Easy Cake Recipes

Easy Cake Recipes make the perfect treat! While we tend to lean towards the favorites like chocolate and vanilla, there are lots of delicious and unique variations in this collection.

More Collections: Cheesecake Recipes, Easy Cookie Recipes, Cupcake Recipes

Let them eat cake!

I find myself making cakes for all kinds of reasons: get-togethers, birthdays, special occasions, or even a typical family night!

Of course, I don’t want to spend hours making beautifully crafted and decorated cakes every time, which is where these easy cakes come in.

Most of the cakes in this collection of Easy Cake Recipes are made in less than an hour, have simple ingredients, and they’re actually great for feeding crowds! You’ll love these indulgent homemade cake recipes.

Before we get into the cake recipes though, here are some tips for making terrific cakes!

the 5 main ingredients in cake

The 5 essential ingredients when baking include:

Sugar. When a recipe simply states “sugar”, it refers to granulated sugar.

• Powdered sugar is the same thing as confectioners sugar.
• There is also brown sugar which comes in both light and dark. If the recipe doesn’t clarify, opt for light brown sugar.

Butter/Oil. Pay attention to whether the recipe asks for salted or unsalted butter. If the recipe doesn’t specify, choose unsalted.

• Note what temperature the butter needs to be: cold, room temperature, softened, or melted.
• When a recipe calls for oil use vegetable or canola oil.

Eggs add stability and structure. Eggs at room temperature combine better with the other ingredients.

Flour can be all-purpose flour, cake flour, or pastry flour. Use what the recipe calls for or it won’t turn out as expected. All-purpose flour can sometimes be substituted with cake flour for a softer texture.

Leavener/Liquids. Baking powder and baking soda are used as leaveners – they cause the batter to grow and add shape and structure. Liquids, like milk and water, are also important for adding structure and texture.

Top 5 cake tips

1. Follow the recipe. This may seem like a given, but it is my number one tip. I will sometimes have people tell me their recipe didn’t turn out and then explain ways they changed it. Sometimes an adjustment does not affect the end result, oftentimes it does.
2. Room temperature butter. When the butter and sugar are mixed together they create a creamy base full of little air pockets that expand as the cake bakes creating a fluffy cake. Creaming the butter and sugar will only take a couple of minutes. If creamed too much the extra air will cause the cake to overexpand and then fall.
3. Use fresh leavening agents (aka baking powder and baking soda). These ingredients help the cake to rise to all its fluffy glory.
4. Over-mixing can cause too much air to get trapped in the batter as well as overdevelop the gluten found in flour which leads to a tougher cake. Most recipes ask you to mix until just combined for this reason. This is also why many recipes will direct you to whisk the dry ingredients together before adding them to the wet ingredients.
5. No peeking. It can be tempting to open the oven door to check the cake, but this can actually cause the cake to sink. The only time I would suggest that it is ok to do this is when you are nearing the end of the suggested bake time.

Getting the Perfect Cake Consistency

Nobody likes a cake that’s dry and crumbly! Here are tips for getting cake with the perfect consistency.

The trick to a moist cake

It can be so disappointing to bite into a beautiful cake only to find it dry. There are several tips and tricks to ensure your cakes are perfectly moist.

• Many recipes already include sour cream as an ingredient. If it’s not already listed, add 1-2 tbsp to the recipe.
• Applesauce is another great ingredient that will add moisture to the cake. Mix in 1-2 tbsp along with the other liquids.
• Spoon and level your flour. Scooping packs the flour too tightly and you can end up with more than what is called for which can lead to a dry cake.
• This may be a given, but don’t overbake! Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, then the cake is done. If the outside of the cake is cooking faster than the inside, tent a piece of tin foil over the top to keep it from getting too crisp on the outside.

Make soft and fluffy cakes

• Cake flour: Some recipes will specifically call for cake flour. It is finer than all-purpose flour and is a wonderful ingredient for soft cakes.
  • Substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour in many cake recipes; White Cake, Red Velvet Cake, and Vanilla Cake recipe do well with cake flour.
  • Because of the fine cocoa powder already in Chocolate Cake you do not want to use cake flour. Also, skip using it in produce-based cakes like Carrot Cake or Zucchini Cake because of the increased liquid.

Common Baking Substitutes

Generally, I suggest that you follow the recipe as it is written. However, if you find yourself in a bind there are a few common substitutes that can be used with minimal changes to the overall result. 

