26 Easy Homemade Cake Recipes Everyone Will Enjoy

Baking a cake brings a special kind of magic to the kitchen. Mixing simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter turns everyday items into something wonderful.

Every time you open the oven and see a perfectly risen cake, you create a happy moment that fills your home with warmth and sweet treats. Baking cakes at home gives you a chance to be creative and feel proud.

This collection has 26 cake recipes including classic vanilla sponge, rich chocolate treats, fruit-filled cakes, and showstoppers for special occasions. Each recipe shows the exact ingredients, easy steps, and helpful tips.

Which cake are you excited to bake first? Do you have a favorite cake recipe we didn’t include? Share with us in the comments!

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Sour cream coffee cake is known for its moist, tender crumb and cinnamon-sugar layers. Gather flour, sugar, eggs, butter, sour cream, cinnamon, and baking powder. Start by making the cake batter, then create a cinnamon-sugar mixture to sprinkle between layers.

In a greased pan, alternate layers of batter with the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a swirled effect. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. This cake pairs well with coffee or tea, and the sour cream keeps it moist while balancing the sweetness.

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest cake is a decadent German classic with layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries. Ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, butter, whipped cream, and cherry filling or fresh cherries.

Start by baking the chocolate cake layers, then let them cool completely. Layer the cake with whipped cream and cherries, repeating until the final layer is topped with cream and garnished with cherries and chocolate shavings.

This rich, layered cake is perfect for special occasions and offers a satisfying combination of chocolate and fruit.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

Raspberry swirl cheesecake blends smooth cheesecake with bright raspberry taste. You need cream cheese, sugar, eggs, graham crackers, butter, and raspberry jam. First, crush the graham crackers and mix with melted butter, then press into the bottom of a springform pan.

Mix together the cream cheese, sugar, and eggs and pour this over the crust. Add small dollops of raspberry jam onto the batter and use a knife to gently swirl it. Bake at 325°F (165°C) until firm. The creamy filling and sharp raspberry flavor make this dessert feel special but easy to make.

Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate lava cake is a rich dessert with a molten chocolate center that’s wonderfully indulgent. Ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and high-quality dark chocolate.

Begin by melting chocolate and butter, then mix in eggs, sugar, and a small amount of flour to form a thick batter. Pour the batter into greased ramekins, bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 12 minutes, and serve immediately.

The outside of the cake will be firm while the inside remains molten, creating a delicious contrast. Serve warm with ice cream for an unforgettable dessert experience.

Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake is a well-loved Latin American dessert famous for its soft, wet texture created by using three kinds of milk. Gather flour, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, condensed milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. First, bake a plain sponge cake and poke holes all over it.

Mix the three types of milk and pour this mix over the cake, allowing it to fully soak in. Let the cake cool in the fridge, then add whipped cream on top before serving. This cake’s creamy feel and gentle sweetness make it a cool treat for warm days or special celebrations.

Lemon Drizzle Cake

Lemon drizzle cake offers a burst of citrusy freshness, perfect for brightening up any day. The recipe calls for flour, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, baking powder, butter, and powdered sugar.

Start by creaming butter and sugar, then add eggs and gently fold in the dry ingredients along with fresh lemon zest. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden, then drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.

Fresh lemon zest is essential here, providing a zesty fragrance and flavor. This cake is wonderfully moist and refreshing, ideal as an afternoon treat.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake is beloved for its moist texture and spiced flavor. This recipe uses grated carrots, flour, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, baking soda, and butter, with cream cheese for the frosting.

Start by mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine and fold in grated carrots for added moisture. Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

The creamy frosting is a mix of softened cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. Chopped nuts or raisins can be added to enhance flavor and texture, making this cake a favorite for celebrations.

Banana Bread Cake

Banana bread cake is an easy and cozy dessert that brings out the sweet taste of ripe bananas. The recipe uses mashed bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, milk, and butter.

First, mash the bananas until they are smooth, then mix with sugar, butter, and eggs, and slowly add the other ingredients. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean. Overripe bananas work best because they make the cake sweeter and tastier.

This cake is great as a snack or for breakfast. Try adding chopped walnuts or a bit of cinnamon for extra taste.

Classic Vanilla Sponge Cake

A vanilla sponge cake is a timeless choice with a light, airy texture and soft vanilla flavor. Start with flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract, milk, and butter. Begin by whisking the dry ingredients while creaming butter and sugar separately until light.

