7 Cakes That Bring Elegance and Flavor to Every Table

Elegant cakes have a way of bringing comfort and celebration together, whether it’s a simple homemade treat or a layered masterpiece. These recipes highlight unique flavors and textures from around the world, each crafted to taste absolutely divine.

Quick Summary

This list of 7 elegant cake recipes includes globally inspired flavors like Pink Velvet, Cappuccino, Butter Pecan, Vanilla Velvet, Chocolate, Lemon Mascarpone, and S’mores Layer Cake. Each recipe comes with easy-to-follow ingredients and instructions, delivering indulgence and style for birthdays, holidays, or simple family gatherings.

1. Pink Velvet Cake Recipe

A pink velvet cake offers the same moist, tender crumb as red velvet, but with a lighter and more playful twist. Its subtle vanilla flavor and creamy frosting make it perfect for birthdays and showers.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pink food coloring

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch pans.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.
  3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk until smooth.
  5. Add pink food coloring, mix, and pour into pans.
  6. Bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Frost with cream cheese or vanilla buttercream.

2. Cappuccino Cake Recipe

Coffee lovers will adore this cappuccino cake layered with espresso flavors and creamy frosting, making it a café-style indulgence at home.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup strong brewed espresso
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two cake pans.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, then add eggs one at a time.
  3. Stir in espresso and sour cream.
  4. Add dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool completely.
  6. Frost with coffee buttercream and dust with cocoa powder.

3. Easy Homemade Butter Pecan Cake Recipe

This southern classic combines toasted pecans and buttery richness, topped with creamy frosting for a comforting, nutty delight.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 ¾ cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 9-inch pans.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
  3. Fold in flour, baking powder, and buttermilk.
  4. Stir in toasted pecans and vanilla.
  5. Bake for 35 minutes.
  6. Frost with cream cheese or brown sugar buttercream.

4. Vanilla Velvet Cake Recipe

Vanilla velvet cake offers a luxurious crumb with a delicate flavor, making it perfect for weddings or special occasions.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix in flour, baking soda, and buttermilk.
  4. Divide batter into two pans. Bake 30 minutes.
  5. Frost with vanilla bean buttercream.

5. Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake Recipe

Known for its rich, moist crumb, this classic chocolate cake is an Ina Garten favorite that never disappoints.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup hot coffee

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and baking powder.
  3. Add buttermilk, oil, and eggs. Mix well.
  4. Stir in hot coffee until smooth.
  5. Pour into pans and bake 35 minutes.
  6. Frost with chocolate buttercream.

6. Lemon Mascarpone Layer Cake Recipe

This cake combines the tang of lemon with the creamy richness of mascarpone for a bright and elegant dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup mascarpone cheese

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs.
  3. Mix flour, baking powder, and soda separately.
  4. Add to butter mixture with buttermilk and lemon juice.
  5. Bake in two pans for 30 minutes.
  6. Frost with mascarpone whipped cream.

7. S’mores Layer Cake Recipe

A playful twist on campfire s’mores, this cake layers chocolate, marshmallow frosting, and graham cracker crumbs.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 ¾ cups sugar
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup hot water
  • Marshmallow frosting
  • Crushed graham crackers

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, and baking soda.
  3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
  4. Stir in hot water.
  5. Bake in layers for 30 minutes.
  6. Frost with marshmallow frosting and sprinkle with graham crackers.