103 plain cake recipes

Southern Japanese fruitcake: a 4-layer cake alternating plain butter cake with spiced pecan-and-raisin layers, bound by a thick lemon-coconut filling. A vintage Christmas dessert from the American South with a name that has nothing to do with Japan.

Southern Japanese fruitcake with three layers: two plain butter cakes and one spiced with raisins and pecans, sandwiched with pineapple-lemon filling and coconut all around.

Persimmon pudding cake, a moist autumn loaf with ripe persimmons, brandy, warm spices, raisins, and walnuts. Served with a brandy ricotta topping for fall holiday gatherings.

Pillowy whipped cream frosting paired with a glossy, ruby-red raspberry sauce. Two quick components that turn any plain layer cake into a showpiece in under 30 minutes.

This brown sugar angel food cake swaps plain white sugar for molasses-rich brown sugar, giving each cloud-soft slice a deep caramel flavor. Light, fat-free, and whipped to tall, airy perfection from a dozen egg whites.

Moist wholemeal zucchini cake topped with sliced apple, crunchy walnuts, and warm allspice. Baked in a ring tin, this one's brilliant warm or cold with a cuppa.

Chocolate cake layered with peanut butter chip mousse and dripping chocolate ganache glaze, topped with mini peanut butter cups. A three-component showstopper.