Our No-Fail Yogurt Cake Recipe Is Perfect Even if You "Don't Bake" (2024)

We’ve all had moments when a cake craving strikes and you’re not prepared. Let this tender yogurt cake be the answer. It uses pantry ingredients to create a no-frills, fluffy, moist, and barely sweet cake.

This truly is an anytime-of-day cake, whether you eat it for dessert, breakfast, or with your afternoon cup of tea or coffee. Serve it as-is, dust it with powdered sugar, pile it with whipped cream and fresh berries or even a dollop of yogurt.

This is a humble, homey, delicately sweet treat that will become a household favorite.

The Origins of Yogurt Cake

Yogurt cake, or gâteau au yaourt, is a classic French baked good. It’s so simple, it’s often the first thing French children are taught to bake and, traditionally, the ingredients were measured out in small, individual yogurt cups. It’s a little bit like the French version of pound cake. It’s flavored simply like pound cake too, with just a splash of vanilla.

The Taste and Texture of Yogurt Cake

Yogurt cake celebrates its plainness and that’s what I love about it! It’s tender and fluffy, barely sweet, and has a wonderful hint of tang from the yogurt.

The yogurt and oil provide lots of moisture, so it can sit on your counter for a few days without any fear of it drying out. In fact, I actually prefer it on day two, once the texture softens even more.

The Best Yogurt to Use in Baking

This is a flexible, pantry staple cake, and the ingredients prove it. Both Greek or plain yogurt can be used, so you don’t have to run out to the store as long as you have one of the two in your fridge.

While you can technically bake this cake with nonfat or low-fat yogurt, its texture and flavor are really the best when made with whole milk, full fat yogurt, as the fat in the yogurt is what lends the cake its signature tenderness and richness. It’s also what is traditionally used in the original French version.

If you're feeling ambitious or you already are in the practice you can make your own Homemade Greek Yogurt. It's easier than you might think.

Swaps and Substitutions

Beyond the yogurt’s flexibility, there is lots of wiggle room in the remaining ingredients, too.

• A neutral oil like vegetable oil or canola oil won’t lend any flavor to the cake, while olive oil will provide a hint of savory flavor that’s buttery and a touch peppery. Choose whichever oil you like—or really, whatever you happen to currently have in your pantry.
• You can swap up to half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour in this recipe. The results will be a nuttier and denser cake that would be nice for breakfast, especially toasted.
• Swap up to 1/2 cup of almond flour for the all-purpose flour, which will make the cake even more tender and lend some added richness.
• Bake in a 9-inch round cake pan instead of a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Check for doneness at the 40 minute mark.
• Double the recipe and bake it in a Bundt cake pan. It will still take about 45 minutes of baking time when using a Bundt pan.

Ways to Flavor Yogurt Cake

Since it’s such a basic cake, you can absolutely have fun with flavors and add-ins.

My favorite simple twist is to add fresh lemon zest to the batter for added brightness. I also love stirring in a bit of tea leaves to make this Earl Grey Yogurt Cake, which really dresses the cake up.

Almond extract makes for a lovely vanilla extract substitute, if you have it and enjoy its marzipan-like flavor. Or try stirring a handful of chopped chocolate into the batter. While not traditional, there’s no denying it’s a family-pleasing addition.

Storing Tips

This cake keeps exceptionally well. Store it well wrapped on the counter for up to 5 days. Alternatively, it can be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost it on the counter overnight before serving at room temperature.

More Moist and Delectable Cake Recipes

• Vanilla Pound Cake
• Apple Sauce Spiced Cake
• Almond Pound Cake with Orange Glaze
• Banana Sheet Cake
• Pear Cake with Cinnamon Sugar