Cakes are versatile desserts suited for any occasion, and finding the perfect recipe can be a sweet adventure.
With endless flavor possibilities from classic vanilla to rich chocolate and fruity delights, there’s no shortage of options to satisfy your cravings.
Let’s explore some top cake recipes that will elevate your baking skills and impress your family and friends.
Classic Vanilla Cake
Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 8″ cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper.
Ingredients: Cream together butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until well-combined. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Batter: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the creamed mixture. Mix until you have a thick batter.
Baking: Divide the batter evenly into the cake pans and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 8 oz dark chocolate
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl.
- Mix in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Combine flour and baking soda, and add to the mixture.
- Bake in two 9″ cake pans for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy your chocolate fudge cake!
Red Velvet Cake
A classic Red Velvet Cake offers a moist, tender texture and a rich, velvety flavor. To make the perfect version, follow these steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), and prepare cake pans.
- In a bowl, sift together flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
- Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
- Add in your dry ingredients and blend well.
For the frosting, combine butter and cream cheese. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Once your cake has cooled, frost and enjoy!
Carrot Cake
To make a delicious carrot cake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix both sets of ingredients well before folding in grated carrots.
Recommended baking times:
- 9×13-inch pan: 35-45 minutes
- 8-inch round pan: 35-40 minutes
- Cupcakes: 20-25 minutes
Check for doneness with a toothpick. Once baked, let it cool before frosting with cream cheese frosting. Enjoy your homemade carrot cake!
Coconut Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups cake flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon coconut extract
- ¾ cup canned coconut milk
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Combine the dry ingredients: cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Beat the eggs, sugar, and extracts until thick and golden. Gradually mix in dry ingredients. Stir in coconut milk until well combined.
Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake and enjoy!
Lemon Drizzle Cake
A Lemon Drizzle Cake is perfect for a refreshing treat. Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C). Combine sugar, butter, and eggs, then gradually add sifted flour and baking powder. Add milk and lemon zest, mixing well. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan, and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Once cooled, poke holes in the cake and pour a lemon drizzle topping made of sugar and lemon juice. Enjoy your lemony delight!
Victoria Sponge Cake
To make a classic Victoria Sponge Cake, prepare two 8-inch round cake pans and preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Mix the dry ingredients, then cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Gradually add eggs and flour. Finally, divide the batter evenly and bake until golden brown.
Here’s a brief summary of the steps:
- Preheat oven and prepare cake pans
- Mix dry ingredients
- Cream butter and sugar
- Add eggs and flour
- Divide batter and bake
Happy baking!
Pumpkin Spice Cake
A delightful Pumpkin Spice Cake awaits you! Start by whisking oil, eggs, sugars, pumpkin, and vanilla until combined. In a separate bowl, mix your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Combine with the wet mixture, then pour into a greased pan. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!
- Wet Ingredients: oil, eggs, brown and granulated sugar, pumpkin, vanilla extract
- Dry Ingredients: flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, salt
- Baking Time & Temperature: 350°F for 30-36 minutes
Banana Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix. Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until combined. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- Pineapple rings and cherries
- Eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, pineapple juice, milk, and more:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9″ round cake pan. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger, then spoon into the pan. Arrange pineapple rings and cherries on top.
Step 2: In a bowl, combine dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, then incorporate flour mixture and pineapple juice alternately.
Step 3: Pour batter over fruit, and bake for 40-46 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. Enjoy your delicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake!
Angel Food Cake
Angel Food Cake is a light, fluffy dessert made primarily from egg whites, sugar, and cake flour. To make this cake, first preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a food processor or blender, pulse the sugar until fine and powdery.
In a large mixing bowl, combine egg whites, salt, and extract. Beat until the mixture is frothy, then gradually add sugar and cake flour. For a twist, consider lemon curd-filled angel food cake or substituting brown sugar. Bake for 25-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Enjoy!
Strawberry Shortcake
To make a Strawberry Shortcake, gather ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream, heavy whipping cream, and strawberries.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Blend sugar, oil, eggs, and extracts.
- Combine with dry ingredients.
- Add sour cream.
