Sometimes you just need cake, right? Not a fussy, multi-layered affair, but a simple, comforting slice of goodness that feels like a warm hug. This Yogurt Cake Recipe is exactly that – reliably delicious, unbelievably moist (thanks to a secret weapon!), and easy enough to whip up even when life feels a bit chaotic. Forget dry, crumbly disappointments; this moist Greek yogurt cake delivers every single time, making it one of my go-to tricks when I need to make a cake moist and fluffy without any drama. It’s the kind of cake perfect with coffee, tea, or just sneaking a bite standing at the counter.
What is a Yogurt Cake?
A yogurt cake is pretty much what it sounds like – a cake that uses yogurt as a key ingredient, often replacing some or all of the traditional liquid like milk or buttermilk. Adding yogurt, especially tangy, thick Greek yogurt, does magical things: it adds incredible moisture, creates a tender crumb, and lends a subtle background tang that balances the sweetness beautifully. It results in a cake that’s rich but not heavy, often with a lovely golden crust. It’s a classic concept in many European kitchens (my Nonna made a version with ricotta that was heavenly!), and using Greek yogurt specifically makes this greek yogurt cake extra lush. It’s a fantastic example of baking with yogurt for moisture. I adore simple yogurt cakes, but seeing flavor combinations like the lemon berry yogurt cake over on Sally’s Baking Addiction always reminds me how versatile this humble cake can be.
Why This Works
Beyond just being delicious, this Yogurt Cake Recipe has a lot going for it, especially for busy home cooks:
- Seriously Moist: The Greek yogurt guarantees a tender, moist greek yogurt cake that stays fresh longer than many other cakes. No kidding!
- Super Simple: This is an easy yogurt cake – straightforward mixing, common ingredients, no complicated steps. Perfect for baking with kids, too (if you don’t mind a little flour chaos!).
- Versatile Base: Enjoy it plain, dust it with powdered sugar, add a simple glaze, or top it with fruit. It’s delicious any way you slice it.
- Uses Pantry Staples: Chances are you have most, if not all, of the ingredients on hand, especially if you keep Greek yogurt stocked like I do. It’s one of the many reasons I find baking with Greek yogurt so convenient.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It has a lovely, subtle flavor that appeals to pretty much everyone, from picky toddlers to discerning adults.
Ingredients
What You’ll Need
Let’s gather our goodies for this delightful cake! (Standard US measurements)
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour: Spooned and leveled for accuracy.
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder: Gives our cake its lovely lift.
- ½ teaspoon Salt: Balances all the flavors.
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and texture.
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter, Softened: Make sure it’s properly softened (not melted!) for good creaming.
- 2 large Eggs: Room temperature is best for incorporating smoothly.
- 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt: The star! Use full-fat (5% or whole milk) or 2% for the best flavor and moisture. Fage or Stonyfield are my usual go-tos – the same thick stuff I use for my fluffy Greek yogurt pancakes.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Optional: Zest of 1 Lemon: For a bright, fresh flavor variation (see swaps!).
Ingredient Swaps
Need to adjust? No worries!
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (containing xanthan gum).
- Dairy-Free: Use a thick, plain, unsweetened dairy-free Greek-style yogurt (coconut or almond based) and a good plant-based butter substitute. Results might vary slightly in richness.
- Lemon Greek Yogurt Cake: Add the zest of 1 large lemon (or 2 small) along with the vanilla for a lovely lemon greek yogurt cake. You can even make a simple lemon glaze (powdered sugar + lemon juice) to drizzle on top!
- Different Fat: You can often substitute ½ cup of neutral oil (like vegetable or canola) for the melted butter for an even moister cake, though you’ll lose some butter flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s bake this beauty!
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard loaf pan (around 8.5×4.5 inches) or an 8-inch round cake pan. Lining the bottom with parchment paper makes removal a breeze.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer with paddle attachment), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t skimp on this step – it incorporates air! This is key for how to make moist cake with greek yogurt that’s also light.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Stir in the vanilla extract (and lemon zest, if using).
- Alternate Dry & Wet: Reduce mixer speed to low. Add about one-third of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Add half of the Greek yogurt, mixing until just combined. Repeat, adding another third of the dry ingredients, the remaining yogurt, and finally the last third of the dry ingredients. Mix only until the last streaks of flour disappear. Do not overmix! Overmixing = tough cake.