• Cake flour. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to a 1-cup measuring cup. Spoon all-purpose flour in until the cup is full and then level it off. Sift the ingredients into a bowl. Then, sift them again to really get well-incorporated, airy cake flour.
• How to Make Buttermilk
• Baking Powder Substitute

Best pans for cakes

• Light Aluminum baking pans are ideal for baking cakes. The metal is really great at transferring the heat to the cake it is baking. The better quality the pan is, then the better and more evenly it will transfer the heat. Forgo disposable pans and dollar-store pans.
• Skip the glass and ceramic dishes. They are very poor heat conductors. They take much longer to heat up and distribute the heat unevenly. This will lead to a burnt bottom and underdone middle.
• Using the correct size cake pan can prevent cakes from turning out sunken, flimsy, dense, or overflowing.
• Pour the batter into an already-prepared pan. This is so helpful in making sure the bottoms of the cake don’t stick to the pan. Grease & flour the pans or better yet use parchment paper which comes in round and rectangular shapes. Good quality pans also keep the cake from sticking.

Best frosting for cake

Different frostings for cakes. Whether you’re making a classic bundt cake or a fancy wedding cake, the type of frosting used is very important for the overall look, taste, and texture.

• Glaze is thin and fluid. It pours easily and is used to give cakes a smooth and shiny finish. Allow the cake to cool or the glaze will run right off if it is too hot.
• Icing/Ganache. Is thinner than frosting, but thicker than glaze. They are almost the texture of a sauce and will set as it cools. Icing has a powdered sugar base while ganache has a chocolate base.
• Royal Icing. Is typically used for sugar cookies, but can be used for fancier tiered cakes. It sets very quickly and has a shiny finish.
• Frosting. Frosting is the thickest and is typically made with a butter or cream cheese base. It’s thick, creamy, and can be made in many different flavors and colors. It’s also very stable and can be used to create designs with piping tools and holds up well in between cake layers. 

More Frosting Tips

Having the right tools can be really helpful in how your frosting turns out. Use both a straight and an offset icing spatula. Cake boards are great to be able to lift and move the cake. Piping bags and tips are a great investment. 

Many cake recipes already have a suggested frosting, but here is a list of some of our favorites that you might like to try:

• Chocolate Buttercream Frosting 
• Berry Buttercream Frosting 
• Caramel Frosting
• Strawberry Frosting
• Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
• Sugar Cookie Frosting
• Easy Marshmallow Frosting 

Transporting Cake

Honestly, the best method is to invest in a sturdy cake carrier. To use disposable cake boxes, I suggest placing the cake in the center of the box and then assembling the box around the cake.

Another idea is to transport it on a cake stand that has a lid that can be taped in place.

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Our go-to cakes

To classify as “easy”, these cakes fall into one of the following categories: made in less than 30 minutes, require little prep time, cake mix based, dump cake, or less than 5 ingredients!

But don’t be deceived, just because they’re easy doesn’t mean they don’t taste amazing!!

Lemon Buttermilk Cake – Lemon Cake is baked with a lemon zest and topped with a delicious lemony glaze. It is refreshing with the perfect amount of sweetness!

White Sheet Cake With Chocolate Frosting – This White Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting is easy to make, melts in your mouth, and is always a crowd pleaser!

Lemon Bundt Cake – This Is The Most Delicious And Moist Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe! It Is Covered In A Sweet Lemon Glaze And Topped Off With An Amazing Cream Cheese Frosting With Lemon Zest, Making It Irresistible.

White Texas Sheet Cake – This white sheet cake is moist, and is topped with an amazing frosting with hints of almond throughout. It also feeds a ton, making it great for parties and get together.

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake – This sour cream chocolate cake is moist, fudgy, completely delicious and so easy to make. It’s the perfect old-fashioned chocolate cake recipe that everyone will love and enjoy at every party! Serve it alone or with ice cream and you’re sure to get rave reviews.

Gooey Butter Cake – Gooey butter cake is a simple and amazingly delicious dessert with a cake batter crust and soft, gooey cream cheese top that makes it addicting!

Mississippi Mud Cake – This Mississippi Mud Cake is a delicious homemade chocolate cake, with melted marshmallows and warm chocolate frosting.

Red Velvet Poke Cake – Delicious Red Velvet Poke Cake with homemade Cream Cheese Frosting is oh so moist and velvety. It’s perfectly sweet for any occasion.

Boston Cream Poke Cake – Everything you love about Boston cream donuts and pies, in the form of a cool and creamy pudding poke cake! 

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake – Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake is filled with a delicious cream cheese layer in the center and topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting making it a delicious dessert to enjoy all year long.

chocolate cakes

When a chocolate craving hits try any of these deliciously decadent chocolate cakes!

