I've made this yellow cake twice before and it was the best!
2 cups flour minus 2 tablespoons that is replaced with corn starch
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
8 egg yolks or 4 whole eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk

I made it yesterday and it was terrible! It was way too dry even going into the pan. When I tried dropping it on counter to level before putting it into the oven, it was so thick it would barely move. I baked it at 300 until finished (according to toothpick). When done, I tried to remove from the well-greased/floured pan, and it stuck completely. I finally got it out, but it came out in pieces. It also tasted really eggy. I'm a pretty new baker - maybe made 20 or so cakes, always from scratch, and they have always turned out great. I did everything the same. I double checked the ingredients that I used. I have no idea what could've happened. Any insight??? The only difference was that I didn't have the eggs (I used 4 whole instead of 8 yolks - does that matter...but then again...that's what I did before and it was fine, so it can't be that either!) at room temperature, so I put them in warm water for about 5 minutes. Would that have made a difference? The butter was only out of the fridge for about 20 minutes. Anyone?

did the cake look like it sunk in the middle?? i dont think the eggs were a problem. have you checked your baking powder because sometimes it could cause that problem. Once I was making pound cake and they kept falling, so I called my aunt and she asked if my baking powder was fresh. I told her I just bought it, but I looked at the date and it was expired. bummer... She also told me to make sure I keep it in a cool place to keep it fresh. always start with room temp ingredients, especially for scratch recipe. it make a difference.

Thanks for the tips. I did check! Baking powder is good - doesn't expire for 9 months. I just don't get it! I know about the room temperature, and I usually do, but yesterday I just didn't have time. I improvised. I've improvised before, though, and it's never done this. It's just so weird!

Triplicate post, please also see:

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-626400-.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-626409-.html

HTH