing or by using a toothpick.
- Lastly, take your yellow cake out of the oven and onto a cooling wire rack. And let it sit for 20 minutes. Then, make sure to turn it over to let it cool completely. After that, set aside for later.
For The Chocolate Buttercream
- First of all, place the softened unsalted butter into a mixing bowl. And mix at low to medium speed until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy.
- Afterward, add the vanilla and blend it into the creamed butter. Then, add the powdered sugar, salt, and cocoa powder. Also, include most of the milk. With that, make sure to begin mixing at a low speed to avoid making a mess.
- Finally, continue to mix the mixture and then add the remaining milk if needed. Afterward, beat for about 5 to 6 minutes to achieve the consistency that you are looking for. Remember, the process may take longer if using a hand mixer. So with that, you can add one tablespoon of milk at a time. Do this if you think that the frosting is too thick. And then put more powdered sugar if the frosting is too soft.
Cake Assembly
- First of all, place a bit of frosting on your cake board. And place the first layer of your cake.
- After that, add more frosting on top of your first cake layer. And spread it evenly using an offset spatula. Next, add mini chocolate chips on top of the flattened frosting. With this, repeat the process until you can place your last layer of cake.
- Then, make sure to crumb coat your stacked cake and place it in the chiller or refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Afterward, frost your cake entirely. Smoothen the top and sides of your cake using a long offset spatula. Or you could use a bench scraper. Keep in mind that you can design your cake however you like. For example, you can pipe large swirls on top of the cake. And place the mini chocolate chip cookies on each swirl.
- Lastly, cut and serve the cake. Or you can place the finished cake on the refrigerator to chill before serving.
Notes
Zarah is an experienced pastry chef whose creations have delighted countless customers. With a passion for baking, Zarah has developed a unique style that combines classic techniques with modern flavors. Her desserts are consistently crafted with the finest ingredients, and her attention to detail is evident in the stunning and delectable results. Zarah has a wealth of experience in the pastry kitchen, and loves to share her knowledge with others. Whether it is teaching a class or creating a custom cake for a special occasion, Zarah is committed to making sure every customer is satisfied.