Chocolate Sheet Cake – Our favorite chocolate sheet cake recipe. It’s simple, moist, delicious and serves a lot making it our go-to party dessert – perfect with ice cream.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake – YUMMY Chocolate Zucchini Cake – so good! Moist and delicious and you’d never know it had grated zucchini in it! Also, has a smooth chocolatey frosting.

Better Than Anything Cake – Quick and Easy Better than Anything Cake is a sweet cake filled with caramel and topped with cool whip and toffee bits!

Chocolate Mug Cake – This Chocolate Mug Cake is a quick, simple and delicious treat and is the perfect size for one (or two if you want to share). Made in under five minutes, this fluffy cake is the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Chocolate Bundt Cake – You will love indulging in this this simple chocolate bundt cake with a chocolate ganache glaze. This moist chocolate cake is just the right amount of rich without being too heavy!

Fruity CAkes

Perfect for spring and summer, these fruity cakes are bright and delicious. The apple desserts and cobblers are fall favorites! We love to incorporate fresh fruit and especially fruit that is in season.

Apple Cake – This Easy Apple Cake is extra moist and filled with cinnamon and apples. Top it off with ice cream and caramel sauce for the perfect fall treat! 

Key Lime Cake – This super easy key lime cake is bursting with fresh lime flavor and topped with whipped cream. It’s a delicious summer cake recipe, and if you love key lime pie – then definitely give this recipe a try. 

Strawberry Sheet Cake – This strawberry sheet cake is especially tasty made with fresh pureed strawberries and topped with an amazing homemade strawberry frosting!

Lemon Sheet Cake – This super moist and delicious Lemon Sheet Cake recipe topped off with a tasty lemon buttercream frosting is our new favorite dessert, and it’s perfect for feeding a crowd!

Coconut Cake – This Coconut Cake is made from scratch, and topped with a scrumptious cream cheese frosting that is so addicting. The toasted coconut topping gives it an incredible flavor, making it a dessert to enjoy all year long!

Lime Sheet Cake – Perfectly moist lime cake, topped with a homemade lime buttercream frosting, and sprinkled with lime zest! Just the right balance of citrus and sweet in this yummy sheet cake. It’s easy, refreshing, and great for feeding a crowd!

Cherry Dump Cake – Everyone loves a good Dump Cake recipe! This one is filled with cherry pie filling, crushed pineapples and is topped with cake mix, walnuts and butter!

Blueberry Dump Cake – This easy blueberry dump cake is made with only 3 ingredients! With a layer of juicy blueberry pie filling and a buttery topping, it’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Peach Dump Cake – 3 ingredients Peach Dump Cake is quick, simple, and utterly tasty. It is warm, gooey, and perfectly peachy!!

Cherry Sheet Cake – Moist Cherry Sheet Cake is topped with a homemade almond buttercream frosting. It is easy and SO delicious!!

Strawberry Butter Cake – Easy layered Strawberry Butter Cake whips up with only 5 minutes of prep. It’s a family favorite that can be enjoyed all year long!

Cold Cakes

Cool and refreshing cakes are delicious all year long but are especially craved in the warmer months!

Patriotic Poke Cake – This cool, light and refreshing jello poke cake is filled with red and blue JELLO making it perfectly patriotic. Make for Independence Day, Memorial Day or Labor Day and it’s sure to be a hit!

Lemon Lime Poke Cake – Lemon Lime Poke Cake is full of lime flavor, topped with creamy lemon pudding and topped with whipped cream and zest!

Jello Poke Cake – I Love Jello Poke Cake! I Went With Raspberry Here, But You Can Easily Make A Cherry Or A Strawberry Poke Cake.

Oreo Pudding Poke Cake – Fluffy Oreo Pudding Poke Cake is filled with creamy cookies & cream pudding and topped with crunchy Oreo cookies. It is so YUMMY!

Banana Pudding Poke Cake – This Banana Pudding Poke Cake has all the flavors of banana cream pie, just in cake form. With layers of banana cake, pudding, cream, bananas, and vanilla wafers, it’s sure to be a hit!

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The Complete List

Here are the picture cards for ALL of the delicious, easy cake recipes listed above.

Whether it’s to serve for a special occasion or an everyday treat, these recipes are simple enough that you’re sure to find some new favorites!

Be sure to check out all of our Cake Recipes!

And for more collections: Holiday Cakes, Cakes with Fruit, Cakes That Feed a Crowd