15 Easy Cake Recipes from Scratch for Every Occasion

Baking a cake from scratch can be a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you are a new baker or someone looking to refine your skills, easy cake recipes can help you create delicious treats with simple ingredients. You can impress friends and family with homemade cakes that taste just as good, if not better, than store-bought options.

With a variety of flavors to choose from, making cake at home allows for creativity and personalization. From classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate to unique combinations, there’s a cake recipe for everyone.

You’ll enjoy the process of measuring, mixing, and baking, leading to a delightful end result every time.

1) Simple Vanilla Cake

Making a simple vanilla cake from scratch is easy and fun. You will use basic ingredients that you might already have at home. This cake is perfect for any occasion.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a round cake pan with baking paper.

In a bowl, mix together your dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream your butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to combine everything smoothly.

Gradually mix in your dry ingredients until you have a well-blended batter. Pour it into your prepared pan. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line a round cake pan.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
4. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar.
5. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
6. Gradually mix in your dry ingredients.
7. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

2) Classic Chocolate Cake

A classic chocolate cake is a delicious treat you can easily make from scratch. This recipe yields a rich and moist cake that is perfect for any occasion.

You will need simple ingredients like flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and eggs. The best part is that most of them are pantry staples.

To start, you mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Then, combine them and pour the batter into a cake pan.

Bake it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes. Once it’s done, let it cool before frosting it with your favorite chocolate icing.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-3/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Stir in boiling water until smooth.
5. Pour the batter into greased cake pans.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
7. Let it cool before frosting.

3) Moist Lemon Drizzle Cake

A moist lemon drizzle cake is a delightful treat that’s easy to make from scratch. The bright lemon flavor makes it perfect for any occasion. You can whip it up quickly, and it’s great for sharing.

To start, gather your ingredients. This cake requires basic items you likely already have in your pantry.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream the sugar and butter together.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
4. Stir in the flour, baking powder, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt.
5. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

4) Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake is a delicious and moist dessert that you can easily make from scratch. It’s perfect for any occasion and pairs wonderfully with cream cheese frosting. The hint of spice and the flavor of carrots make this cake special.

To start, combine your wet ingredients like eggs and oil with the dry ingredients. Grate fresh carrots for the best flavor. Once mixed, pour the batter into a prepared cake pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean.

For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla for sweetness. Spread it generously on your cooled cake for a delightful finish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the sugar, eggs, and oil.
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir well.
5. Fold in grated carrots.
6. Pour batter into a greased cake pan.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until done.
8. Let cool before frosting.
9. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
10. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla.
11. Spread frosting on the cooled cake.

5) Easy Coffee Cake

Coffee cake is a delightful treat for breakfast or snacks. It’s simple to make and perfect for sharing. You can enjoy it with your morning coffee or as a sweet afternoon bite.

To make easy coffee cake, you need basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and cinnamon. The crumbly topping adds sweetness and texture, making it extra special. Many recipes can be ready in less than an hour.

You can also customize your coffee cake with different mix-ins, like nuts or chocolate chips. This makes it a fun recipe to experiment with.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup brown sugar (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (for topping)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients; mix until smooth.
6. Pour batter into the pan.
7. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping; sprinkle on top.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
9. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!

6) Basic 1-2-3-4 Cake

The Basic 1-2-3-4 Cake is a classic recipe that’s simple and delicious. It gets its name from the proportion of ingredients: one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, and four eggs.

This cake is perfect for any occasion and pairs well with various frostings. You can even add flavors like vanilla or lemon for a twist.

To make this cake, you will need to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cake pans.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 4 eggs
• Baking powder (optional, if you want a lighter cake)
• Vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour three 9-inch round pans.
3. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
4. Add the eggs one at a time.
5. Mix in the flour.
6. Pour the batter into prepared pans.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
8. Let cool before removing from the pans.

7) Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake is a delightful dessert that’s easy to make from scratch. You’ll love the light and fluffy cake layered with sweet strawberries and creamy whipped topping.

Start by prepping your cake. Use all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and butter. Combine these ingredients until you get a crumbly texture. Then, mix in milk and vanilla until smooth.

Once the cake is baked, let it cool. Slice it in half and layer fresh strawberries in between. Top it off with whipped cream for that perfect finish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• Whipped cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in butter until crumbly.
4. Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth.
5. Pour into a greased cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Let cool, slice, and layer with strawberries and whipped cream. Enjoy!

8) Spice Cake with Cinnamon Frosting

Spice cake is a warm and inviting treat perfect for any occasion. The blend of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg gives it a cozy flavor that pairs well with a sweet cinnamon frosting.

To start, gather your ingredients. Make sure you have all the essentials for both the cake and the frosting. This recipe is simple and requires basic baking skills.

