This is adapted from the recipe featured on the back of Joy Ice Cream Cone boxes. Joy sells a special baking and storage pan that fits the cones perfectly, but I've found that a popover pan works perfectly. (And a regular cupcake pan should work, too—you may need to use aluminum foil to stuff the pan so the cones don't shift too much in the oven.) More

I've made a lot of fancy flavored birthday cakes for other people, but when my birthday rolls around, I prefer the same old-school, yellow cake that I remember my mom making for me. Hers was made from a boxed mix, but my version is homemade. This cake tastes how good yellow cake should; buttery, light, and moist. I use a soaker of simple syrup with real vanilla bean to ensure that the layers pack extra moisture and flavor. More