A dreamy combination of moist yellow cake and rich chocolate velvet frosting — elegant, nostalgic, and indulgently delicious.

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🍰 Ingredients

Yellow Cake Layers:

• 3 cups cake flour, sifted

• 2½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp 🧈

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs, room temp 🥚

• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 🍦

• 1¼ cups buttermilk, room temp 🥛

• ¼ cup sour cream

• A pinch of yellow food coloring 🌼 (optional)

Chocolate Velvet Frosting:

• 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temp

• 4½ cups powdered sugar, sifted

• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process recommended) 🍫

• 6 tbsp heavy cream (plus more if needed)

• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

• Optional: 4 oz melted semisweet chocolate (cooled slightly, for deeper flavor)

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👩‍🍳 Preparation

1. Bake the Cake Layers:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper, dust lightly with flour.

• In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

• In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (3–5 min).

• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla.

• Alternate adding flour mixture with buttermilk and sour cream. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Don’t overmix.

• Divide batter evenly into pans, tap to remove air bubbles.

• Bake for 25–30 min, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

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2. Make the Frosting:

• Beat softened butter until creamy.

• Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa, beating on low.

• Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy (add more cream if needed).

• Optionally, fold in melted chocolate for richer depth.

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3. Assemble the Cake:

• Place one cake layer on a stand and spread a layer of frosting.

• Repeat with remaining layers.

• Frost the top and sides of the cake generously.

• Decorate with rustic swirls or piping.

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❄️ Chill, Slice & Serve:

• Refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing.

• Bring to room temp before serving for best flavor.