Add eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, then gently fold in the dry ingredients with milk to create a smooth batter. Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until golden. Use high-quality vanilla extract to bring out the full flavor.

This versatile cake pairs well with fresh fruit or whipped cream.

Decadent Chocolate Cake

A chocolate cake is hard to say no to, and this recipe is simple and tasty. You will need cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Stir all the dry ingredients together, then add the wet ones and mix until no lumps stay.

Put the mix into a greased cake pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean. A bit of espresso powder will make the chocolate taste deeper but will not give it a coffee flavor.

This cake tastes great plain, with some powdered sugar, or with a quick chocolate icing on top.

Classic Cheesecake

Creamy and rich, a classic cheesecake makes an elegant dessert. For this recipe, gather cream cheese, sugar, eggs, graham crackers, butter, and vanilla extract. Start by blending graham crackers and melted butter to form the crust, pressing it into the bottom of a springform pan.

Beat the cream cheese with sugar until smooth, add the eggs one at a time, then pour over the crust. Bake at a low temperature in a water bath to prevent cracks. Cooling the cheesecake gradually helps achieve the smooth, creamy texture.

This classic dessert is perfect with a topping of fresh berries.

Red Velvet Cake

This vibrant red velvet cake, known for its moist, fluffy texture and hint of cocoa, makes a stunning dessert. Gather flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, food coloring, buttermilk, butter, and cream cheese for frosting.

Whisk the dry ingredients, cream the butter and sugar, then add the eggs and food coloring before mixing in the buttermilk. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean.

The buttermilk provides a tender crumb and a slight tang that pairs well with the cream cheese frosting. For a bolder red hue, adjust the food coloring as desired.

Pound Cake

A classic pound cake has a thick but soft texture, and it’s simple to make for many different occasions. The ingredients are butter, sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla, and milk. First, mix butter and sugar until smooth, then stir in eggs one at a time, and add flour and milk. Bake at 350°F (175°C) in a loaf or round pan until a toothpick comes out clean.

Do not mix the batter too much, so the cake stays rich and soft. Pound cake tastes good alone or with fruit and whipped cream.

Marble Cake

Marble cake offers a beautiful swirl of vanilla and chocolate flavors in each slice. The ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Start by making a basic vanilla cake batter, then divide it in half.

To one half, add cocoa powder and mix well. Pour alternating spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate batters into a greased pan, then use a knife to gently swirl them for a marbled effect.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean. This visually striking cake is a crowd-pleaser with its balance of light and rich flavors, perfect for any occasion.

Coconut Cake

Coconut cake has a gentle, sweet taste and a soft, moist feel. It uses flour, sugar, eggs, butter, coconut milk, and shredded coconut. First, mix the butter and sugar until smooth. Then, add eggs and coconut milk to make the batter rich.

Mix in the flour and shredded coconut to add more texture. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick put in the center comes out clean. Top the cake with coconut icing and more shredded coconut for a stronger coconut taste. This cake is a great choice for people who enjoy coconut or for special days.

Gingerbread Cake

Gingerbread cake delivers rich spices and a hint of molasses, ideal for cozy winter days. Ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, ginger, cinnamon, molasses, and baking powder.

Begin by combining the dry ingredients with the spices, then cream the butter and sugar before adding molasses and eggs. Fold in the dry ingredients, then pour the batter into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean.

This spiced cake fills the kitchen with a warm aroma, and a dollop of whipped cream on top adds a lovely touch.

Orange Olive Oil Cake

Orange olive oil cake brings a unique combination of citrus and earthy flavors. Ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, fresh orange juice, olive oil, and baking powder.

Start by whisking the dry ingredients, then mix the orange juice, olive oil, and eggs separately before combining with the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden.

The olive oil gives the cake a moist texture and slight nuttiness that pairs well with the brightness of the orange. It’s a refined choice for anyone looking for a slightly different dessert.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake mixes sweet cooked pineapples with a soft, rich cake. Prepare flour, sugar, eggs, butter, canned pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, and brown sugar.

First, put pineapple slices and cherries in melted butter and brown sugar at the bottom of a cake pan. Then pour the easy cake batter over this layer and bake at 350°F (175°C) until the top turns golden.

After baking, flip the cake onto a plate so the fruit is on top. The cake looks beautiful and makes a great fruity dessert with a hint of the tropics.