- Pour & Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-50 minutes (loaf pan) or 30-35 minutes (round pan), or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Start checking on the earlier side.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto the rack to cool completely. This cake is simpler to handle than some fancier ones, like perhaps my favorite Mary Berry chocolate cake recipe, but still deserves gentle treatment!
Ways to Enjoy Yogurt Cake
This simple cake shines in many ways:
- Simply Dust: A light dusting of powdered sugar is classic and elegant.
- With Coffee or Tea: The absolute perfect afternoon pick-me-up. This truly makes it the best yogurt cake recipe for those quiet moments.
- Fruity Friend: Serve slices with fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) and maybe a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped Greek yogurt topping.
- Glazed Over: Whisk together powdered sugar with a little milk, lemon juice, or orange juice for a simple glaze to drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Toasted Treat: Okay, try this: lightly toast a slightly older slice and spread with butter. Mamma mia!
Time-Saving Tips
Shortcuts
- Room Temp Ingredients Faster: Forgot to take out butter/eggs? Cut butter into small cubes (it softens faster), and place eggs in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5-10 minutes.
- Pre-Measure: Measure out your dry ingredients into one bowl and wet (yogurt, vanilla) into another the night before or earlier in the day if you know you’ll be short on time.
Pro Tips
- Properly Softened Butter: It should give slightly when pressed but still hold its shape. Too cold = won’t cream well; too melty = greasy cake.
- Don’t Overmix (Again!): Seriously, mix the flour in just until combined. A few tiny streaks are better than overdoing it. This preserves that tender moist greek yogurt cake texture.
- Check for Doneness Correctly: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick in the center of the cake. Relying only on visual cues or touching the top can be deceiving.
Storage and Freezing Tips
- Storage: This cake stays wonderfully moist! Store cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Yes, it freezes well! Wrap the completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil or place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature.
Yogurt Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Medium Bowl
- Large bowl
- Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand)
- Whisk
- Spatula
- 8.5×4.5 inch loaf pan (or 8-inch round cake pan)
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden skewer or toothpick
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 2 large Eggs room temperature
- 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt full-fat or 2% recommended
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Optional: Zest of 1 Lemon
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8.5×4.5 inch loaf pan or an 8-inch round pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes).
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla (and lemon zest, if using).
- Alternate Dry & Wet: Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the Greek yogurt in two parts (Dry-Wet-Dry-Wet-Dry). Mix *only* until the last streaks of flour disappear. Do not overmix.
- Pour & Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-50 minutes (loaf pan) or 30-35 minutes (round pan), or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then invert onto the rack to cool completely.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you make a moist yogurt cake?
The key is using full-fat Greek yogurt! Also, ensure you cream the butter and sugar properly, don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added, and don’t overbake it. Following these steps is how to make moist cake with greek yogurt successfully.
2. Can you use Greek yogurt in cake baking?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt is fantastic in cakes. It adds moisture, tenderness, a subtle tang, and even a slight protein boost compared to just using milk.
3. What does yogurt do in a cake recipe?
Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, adds moisture (thanks to its water and fat content), acidity (which tenderizes gluten and reacts with baking soda if used), and flavor (a subtle tang). It contributes significantly to a tender crumb and helps keep the cake from drying out – it’s excellent for baking with yogurt for moisture.
4. Is yogurt cake better than regular cake?
“Better” is subjective! Yogurt cakes tend to be moister and often a bit denser (in a good way!) with a slight tang compared to lighter, fluffier cakes made with just milk or buttermilk. If you love a super moist, tender cake that’s not overly sweet, you might prefer a greek yogurt cake.
5. What type of yogurt is best for baking cakes?
Generally, plain, full-fat (whole milk or 5%) Greek yogurt is best for baking cakes. Its thickness adds richness and moisture without making the batter too thin. Avoid flavored or low-fat/non-fat yogurts, as they can affect the texture and moisture level.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – a truly reliable, wonderfully moist greek yogurt cake recipe that’s bound to become a staple in your baking rotation. It’s simple enough for any day, delicious enough for company, and forgiving enough even if your kitchen occasionally looks like a tornado hit it (no judgment here!). It’s proof that sometimes the most unassuming recipes are the real keepers.
Grab your apron, maybe put on some Sinatra for a mini kitchen dance party, and bake yourself a little slice of happiness. Let me know if you try it, or if you add your own twists! Buon appetito!
