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How to Make the Best Yellow Sheet Cake Recipe

You are sure to enjoy our mouthwatering yellow sheet cake recipe. Indulge in a light and fluffy cake with a tender crumb that is sure to impress your family and friends.  

yellow sheet cake recipe

There’s something truly special about a homemade yellow sheet cake. 

You may recognize this classic yellow cake recipe as the original birthday cake from your childhood. 

The best part about baking delicious sheet cakes like this one, a funfetti sheet cake or a Texas sheet cake is how easy they are for a novice baker to start with. 

Our original recipe yields a vanilla cake that offers a buttery yellow cake that is perfectly moist and full of flavor. 

You can top this Yellow Sheet Cake with any frosting you like! Instead of the whipped cream topping try a chocolate frosting recipe. 

Our easy vanilla sheet cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. It’s perfect as a birthday cake, an easy dessert for a potluck, or if you’re simply craving a homemade treat.

yellow sheet cake recipe

What is a sheet cake?

A sheet cake is a type of cake that is baked in a large, shallow rectangular or square pan called a sheet pan. It is typically single-layered. Sheet cakes are perfect for feeding a large crowd.

They are popular for their simplicity and ease of preparation, as well as their versatility in terms of flavor and decoration. Sheet cakes can be cut into squares or rectangles and are commonly frosted or decorated with various toppings, such as buttercream frosting, whipped cream, or glaze.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

  • 1 – 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs

For the Raspberry Glaze and frosting:

  • 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
  • ½ cup Sugar
  • 6 ounce container Fresh Raspberries
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 8 oz container whipped topping
yellow sheet cake recipe

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. 

For a sheet cake, use a large rectangular baking pan with high sides. 

Bring your eggs to room temperature before starting the recipe. This helps create a smoother batter and ensures even baking.

Add the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs to a large mixing bowl, and beat on high speed for 3 minutes. 

Mix the cake batter just until the ingredients are incorporated, being careful not to overwork it.

yellow sheet cake recipe

Pour batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

yellow sheet cake recipe

Remove the cake from the oven. Allow the cake to cool in the cake pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. 

To make the raspberry glaze, mix the cornstarch and sugar together in a small bowl with a whisk.

Add the raspberries and lemon juice to a small saucepan, and add the cornstarch and sugar mixture, then stir well.

Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring often, while chopping the berries with the spatula.

Once the mixture is done, refrigerate for 2 hours.

Once the cake and glaze has cooled, spread the mixture over the entire surface of the cake.

Top with whipped topping.

While the flavor of yellow cake is delicious on its own, you can also add flavor variations by incorporating extracts such as vanilla extract, almond extract, or lemon. Get creative and customize the cake to your taste preferences.

yellow sheet cake recipe

Relevant Recipes:

yellow sheet cake recipe

How to Frost a Sheet Cake

  • Make sure the cake has cooled completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting or sliding off.
  • Add a generous amount of frosting to the top of the cake and spread it evenly using the spatula. Start from the center and work your way towards the edges, smoothing the frosting as you go.
  • Allow the frosted cake to set before serving or storing the cake.
yellow sheet cake recipe

Easy Yellow Sheet Cake FAQ’s

How long to bake a 9×13 yellow sheet cake?

The bake time for a 9×13 yellow sheet cake can vary depending on the recipe and the specific oven. However, as a general guideline, you can expect a 9×13 sheet cake to bake for approximately 25 to 35 minutes at a temperature of 350°F.

It’s always recommended to start checking for doneness around the 25-minute mark and continue baking until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. 


Is a sheet cake the same as a regular cake?


A sheet cake is a type of cake that is baked in a large, shallow pan, typically a rectangular or square shape. It is different from a regular cake, which is typically baked in round or layered pans. The main difference is in the shape and size of the cake.

Sheet cake recipes are usually single-layer cakes that can be easily cut into squares or rectangles for serving. Regular cakes, on the other hand, are more commonly seen as round or layered cakes. 

How many layers should a sheet cake be?

A sheet cake is typically a single-layer cake, meaning it is baked in a shallow pan and does not have multiple cake layers like a traditional layered cake. 

How many cake mixes for a sheet cake?

The number of cake mixes needed for a sheet cake depends on the size of the sheet cake you want to bake. Typically, a standard cake mix is meant to make one 9×13-inch rectangular cake. 

Why is yellow cake so good?

The yellow cake flavor is beloved for its delicious flavor and versatility. Its appeal of a perfect yellow cake lies in its buttery and slightly sweet taste, which is achieved by using ingredients such as butter, sugar, and vanilla. 

yellow sheet cake recipe

Yellow Sheet Cake Recipe

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
You are sure to enjoy our mouthwatering yellow sheet cake recipe. Indulge in a light and fluffy cake with a tender crumb that is sure to impress your family and friends.  

Ingredients

  • For the cake:
  • 1 - 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • For the Raspberry Glaze and frosting:
  • 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
  • ½ cup Sugar
  • 6 ounce container Fresh Raspberries
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 8 oz container whipped topping

Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. 

For a sheet cake, use a large rectangular baking pan with high sides. 

Add the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs to a large mixing bowl, and beat on high speed for 3 minutes. 

Pour batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven. Allow the cake to cool in the cake pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. 

To make the raspberry glaze, mix the cornstarch and sugar together in a small bowl with a whisk.

Add the raspberries and lemon juice to a small saucepan, and add the cornstarch and sugar mixture, then stir well.

Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring often, while chopping the berries with the spatula.

Once the mixture is done, refrigerate for 2 hours.

Once the cake and glaze has cooled, spread the mixture over the entire surface of the cake, then top with whipped topping.

Notes

While the flavor of yellow cake is delicious on its own, you can also add flavor variations by incorporating extracts such as vanilla extract, almond extract, or lemon. Get creative and customize the cake to your taste preferences.

Bring your eggs to room temperature before starting the recipe. This helps create a smoother batter and ensures even baking.

Mix the cake batter just until the ingredients are incorporated, being careful not to overwork it.

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