10+ Easy & Best Cake Recipes

Quick Summary

These 10 cake recipes cover the classics people search for most—chocolate, vanilla, fruit-forward, celebration cakes, and timeless favorites. Each recipe includes clear ingredients and simple instructions, written in a friendly, kitchen-tested way. The list suits home bakers, party planners, and anyone looking for reliable cakes that bake beautifully and taste even better.

1. Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe

A classic chocolate layer cake delivers rich cocoa flavor with soft, fluffy layers and smooth frosting.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Sugar
  • Baking powder & baking soda
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl until evenly combined.
  2. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, then mix until smooth.
  3. Divide batter into greased cake pans.
  4. Bake until the centers spring back lightly.
  5. Cool completely before frosting and stacking layers.

2. Vanilla Buttercream Cake Recipe

A vanilla buttercream cake stays timeless thanks to its soft crumb and creamy, lightly sweet frosting.

Ingredients

  • Cake flour or all-purpose flour
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
  2. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.
  3. Alternate adding flour and milk until smooth.
  4. Bake in prepared pans and cool fully.
  5. Frost generously with whipped vanilla buttercream.

3. Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

A moist chocolate cake focuses on deep flavor and tender texture that stays soft for days.

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs
  • Buttermilk
  • Oil
  • Hot coffee

Instructions

  1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Mix wet ingredients separately, then combine gently.
  3. Stir in hot coffee to deepen the chocolate flavor.
  4. Bake until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
  5. Cool and finish with chocolate ganache or frosting.

4. Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Red velvet cake blends mild cocoa flavor with a plush texture and signature cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Sugar
  • Buttermilk
  • Eggs
  • Red food coloring
  • Cream cheese
  • Butter

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients until evenly blended.
  2. Whisk wet ingredients separately, including coloring.
  3. Combine mixtures gently to keep the batter smooth.
  4. Bake until set and cool completely.
  5. Frost with cream cheese frosting between layers.

5. Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe

A lemon drizzle cake tastes bright and fresh with a tender crumb and tangy syrup finish.

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Fresh lemon zest
  • Lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar until light.
  2. Add eggs and lemon zest, mixing gently.
  3. Fold in flour and bake until golden.
  4. Pour warm lemon syrup over the hot cake.
  5. Cool before slicing for clean cuts.

6. Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Strawberry shortcake highlights fresh berries, soft sponge, and lightly sweetened cream.

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Baking powder
  • Fresh strawberries
  • Heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Bake a light sponge cake and let it cool.
  2. Slice strawberries and toss with sugar.
  3. Whip cream until soft peaks form.
  4. Layer cake with berries and cream.
  5. Serve chilled for best flavor.

7. Coffee Walnut Cake Recipe

Coffee walnut cake pairs rich espresso flavor with crunchy walnuts and smooth frosting.

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs
  • Instant coffee
  • Chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  2. Add eggs and dissolved coffee.
  3. Fold in flour and walnuts.
  4. Bake until fragrant and golden.
  5. Finish with coffee-flavored buttercream.

8. Carrot Cake Recipe

Carrot cake stays moist and flavorful with warm spices and creamy frosting.

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Grated carrots
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs
  • Oil
  • Cinnamon
  • Cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients with spices.
  2. Stir in carrots, eggs, and oil.
  3. Bake until the center sets.
  4. Cool fully before frosting.
  5. Spread cream cheese frosting generously.

9. Birthday Cake Ideas Recipe

A birthday cake focuses on fun colors, soft texture, and crowd-pleasing flavors.

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Butter
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Vanilla
  • Sprinkles or decorations

Instructions

  1. Bake vanilla or chocolate cake layers.
  2. Cool and level the cakes evenly.
  3. Frost with colorful buttercream.
  4. Decorate with sprinkles or piping.
  5. Chill briefly before slicing.

10. Wedding Cake Recipe

A wedding cake combines elegance, stability, and classic flavors suitable for stacking.

Ingredients

  • Cake flour
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla
  • Fondant or buttercream

Instructions

  1. Bake sturdy cake layers in various sizes.
  2. Cool completely and level each layer.
  3. Fill with buttercream or fruit preserves.
  4. Stack carefully using supports.
  5. Finish with smooth frosting or fondant.