Apple Cinnamon Cake

Apple cinnamon cake brings warmth and spice, making it a cozy treat. Ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, apples, cinnamon, baking powder, and milk.

Start by mixing the dry ingredients with cinnamon, then cream butter and sugar before adding eggs and dry ingredients. Fold in diced apples for added moisture and flavor. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean.

The apples soften beautifully, creating a moist cake with a comforting cinnamon aroma. Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar, perfect for autumn gatherings.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon poppy seed cake is light and a bit sour, great for people who like a citrus taste. You will need flour, sugar, eggs, butter, lemon peel, poppy seeds, and baking powder. First, beat together the butter and sugar, then mix in the eggs and lemon peel.

Next, stir in the dry ingredients and poppy seeds until well blended, then bake at 350°F (175°C) until the cake turns golden. Lemon and poppy seeds bring texture and taste, so every bite feels fresh.

A quick lemon glaze on top boosts the tangy taste, making a nice dessert for any occasion.

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Mocha Coffee Cake

Mocha coffee cake pairs the rich flavors of chocolate and coffee, ideal for any coffee lover. Ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, coffee, butter, and baking powder.

Begin by whisking cocoa powder with brewed coffee to intensify the mocha flavor, then add this to a mixture of creamed butter and sugar. Fold in the dry ingredients and pour into a greased pan, baking at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean.

This cake’s subtle coffee notes and chocolate richness make it an indulgent treat, perfect with a cup of coffee or as a dessert.

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Pumpkin spice cake is soft and tasty, with a rich autumn taste thanks to pumpkin puree and gentle spices. The recipe uses flour, sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.

First, mix the spices with the dry items. Next, beat the butter and sugar, then add eggs and pumpkin puree. Gently stir in the dry mix, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean.

Pumpkin keeps the cake soft. A simple cream cheese icing matches well, making this treat a popular choice for the season and easy to make any time.

Chiffon Cake

Chiffon cake is a light, airy dessert that’s soft and fluffy, thanks to whipped egg whites. Ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and baking powder. Separate the eggs, beating the whites until stiff peaks form, and set them aside.

Mix the remaining ingredients to form a batter, then gently fold in the whipped egg whites to keep the batter light. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the cake springs back when touched.

This cake is lovely as-is or with a dusting of powdered sugar, offering a light and satisfying option for any occasion.

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Funfetti Cake

Funfetti cake is a cheerful treat, packed with colorful sprinkles that bring a festive feel to every slice. For this recipe, you’ll need flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, vanilla extract, and rainbow sprinkles.

Start by mixing the dry ingredients, then cream the butter and sugar until fluffy before adding eggs, milk, and vanilla. Once the batter is smooth, gently fold in the sprinkles to avoid color bleeding.

Pour into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean. This cake’s vibrant look and sweet vanilla flavor make it perfect for celebrations and joyful gatherings.

Almond Cake

Almond cake has a gentle nut taste and a soft but thick texture that is very pleasing. The recipe uses almond flour, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, and a little lemon zest to add some light flavor.

Begin by mixing the butter and sugar until smooth, then mix in eggs and vanilla, then add the almond flour and lemon zest. Put the mixture into a buttered pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until it turns golden brown.

The almond taste and rich feel of this cake go well with tea or coffee, and a little powdered sugar or a few toasted almond pieces on top make it look and taste even better.

Olive Oil Rosemary Cake

Olive oil rosemary cake has a deep, nice taste by mixing olive oil with the scent of fresh rosemary. For this cake, have flour, sugar, eggs, olive oil, baking powder, fresh rosemary, and lemon zest ready.

First, stir the dry items together. In another dish, blend olive oil, eggs, and lemon zest. Pour the dry items into the wet, then mix in small bits of rosemary. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick poked into the middle comes out clean.

Rosemary and lemon give this soft, almost salty cake a rich taste, turning it into a special treat for people who enjoy new flavors.

Sweet Success: Your Cake Baking Journey

The fun of baking cake begins with basic ingredients and changes into something special by your work. Every recipe gives you many chances to make tasty treats and learn new skills.

The best cakes need practice, care, and love, so choose a recipe you like and begin your baking journey now. You will find that making these classic cakes is as joyful as giving them to others.

Keep in mind, every great cake starts with the first step in the kitchen. Let’s bake something great together!

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