174 simple cake recipes

A simple, one-bowl cocoa layer cake that comes together in minutes and bakes into two tender 9-inch layers. Rich chocolate flavor without fuss—perfect for beginners.

Banana loaf cake comes together from just five ingredients, including ripe mashed bananas and self-rising flour, for a moist, tender everyday loaf. A simple bake that's lovely with a cup of tea.

Homemade funnel cake just like the fair: a simple batter piped into hot oil in lacy swirls and fried until golden and crisp. Drizzle with chocolate or dust with sugar for a carnival treat at home.

This bunny cake is really simple and easy to make, if you don't want to use coconut flakes, you can just color the frosting with food coloring, and it will still look cute and pretty!

A lighter take on Boston cream pie with a silky stovetop vanilla custard layered between cake rounds and dusted with powdered sugar instead of the usual chocolate ganache. Simple, elegant, and not overly sweet.

Named after Queen Victoria, who famously enjoyed a slice with her afternoon tea, this classic British cake dates back to the 19th century. Its light, fluffy sponge layers, filled with raspberry jam and whipped cream, embody simple elegance, making it a timeless centerpiece for tea parties or special occasions.

Banana Cream Cake with Strawberry Cream Filling recipe

Bien Me Sabe! Layers of brandy-soaked ladyfingers, lush coconut cream filling, and golden meringue make this classic Venezuelan dessert impossible to resist. Chills overnight for the easiest showstopper.

Chocolate mousse tiara cake: a tender chocolate cake baked in a tiara pan, its center crowned with an easy milk chocolate mousse. A bakery-worthy showpiece that starts from a simple cake mix.

Best of class senior contest--1950 Pillsbury Cookoff. This is a simple cake that looks fancy.

Amaretto-spiked chocolate cake layered with boozy whipped cream frosting and topped with handmade chocolate trees. A showstopping holiday centerpiece using a simple cake mix shortcut.

Classic skillet pineapple upside-down cake with caramelized brown sugar topping, juicy pineapple rings, and cherries. Simple cake mix recipe baked in cast iron for golden edges.

Four-layer chocolate torte with whipped cream filling, milk chocolate frosting, roasted pistachios, and handmade chocolate hearts on top. A stunning centerpiece from a simple cake mix.

Cherry cheesecake bars with a white cake base, fluffy cream cheese and whipped cream topping, and cherry pie filling. A no-bake topping on a simple cake mix base.

Sliced apples layered with cinnamon sugar get topped with a simple cake batter that bakes into a tender crust for an effortless dessert that's halfway between apple crisp and cake.

Easter bunny cake built from carrot cake rounds with coconut "fur", paper ears, and jelly bean eyes. A classic family Easter project that turns a simple cake mix into a showpiece bunny on a platter.