13 Classic Cake Recipes That Never Fail

There’s something magical about classic cakes—timeless flavors, simple ingredients, and a nostalgic touch that never disappoints. Whether it’s for a birthday, a family gathering, or just a sweet treat to brighten your day, these 13 classic cake recipes are guaranteed to turn out perfect every time. From rich chocolate to light and airy vanilla, these cakes have stood the test of time and continue to be favorites in kitchens around the world. Let’s get baking!

1. Classic Vanilla Cake

A light, fluffy, and buttery vanilla cake that serves as the perfect base for any frosting.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
  4. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with flour.
  5. Pour batter into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool before frosting.

2. Chocolate Fudge Cake

A rich and moist chocolate cake with deep, intense flavors.

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add oil, eggs, and buttermilk, then beat until smooth.
  3. Stir in hot coffee (batter will be thin).
  4. Pour into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool before frosting.

3. Red Velvet Cake

A striking, lightly chocolatey cake with a hint of tanginess.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp red food coloring
  • 1 tsp vinegar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugar.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and red food coloring.
  4. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, then stir in vinegar.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes and cool before frosting.

4. Lemon Drizzle Cake

A zesty, moist cake with a sweet and tangy glaze.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • Juice of 1 lemon

For the Lemon Drizzle:

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in lemon zest.
  4. Mix flour and baking powder, then fold into the batter.
  5. Add milk and mix until smooth.
  6. Pour into the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.
  7. While the cake is warm, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice to make the glaze, then drizzle over the cake.

5. Carrot Cake

A spiced cake packed with carrots and nuts, often topped with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch pans.
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat sugars, oil, and eggs until well combined.
  4. Stir in grated carrots and nuts.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until combined.
  6. Pour batter into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  7. Let cool before frosting with cream cheese frosting.

6. Strawberry Shortcake

A light and fruity cake layered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup whipped cream

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
  5. Gradually mix in flour mixture and milk.
  6. Pour batter into pans and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Once cooled, layer with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

7. Coconut Cake

A tropical treat with a moist crumb and coconut flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp coconut extract
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time.
  3. Mix in coconut extract.
  4. Alternate adding flour mixture and coconut milk.
  5. Stir in shredded coconut.
  6. Pour into pans and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Let cool before frosting with coconut-flavored icing.

8. Black Forest Cake

A rich chocolate cake layered with cherries and whipped cream.

Ingredients:

  • 1 chocolate cake (use recipe from Chocolate Fudge Cake)
  • 1 cup cherry preserves
  • 1 ½ cups whipped cream
  • ½ cup chocolate shavings
  • Fresh cherries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Bake and cool the chocolate cake.
  2. Cut layers and spread cherry preserves between each layer.
  3. Cover with whipped cream and decorate with chocolate shavings and cherries.

9. Marble Cake

A beautiful blend of vanilla and chocolate swirled together.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan.
  2. Prepare vanilla cake batter (see recipe #1).
  3. Divide batter into two bowls, adding cocoa powder to one half.
  4. Alternate spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate batter into the pan.
  5. Swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
  6. Bake for 35 minutes.

10. Butter Pound Cake

A dense, rich cake perfect for tea time.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup whole milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
  4. Stir in vanilla, then alternate adding flour mixture and milk.
  5. Pour into the pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.

11. German Chocolate Cake

A luscious chocolate cake with coconut-pecan filling.

Ingredients:

  • 1 chocolate cake (use recipe from Chocolate Fudge Cake)
  • 1 cup coconut-pecan frosting

Instructions:

  1. Bake and cool the chocolate cake.
  2. Prepare coconut-pecan frosting.
  3. Spread frosting between layers and over the cake.

12. Victoria Sponge Cake

A British classic with a light sponge and jam filling.

Ingredients:

  • 2 vanilla sponge cakes (use recipe from Classic Vanilla Cake)
  • ½ cup strawberry jam
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Bake and cool the vanilla sponge cakes.
  2. Spread jam and whipped cream between layers.
  3. Dust the top with powdered sugar.

13. Coffee Cake

A cinnamon-spiced cake with a crumbly streusel topping.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Streusel Topping:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • ¼ cup melted butter

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a cake pan.
  2. Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix in sour cream, then gradually add flour and baking powder.
  4. Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle with half the streusel topping.
  5. Add remaining batter and top with remaining streusel.
  6. Bake for 40 minutes.

FAQs

1. What is the secret to a moist cake?

Use room temperature ingredients, measure accurately, and don’t overmix.

2. Can I make these cakes ahead of time?

Yes! Most cakes can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.

3. What’s the best frosting for a classic cake?

Buttercream, cream cheese frosting, and ganache work well with most cakes.

4. How can I prevent my cake from sticking to the pan?

Grease the pan properly and line with parchment paper for easy removal.

5. Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?

Yes! Swap flour for gluten-free alternatives or dairy for plant-based options as needed.