10 Homemade Cakes Recipes That Are Easy to Make

Cakes have been at the center of celebrations for centuries, with the earliest references to cake-making dating back to the 13th century. What’s fascinating is that before sugar became widely available, cakes were more like sweetened bread, often flavored with dried fruits and honey. Today, cake making has evolved into both an art and science, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated. In fact, some of the most delicious cakes require minimal ingredients and expertise.

Homemade cakes carry a certain charm that store-bought versions simply cannot match. The aroma that fills your home as a cake bakes in the oven creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort that’s impossible to replicate. Whether you’re a beginner or simply looking for hassle-free recipes, these ten easy homemade cakes will satisfy your sweet tooth without demanding professional skills or specialty equipment.

1. Classic Vanilla Sponge Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually fold into the butter mixture.
5. Add milk and stir until just combined.
6. Divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool completely before frosting with your choice of buttercream or whipped cream.

2. One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).
5. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
6. Cool completely before frosting with chocolate ganache or buttercream.

3. Lemon Yogurt Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (245g) plain yogurt
• 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 3 large eggs
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, combine yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and oil.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
5. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes.
6. While still warm, pour lemon juice mixed with 1/3 cup sugar over the cake.
7. Cool completely before serving.

4. Easy Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (180ml) vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups (300g) grated carrots
• 1/2 cup (50g) chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, whisk together sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, then fold in carrots and walnuts if using.
5. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
6. Cool completely before frosting with cream cheese frosting.

5. Simple Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups (about 3 medium) peeled and diced apples
• 1 cup (100g) chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In another bowl, combine oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, then fold in apples and walnuts.
5. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally dusted with powdered sugar.

6. No-Bake Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (200g) graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup (115g) melted butter
• 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream, whipped
• Fresh berries for topping

Instructions:

1. Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Chill crust in refrigerator while preparing filling.
3. Beat cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla.
4. Fold in whipped cream until well combined.
5. Pour over prepared crust and smooth the top.
6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Top with fresh berries before serving.

7. Banana Bread Cake

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2/3 cup (150g) melted butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (50g) chopped walnuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix mashed bananas and melted butter.
3. Mix in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the mixture and stir in.
5. Add flour and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.
7. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes.
8. Cool on a rack before slicing.

8. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60g) butter
• 2/3 cup (135g) brown sugar
• 1 can (20 oz/565g) pineapple rings in juice, drained
• Maraschino cherries
• 1 1/3 cups (170g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup (80g) butter, softened
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120ml) pineapple juice (from can)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9-inch round cake pan; sprinkle with brown sugar.
3. Arrange pineapple slices over sugar mixture; place cherries in centers and gaps.
4. In a bowl, beat remaining ingredients together until well combined.
5. Pour batter over pineapple in pan.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Immediately invert onto serving plate. Let stand 5 minutes before removing pan.

9. Coffee Cake with Streusel

Ingredients: For the streusel:

• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsp cold butter, cubed

For the cake:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240g) sour cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. Make streusel: combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly.
3. For cake: whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
6. Gradually add flour mixture alternating with sour cream.
7. Pour half the batter into pan, sprinkle with half the streusel, add remaining batter, and top with remaining streusel.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

10. Easy Pound Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Optional: 2 tbsp lemon zest or 1 tsp almond extract for flavoring

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Stir in vanilla and any optional flavorings.
5. Gradually fold in flour and salt until just combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Conclusion

The beauty of these homemade cake recipes lies in their simplicity. With basic pantry ingredients and straightforward techniques, you can create delicious treats that rival those from fancy bakeries. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings to make these recipes your own. The joy of baking isn’t just in the eating—it’s in the creating, the sharing, and the memories made around the kitchen table.

Remember that even the most experienced bakers had to start somewhere, and these beginner-friendly recipes are the perfect launching pad for your baking adventures. So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and discover the satisfaction that comes from pulling a perfectly baked cake from the oven—one that you made with your own hands.