All of you Cure takers out there are soon going to be planning a dinner party. Maybe you'll bake some fresh bread or try out some new recipes for the main course, but let us give you one of our best tips on dessert: make a single layer cake.

We love making a simple round cake for parties. They require one pan — usually a 9-inch cake pan or a springform pan — and are decorated with a poured-on glaze or ganache, a dusting of powdered sugar, or nothing at all. Throw a fanned-out strawberry in the middle of a dense, chocolate cake, put some whipped cream in a bowl to serve on the side, and you're finished.

We know layer cakes are tempting... They are such showstoppers. And pies are, well, pies are amazing. So certainly don't let us fence you in. But, Cure party or not, if you don't have time to roll out a pie crust or wrestle with a bowl of frosting, simple single-layer cakes are a godsend.

They look beautiful on a cake stand and are easy to slice and serve. Even the dessert shy will take a small sliver. These cakes are just... approachable.

Here are a few great ones from our archives:

How about Flourless Citrus Cake, Grapefruit Yogurt Cake, or Anise Seed Cake with Orange Icing? Sara Kate created these (and other) amazing one-pan cakes in her book, The Greyston Bakery Cookbook. Buy it at Amazon.

(Images: Faith Hopler; ErinCooks)