- Bake your cake.
- Whip the cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.
- Assemble the cake with layers of cream and strawberries.
Enjoy your delicious and concise Strawberry Shortcake!
Cinnamon Roll Cake
Ingredients: Cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, vanilla, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, flour, and powdered sugar.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×13 pan.
- Combine cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix for 2 minutes.
- Create the cinnamon swirl by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Pour batter into the pan and swirl the cinnamon mixture on top using a knife.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Drizzle glaze on top made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Tiramisu Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 8-inch round cake
- Coffee-Marsala soak
- Cocoa powder
- Tiramisu filling
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Prepare cake in 8-inch round pans and cool.
- Brush coffee-Marsala soak evenly on cooled cake.
- Sift cocoa powder (about 2 teaspoons) on top.
- Spread tiramisu filling onto the cake.
Black Forest Cake
Black Forest Cake is a delicious blend of rich chocolate sponge, cherry filling, and whipped cream. To make it, prepare three 8-inch cake pans and preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
Next, beat together oil, eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla. Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the wet, then add hot water or coffee to create a smooth batter. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Once cooled, layer the cake with cherry filling and whipped cream. Enjoy your homemade Black Forest Cake!
Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 32 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Cut out a parchment paper round for the bottom of your cake pan and line sides with a 4″ strip.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl. Press mixture onto the bottom of the cake pan and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Using a mixer, combine cream cheese, granulated sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each.
- Pour the filling onto cooled crust and bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until the center is almost set. Allow cheesecake to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Enjoy your delicious cheesecake!
Pound Cake
A classic pound cake requires four simple ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a bundt or loaf pan with nonstick spray. Combine softened butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time, mixing until combined. Gradually incorporate flour, and add a touch of vanilla extract for flavor. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy your moist, delicious pound cake!
Coffee Cake
In your quest for the perfect coffee cake, consider these key steps. First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Then, blend in butter for a crumbly texture.
For the topping, combine:
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Flour
- Salt
- Melted butter
Prepare a 9 x 13-inch pan, pour the batter, and sprinkle the topping. Bake and enjoy your delightful coffee cake!
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
This cake recipe is both lemony and delicious. To make it, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a Bundt or loaf pan. Sift flour, add baking powder, salt, and mix. Set aside. In a separate bowl, cream butter, sugar, lemon zest, then add in eggs. Combine with the dry ingredients and pour mixture into the pan. Remember to bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy your Lemon Poppy Seed Cake!
Caramel Cake
A Caramel Cake is a moist, delicious treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Here’s a brief guide on how to make one:
- In a bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla.
- Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients.
- Divide batter into greased and floured 8-inch cake tins.
- Bake at 160 °C (320°F) for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Enjoy your homemade caramel cake!
Hummingbird Cake
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Eggs
- Oil
- Vanilla extract
- Pineapple
- Bananas
- Pecans or walnuts
Preparation:
In a large bowl, whisk dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking soda). Stir in eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Add mashed bananas, pineapple, and pecans or walnuts. Mix well.
Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour batter evenly into pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Italian Cream Cake
Italian Cream Cake is a classic and delicious dessert. To create this cake, you’ll need ingredients like flour, egg whites, buttermilk, and baking soda. Remember to incorporate nuts and coconut for a perfect texture.
Here’s an outline of the steps to follow:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl: flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients: buttermilk, and egg whites.
- Blend dry and wet ingredients together for a smooth batter.
- Fold in nuts and coconut to the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and bake for around 30 minutes.
Once the cakes cool, frost them with a mixture of butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Enjoy your Italian Cream Cake!
Raspberry Swirl Cake
Looking for a delightful treat? Try this Raspberry Swirl Cake recipe. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar, add eggs gradually. Mix in the dry ingredients, and lastly, fold in raspberries gently.
Pour batter into a prepared pan, bake for 30-35 minutes. Let the cake cool before serving. Enjoy your delicious, moist Raspberry Swirl Cake.
Orange Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 orange (juice and zest)
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ cups sugar
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, and zest for 2-3 minutes. Add orange juice, and combine both mixtures, stirring until combined. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.