We
independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
I firmly believe you don’t need an excuse to a bake a cake. Rather than it being a special-occasion treat, I think cakes are situational. Of course, there’s multi-layered, sprinkle-topped cakes to celebrate birthdays, apple cakes for a successful haul at the pick-your-own farm, fruit-topped angel food cakes for hot summer days, and the chocolate cupcakes that mark your Valentine’s Day celebrations each year.
There’s never a wrong time for cake, so it might be time to head into the kitchen and start baking. In this spirit, we’ve rounded up our best cake recipes for every occasion and every skill level.
Chocolate Cake Recipes
For some, cake isn’t cake unless chocolate is involved. I can’t say I disagree. These will satisfy even your deepest craving.
2 / 12
German Chocolate CakeA step-by-step recipe for making a classic German chocolate cake, complete with a gooey coconut-pecan filling and a creamy chocolate frosting.
Go to Recipe 3 / 12
Texas Sheet Cake This classic Texan cake is rich in chocolate flavor with a delicious, gooey texture from warm frosting melding with the warm cake.
Go to Recipe 4 / 12
Ding Dong Cake Inspired by the classic snack, this decadent chocolate cake is filled with a fluffy marshmallow-esque frosting and covered in fudgy ganache.
Go to Recipe 7 / 12
Easy Chocolate Lava CakesWith just five ingredients, this classic restaurant dessert is surprisingly easy to whip up at home, and thanks to their surprise-inside center, they're guaranteed to delight whoever you're serving.
Go to Recipe 10 / 12
Chocolate Banana Cake This easy chocolate-banana sheet cake with salted peanut butter cream cheese frosting is quite possibly the best ever way to use up those overripe bananas on your counter.
Go to Recipe 12 / 12
Flourless Chocolate CakeA truly flourless chocolate cake that manages to be light and rich at the same time. It's genuinely gluten-free, fabulously foolproof, and all chocolate.
Go to Recipe Vanilla Cake Recipes
A humble vanilla cake is simplicity at its very best. These are bright, cheery, and totally classic.
1 / 10
Yellow Cake The best birthdays have this homemade yellow cake with chocolate frosting: it’s moist, fluffy, and flavorful.
Go to Recipe 5 / 10
Hot Milk Cake Meet the foolproof hot milk cake, a fluffy and not-too-sweet sponge cake. that will be the life of the party.
Go to Recipe 7 / 10
Vanilla Magic CakeMagic cakes are a one-pan wonder for folks who love lots of different textures in their desserts, thanks to a custardy center and cake-like top.
Go to Recipe Birthday Cake Recipes
Is it even a birthday if cake isn’t involved? These festive recipes are the perfect way to celebrate.
10 / 12
Thandai Layer CakeThis layer cake is a true celebration from the Thandai masala-infused sponge cake, milk soak, almond-fennel cream, and beautiful floral decorations.
Go to Recipe 12 / 12
Pistachio CakeThis three-layer pistachio cake contains no artificial flavors, cake mix, or pudding mix, but is still infused with a delicate pistachio flavor.
Go to Recipe Bundt Cake Recipes
A Bundt is one of the most likable cakes around. It’s easy to make, feeds everyone, and also feels perfectly homey.
1 / 12
The Best Foolproof Bundt CakeThis Bundt cake is simple enough for absolutely anyone to make, classic enough to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds, but special enough that you’ll turn to it time and time again.
Go to Recipe Poke Cake Recipes
Poke cake is exactly what it sounds like: a cake poked full of holes! But why add this seemingly silly step to an already delicious cake? Because it’s going to soak up a delicious topping.
2 / 5
Pink Champagne Poke Cake A riff on the classic, this pink Champagne cake treats you to moist, tender cake lightly spiked with Champagne and dotted with wells of strawberry syrup.
Go to Recipe 4 / 5
Cherry-Almond Poke CakeA completely delicious almond-flecked crumb, dripping in luscious cream and cherry syrup, with a tangy, sour cream frosting really takes it over the top.
Cupcake Recipes
While cupcakes might have been a trend, it’s hard not to like their individual size, so they’re definitely a trend worth keeping around.
Easy Cake Recipes
If you’re a beginner baker, start here. These simple cake recipes won’t steer you wrong and you’ll have killer results.
1 / 14
Do-Nothing CakeDo-Nothing Cake often starts with boxed cake mix, but our homemade version is just as easy: A one-bowl cake is topped with a buttery glaze that soaks into the pineapple-studded cake.
Go to Recipe 
