10+ Easy Cake Recipes to Bake Deliciously Simple Treats

Making a cake doesn’t have to be hard or take a lot of time. Whether you’re new to baking or just want a quick treat, easy cake recipes help you get a delicious dessert with less effort.

These simple recipes use common ingredients and clear steps to get you baking confidently.

You don’t need fancy tools or skills to enjoy a homemade cake. With basic ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can bake a tasty cake that’s perfect for any occasion.

This guide will show you how to make quick, enjoyable cakes that fit your schedule and pantry.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together sugar and butter until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the mixture.
5. Stir in milk until batter is smooth.
6. Pour into a greased 9×9 inch pan.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

1) Classic Simple White Cake

This classic white cake is a great choice when you want something easy and tasty. You only need a few basic ingredients, and it comes together quickly.

The cake is soft, light, and perfect for any occasion. You can frost it with your favorite icing or enjoy it plain.

It’s also sturdy enough if you want to stack layers or decorate it with fondant. The recipe is straightforward, so even if you’re new to baking, you’ll find it easy to follow.

Baking at the right temperature helps the cake rise well and stay moist.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together sugar and butter until smooth.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture.
5. Stir in the milk until the batter feels smooth.
6. Pour batter into a greased 9-inch round pan.
7. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let the cake cool before frosting or serving.

This recipe comes from a simple white cake guide at Allrecipes.

2) One-Bowl Easy Chocolate Cake

This one-bowl chocolate cake is perfect when you want an easy dessert with minimal cleanup. You just mix all the ingredients in one bowl, and it bakes up moist and tasty.

The recipe doesn’t need any box mixes. You can make it from scratch with simple ingredients you probably already have.

Top it with your favorite frosting to make it even better. It’s a great choice when you want a quick, homemade cake without a lot of fuss.

You can find a reliable recipe for this method on Crunchy Creamy Sweet.

Ingredients

• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 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 large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
4. Stir in boiling water carefully. The batter will be thin.
5. Pour batter into greased pans.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool before frosting.

3) Super Moist Vanilla Butter Cake

This vanilla butter cake is simple to make and stays moist for days. Start by creaming butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

This creates a soft texture that keeps the cake fresh longer. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.

Mix the dry ingredients like flour and baking powder separately before adding them to the wet mixture. This helps the cake rise evenly and stay tender.

The batter is easy to work with, and the baking temperature is usually around 350°F (175°C). Once baked, let the cake cool before frosting or serving.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
4. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add dry ingredients alternating with milk. Stir in vanilla.
6. Pour batter into greased pan.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool before frosting or serving.

For more details, you can check a reliable vanilla butter cake recipe.

4) 5-Minute Quick Cake

If you want a cake fast, a 5-minute quick cake is a great choice. You can make it in a mug using the microwave.

It’s perfect for when you want something sweet but don’t have much time or many ingredients. This cake usually takes just a few simple ingredients, like flour, sugar, milk, and an egg.

You mix everything right in the mug, then microwave it for about one minute. You’ll have a small, warm cake ready to enjoy fast.

You can try different flavors, like vanilla or chocolate, by adding cocoa powder or vanilla extract. It’s an easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without baking a whole cake in the oven.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe mug, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cocoa powder (if using).
2. Add egg, milk, and oil. Stir until smooth.
3. Microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes.
4. Let cool for a minute before eating.

Try this quick cake from Manu’s Menu for a simple version.

5) Easy Berry Icebox Cake

This no-bake dessert is great if you want something simple and fresh. You layer graham crackers, whipped cream, and fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.

The crackers soften as the cake chills, making a creamy, fruity treat. You don’t need to turn on the oven, so it’s perfect for warm days.

After layering, chill the cake in the fridge for a few hours. This helps the flavors blend and the cake set.

You can use homemade vanilla whipped cream or store-bought cream. If you want, add a little cream cheese pudding mix for extra creaminess.

Ingredients

• Graham crackers
• Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Heavy cream or store-bought whipped cream
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• (Optional) Cream cheese pudding mix

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat heavy cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. Spread a layer of whipped cream on a dish.
3. Add a layer of graham crackers.
4. Arrange fresh berries on top.
5. Repeat layers, ending with whipped cream and berries.
6. Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

6) Sheet Pan Chocolate Cake

Sheet pan chocolate cake is a simple and handy recipe when you want a big, delicious cake. You bake it all in one pan, which means less mess and easy cleanup.

This cake is rich, moist, and perfect for slicing into squares for a party or snack. You can frost it with chocolate icing or keep it plain if you like.

It’s great when you want a quick dessert that doesn’t take a lot of effort.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter
• 4 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
3. Melt butter with cocoa powder and boiling water.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla.
5. Pour batter into a greased sheet pan.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool before frosting or slicing.

You can try this easy sheet pan cake for a quick chocolate treat. For more details, see this Sheet Pan Chocolate Cake.

7) Japanese-Style Plush Yellow Cake

If you want a soft and moist cake, this Japanese-style plush yellow cake is a great choice. It uses simple ingredients but has a light texture that melts in your mouth.

The method includes folding the batter carefully to keep it fluffy. This cake stays moist for days and has a gentle vanilla flavor.

You don’t need to be an expert baker to make it. Using some Japanese techniques makes a big difference in the texture.

You can use this cake for birthdays or any special occasion. It’s not too sweet and works well with fresh fruit or cream toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cake flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Separate the egg whites and yolks.
3. Whisk yolks, sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet mix.
5. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form.
6. Gently fold egg whites into batter in batches.
7. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch pan.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8) Quick No-Frosting Cake

If you want a simple cake without frosting, try a no-frosting cake. These cakes have a soft, moist texture and highlight flavors like vanilla or almond.

Dust the top with powdered sugar or drizzle chocolate syrup for extra taste. You can also add fresh fruit or nuts on top for crunch.

This cake is fast to make. You don’t have to wait for frosting to set.

It’s great for last-minute treats or when you want something easy and tasty.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each.
4. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
5. In another bowl, combine flour and baking powder.
6. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk to the butter mixture.
7. Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool. Dust with powdered sugar if you like.

9) Tender Super Simple Cake

This tender cake is perfect when you want an easy dessert. It uses simple ingredients you likely have at home.

You don’t need special tools, just basic kitchen equipment. The cake turns out moist and soft.

It’s a good choice if you want a quick treat without spending much time in the kitchen. This recipe is great for beginners or anyone who wants a straightforward cake.

You can enjoy it plain or add your favorite frosting or fruit on top.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add gradually with milk.
5. Pour batter into a greased 9-inch round pan.
6. Bake 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool before serving.

10) Beginner-Friendly Sponge Cake

If you’re new to baking, a sponge cake is a great place to start. This cake feels light and fluffy because eggs create air in the batter.

You don’t need many ingredients. You probably already have the basics at home.

Whisk the eggs and sugar until the mixture looks thick and pale. Gently fold in the flour to keep the air inside.

This step helps the cake rise and stay soft. You can enjoy the cake plain or dusted with powdered sugar.

Add your favorite jam or frosting if you like. This simple cake works well for many occasions.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar (210 grams)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (130 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale.
3. Sift flour and baking powder, then fold into the egg mixture gently.
4. Pour batter into a greased cake pan.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before removing from the pan.