For the best results, bake the spice cake in a greased 9×13-inch pan at 350°F (177°C). Once it’s baked and cooled, spread a generous layer of cinnamon frosting on top for an extra touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Add buttermilk, oil, and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix until combined.
5. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes.
6. Let the cake cool before frosting with cinnamon frosting.

9) Banana Cake with Walnut Topping

Banana cake with a walnut topping is a delicious treat you can easily make from scratch. This moist cake is perfect for using overripe bananas. The addition of walnuts gives it a delightful crunch.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need ripe bananas, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and walnuts. Mixing these ingredients together will create a flavorful batter.

Once your cake is baked, don’t forget to top it with a simple walnut mixture. Chopped walnuts sprinkled on top add texture and taste.

This cake bakes well at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as baking times can vary.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
3. Add the eggs and mashed bananas, mixing well.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients.
6. Fold in the chopped walnuts.
7. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

10) Simple White Cake

Making a simple white cake from scratch is easy and fun. You only need a few basic ingredients. This cake is light and fluffy, making it perfect for any occasion.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need flour, sugar, butter, egg whites, baking powder, milk, and vanilla extract. These will come together to create a delicious cake.

For the cooking instructions, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Mix the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the egg whites and beat well. Then, gradually add the dry ingredients and milk, mixing until smooth.

Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Let the cake cool before serving. Enjoy your homemade treat!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Cream the butter and sugar together.
3. Add the egg whites and mix well.
4. Gradually add flour, baking powder, and milk. Mix until smooth.
5. Pour batter into a greased pan.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Cool before serving.

11) Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon poppy seed cake is a delicious and easy recipe to try. It has a bright lemon flavor and a unique crunch from the poppy seeds. This cake is perfect for a spring gathering or when you want something light and fresh.

To start, gather your ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, eggs, poppy seeds, and fresh lemon juice. The zesty lemon really makes the cake stand out.

To make the cake, first preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Then, mix the dry ingredients and combine them with the wet ingredients until smooth. Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake it until a toothpick comes out clean.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Grease a cake pan.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar.
5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
6. Stir in lemon juice and poppy seeds.
7. Combine dry and wet ingredients until smooth.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
9. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

12) Red Velvet Cake with Buttercream Icing

Red velvet cake is a classic dessert that’s both beautiful and tasty. Its rich red color is often paired with delicious buttercream icing. This cake is perfect for celebrations or just a sweet treat.

To make this cake, you need basic ingredients. Begin by mixing flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Then, add oil, buttermilk, and eggs for a moist texture.

Bake your cake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean. Once cooled, spread a smooth layer of buttercream icing on top. This adds a creamy sweetness that complements the cake perfectly.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red food coloring

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
3. Add oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Add red food coloring until desired color is reached.
5. Pour the batter into prepared cake pans.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Let the cakes cool before icing with buttercream.

13) Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake is a delicious and classic dessert that’s easy to make from scratch. The sweet, caramelized pineapple and cherries on top create a lovely presentation.

To start, you will need some basic baking ingredients. This cake is moist and fluffy, making it a favorite for gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
• 1 can (20 oz) sliced pineapple
• Maraschino cherries
• 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt butter in a round cake pan and sprinkle brown sugar evenly.
3. Arrange pineapple slices and cherries over the sugar.
4. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add milk, eggs, and vanilla; beat until smooth.
6. Pour batter over the fruit and bake for 40-45 minutes.
7. Let it cool, then flip onto a plate to serve. Enjoy!

14) Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream. The rich chocolate cake is layered with cherries and whipped cream, creating a delightful balance of flavors.

To make this cake, you can start with a simple chocolate cake recipe. You will need chocolate cake mix, cherry pie filling, and whipped cream. Don’t forget the fresh cherries for decoration!

Ingredients

• 1 package chocolate cake mix
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• Fresh cherries for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing them.
3. Mix the chocolate cake mix according to package instructions.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let the cakes cool completely.
7. Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
8. Layer the cooled cake with cherry filling and whipped cream.
9. Top with fresh cherries before serving. Enjoy!

15) Almond Cake with Apricot Glaze

This Almond Cake with Apricot Glaze is a delightful treat you can easily make from scratch. The cake has a moist texture and rich almond flavor. Topping it with apricot glaze gives it a fruity twist that everyone will enjoy.

To make the cake, you’ll need simple ingredients like almond flour and eggs. The apricot glaze adds a shiny finish and extra sweetness.

Once baked, drizzle the warm apricot glaze over the cake for a beautiful presentation. Serve it at gatherings or enjoy it as a sweet snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease and flour a cake pan.

3. In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.

4. Then, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

5. After that, stir in almond flour and vanilla extract.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.

7. While the cake is still warm, spread apricot preserves on top.