Anyone uses the Classic Yellow recipe by By Sylvia Weinstock

I may be the only one that says this but I did not like Sylvia's Yellow cake recipe. I like a moist dense cake and I found this to be a bit on the dry side. I didn't over bake. I made 3 tiers and they all came out the same.

I also was unimpressed with the SW cake, even with adjustments. I use Warren Brown's with adjustments. It's a butter based cake with half and half.

The most important issue with a yellow cake is the flavoring. Quality ingredients are needed here because they are front and center.

My suggestions are NM vanilla bean paste, homemade vanilla, and one of the following: Makers Mark or Knob Creek bourbon, Hennessy Cognac.

I do take a suggestion from SW's new recipe. I add about 1/4 tsp ginger and it does add an additional depth of flavor.

The Bourbon or Cognac don't add an alcohol flavor. They just compliment the vanilla and other ingredients.

I did adjust SW's new recipe by using only 1/3 to 1/4 c milk and it was better, but still not my favorite.

Clear vanilla is not made from vanilla, which is why the taste isn't the same. It is used as a "sort of" vanilla flavoring that will not turn a white icing (or cake) off white or beige, like real vanilla will. Personally, I'd rather use real vanilla and live with the off-white color.

I have never made vanilla at home, but it is evidently very good and very inexpensive as compared with buying good-quality vanilla extract.

Good homemade extract made correctly is just as expensive as name brands. If you make it with poor quality or even average quality vodka and beans, or the wrong ratios, your results wil be no better than the cheap ones. With cheap vodka, you have spent all of that time and money to make cheap vanilla. A brand like Nielson Massey would be better than this kind of homemade vanilla. Some will say vanilla with cheap vodkas are good, but maybe only better than poor vanillas.

The clear vanilla and store brands including McCormick's are why I posted. If it's chocolate cake, or any besides white and yellow, the vanilla is a just an ingredient, but in those two cakes and any light cake, the vanilla is prominent. If the vanilla is just ok, even the best recipe will only be ok or average.

My best advice would be to invest in Nielson Massey vanilla or spend a little more for the premium NM vanilla bean paste. It will be the single most quality influence on the final product. You will notice the difference. I also tend to be a little heavy handed with fine vanillas, especially the paste because it does not have the bitter tones of extract with more alcohol. It also doesn't evaporate like extract, so add that into your decision to add more.

I would guess that I use 1 tbsp of vbp plus homemade extract in my milder cakes. I also add one to 3 tbsp of Hennessy to my yellow, holding back a little on the vanillas. The Hennessy is actually lower proof than vanilla extract, so a tiny bit in the batter of even kids' cakes will be less alcohol than the original recipe with vanilla. Two tbps will only be detected if you tell, and three will have a bolder taste, similar to those cakes made with fine bourbons. Still nowhere near as strong as alcohol cakes, just a hint and another depth of flavor. The ginger compliments both. I know you can get minis in Makers and Knob Creek, but Hennessy may be only available in pints, about$13.00, but it will last a long time.

You've piqued my curiosity with this scp1127, adding cognac or bourbon to yellow cake. Which of the two do you prefer?

EDIT: to answer the OP. I've found Sylvia's original yellow cake to be very a finicky recipe and not worth the trouble. So I often tell folks trying it for the first (few) time(s) don't get frustrated with yourself, the recipe has issues. Some people have been able to make it work for them. Me? Not so much. It always baked flat-ish for me. I loved the flavor but most of the other properties of the cake left a lot to be desired.

vgcea, many top chefs add fine bourbons and cognacs to yellow cakes. They are incredible.

But just like bad vodka, it would be better to leave it out before using cheap. That's why I was specific in brands.

Hennessy is the sweetest of the fine cognacs found in every store. Remy Martin and Courvoisier are also good, just not as good in dessert.

People are so stuck on vanilla as the only flavoring in baking and that limits the opportunities. Have you ever had a southern bread pudding with a bourbon sauce? It's a favorite in this region.

Both Cognac and Bourbon have great taste notes for baking, used sparingly or generously.

PM me for further information.

This yellow cake is my all time favorite scratch recipe. I always get excellent results with it. Would love to try other SW recipes.

Not that I am as seasoned as most on here but my few attempts to try SW both classic and new were not good. I never could get it to cook right no matter what I tried.

I'm still experimenting but so far my audience (family and coworkers) has preferred Beyond Buttercream's posted cake and CakeLove (just made that one for a coworkers birthday today) over my various SW attempts. The cakelove sank in the middle but going to try it again.

pbunder, make sure your butter is not too soft. I have never had it sink, in fact it's one of the sturdier cakes I make. Check your oven temp with a thermometer. I also use heating nails and baking strips on every cake, every size.

I keep waiting for a customer to order a white cake just to try FromScratch's. She's such a knowledgeable baker, I don't even worry about a trial run. I'm sure it's good.

I just have found so many cakes with a better crumb and structure than SW's. I even experimented with a combo of the old and new recipes and my own adjustments, and still I wasn't impressed. For flavor, any good cake can be made with good flavor.

The WB, Cake Love recipe can be adjusted, adapted, changed in flavor, candy and cookies added to the cupcakes, even Absinthe was good on this cake. I love the versatility.