9 Easy Cake Recipes You Can Make at Home

There’s nothing better than a homemade cake to satisfy your sweet cravings! Whether you love classic flavors or want to try something unique, these cake recipes are perfect for every occasion. From rich chocolate cakes to light and fruity treats, you’ll find the perfect recipe to bake for your next celebration or a cozy weekend at home.

1. Classic Vanilla Cake Recipe

Classic Vanilla Cake Recipe

A light, fluffy, and buttery vanilla cake that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the 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 light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
  4. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with the flour.
  5. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  6. Let cool, then frost with your favorite vanilla buttercream.

2. Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe

Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe

A rich, moist, and decadent chocolate cake that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
  4. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).
  5. Pour into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  6. Cool completely and frost with chocolate ganache.

3. Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Red Velvet Cake Recipe

A soft, velvety cake with a hint of cocoa and a luscious cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
  4. Add vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk.
  5. Stir in food coloring and vinegar.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, cool, and frost with cream cheese frosting.

4. Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe

Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe

A zesty, moist, and refreshing cake with a sweet lemon glaze.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • ½ cup lemon juice
  • ½ cup whole milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
  4. Add lemon zest and juice, then alternately mix in dry ingredients and milk.
  5. Pour into the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.
  6. Drizzle with a lemon glaze after cooling.

5. Carrot Cake Recipe

Carrot Cake Recipe

A moist spiced cake packed with grated carrots and topped with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a cake pan.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, whisk oil, sugar, and eggs.
  4. Add grated carrots and walnuts, then fold in dry ingredients.
  5. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

6. Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

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

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup whipped cream

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a cake pan.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla.
  4. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool, slice in half, and layer with strawberries and whipped cream.

7. Coconut Cake Recipe

Coconut Cake Recipe

A soft, moist coconut-flavored cake with a creamy coconut frosting.

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease cake pans.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
  4. Stir in coconut extract and coconut milk.
  5. Fold in shredded coconut and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  6. Frost with coconut cream frosting.

8. Rich Black Forest Cake Recipe

Rich Black Forest Cake Recipe

A decadent chocolate cake layered with cherries and whipped cream.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 ½ cups canned cherries, drained
  • 1 cup whipped cream

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
  4. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).
  5. Pour into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  6. Cool completely, then layer with cherries and whipped cream.

9. Classic Marble Cake Recipe

Classic Marble Cake Recipe

A beautiful blend of vanilla and chocolate swirls in a soft, moist cake.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp milk (for cocoa batter)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or bundt pan.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
  4. Mix in vanilla extract and milk.
  5. Divide the batter into two bowls. In one, mix in cocoa powder and extra milk.
  6. Alternate spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate batter into the pan, then swirl with a knife.
  7. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

FAQs

1. Can I make these cakes ahead of time?
Yes! Most cakes can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.

2. How do I keep my cake moist?
Avoid overbaking and store the cake properly. Adding sour cream or yogurt to the batter also helps.

3. Can I make these cakes gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

4. What’s the best way to store leftover cake?
Store cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer shelf life.

5. Can I freeze cake slices?
Absolutely! Wrap cake slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.