34 Essential Cake Recipes

Conquer any cake craving with our collection of fantastic, no-fail cake recipes. From rich red velvet to dreamy angel food, we've got you covered.

Italian Cream Cake

"This cake is worth the effort with really tender, flavorful layers. But if you want enough frosting to completely cover the entire cake, definitely double (or even triple) the frosting amounts to be safe."

-Amanda Gryphon

Homemade Angel Food Cake

"If there's a better angel food cake recipe out there, I haven't tasted it. I will never make a boxed angel food cake again!"

-GramCracker

Homemade Yellow Cake

"This cake recipe is fabulous! The flavor is far better than any box mix would be, and the texture is dense, moist and it rises perfectly."

-**Tinkerbell**

Wacky Cake

"This is by far the best homemade chocolate cake. We have used this recipe in my family for years. The best topping that we have for the cake is homemade applesauce. Wonderful comfort food!"

-ti5091

Vibrant Rainbow Cake

"Excellent recipe. My grandson requested a rainbow cake and he was not let down. This cake is moist, light and the colors were so vibrant. Thank you!"

-COOKERELLA

Best-Ever Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

"This really is the tastiest banana cake I've ever had — and since banana cake is my favorite, I've tried a LOT. This is my new official recipe!"

-bethrs

Red Velvet Cake

"I am a pastry chef with my own business and this red velvet cake is the best!"

-Baking Girl

Strawberry Shortcake

"The cake was perfectly dense but still light, so it held up to all the toppings and filling and didn't get soggy. The best part was the outside of the cake crusted and was almost like a biscuit!"

-mish1nyc

Chamomile Cake With Honey Buttercream

“A delightfully light and flavorful cake infused with Chamomile tea and perfectly topped with Honey Buttercream. Like drinking a cup of your favorite tea!”

-Wendy B.

Chocolate Banana Cake

"Loved this cake!"

-cattaca

Easy Lemon Marble Cheesecake

Cool, zesty cheesecake with a lemon curd swirl.

Southern Living's Basic Yellow Cake

"Finally, a perfect yellow cake."

-Captainflygirl

German Chocolate Cake with Coconut Pecan Frosting

"This cake is rich, decadent and much loved by my entire family. It's so good, and well worth the time it takes to make it."

-twinsplus14me

Basic Trifle Recipe

"This is a great recipe and it's always the first to go at a party. I've made this both with store bought and home-made angel food cake."

-greenlove00

Pink Champagne Poke Cake

No need to wait for a big celebration; pop the cork and bake this colorful champagne-infused cake anytime!

Chocolate Eclair Cake

"A terrific dessert, especially for the warmer spring time weather. Very rich and creamy, and satisfies the sweet tooth!"

-StephanieDiane

Dark Chocolate Cake

"This is easily the most moist, delicious chocolate cake I've ever had in my LIFE — and I've eaten a lot of chocolate cake!"

-MindyP679

Golden Spice Cake

"I love all the spices in this! It rose well and was a lovely gold color. I opted for using the buttermilk, and thought its flavor combined well with the spices."

-Roosie

14-Carat Carrot Cake

"This recipe is just like the cake that one of our local restaurants serves (they claim to have the best carrot cake in the United States). This recipe is the best!"

-AngelaSept

Almond-Sour Cream White Cake

"I love this recipe. It's dense enough for tiering, but it's moist and has great flavor."

-cltee

White Chocolate Cake

"We decided to serve this for our wedding cake and everyone who tried it, loved it!"

-alAmira

Mocha Layer Cake

"This is sheer heaven. Moist, dark, decadent and delicious, this recipe is worth every step."

-Bev

Strawberry Cream Cake

"I loved this cake! The frosting was absolutely delicious. I will absolutely make this again!"

-SweetSueAl

Tres Leches Hazelnut Cake

"With the beautifully flavored spongy layers soaking up all that sweet, creamy goodness and the addition of ripe, sweet berries, you will be in dessert heaven!"

-under12parsecs

Bonus: Microwave Pudding Cake

"This is a good and rich dessert, and it's so easy to make! This would be great for unexpected company because you can make it quickly with ingredients that are always on hand."

-loof

Lemon Lover's Layer Cake

"SO GOOD! And it's especially delicious the next day, because the lemon curd really sinks into the cake and flavors it even more. I will definitely be making the recipe again!"

-Earl&Chai

Coconut Cake with Fluffy Icing

"What could be more satisfying than coconut cake with a lemon filling? I loved the frosting. It was nice and fluffy — marshmallow-like, but not as sweet."

-Sharlene~W

German Apple Cake

"I love how this recipe turned out, with a crispy shell on top and a super moist cake underneath. I cut my apples into large chunks, which adds great texture!"

-The Portugarians

Hummingbird Cake

"Everyone LOVES this heavenly, moist, rich cake. It tastes like it came from a fine bakery but it's so easy to make! Give it a try — you won't be sorry!"

-Theresa P

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

"This makes a very attractive and delicious cake! The bourbon adds a depth of flavor that makes this taste gourmet."

-LoversDream

Easiest Black Forest Cake

"YUM! I love Black Forest cake (in fact, I had one for my wedding cake). This recipe has all the taste of traditional Black Forest cake without all the work!"

-Lvs2Cook

Pound Cake

"This pound cake is the real thing! It's better than Sara Lee pound cake. It has such a wonderful texture and a fantastic taste."

-Manami

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cake

Because chocolate and peanut butter is the best flavor combination out there.

Butter Cake

"I made the basic vanilla version and it's a lovely cake! It has a good flavor and crumb, and it was sturdy enough to handle any frosting you want to use."

-acerast

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