16 Easy Cake Recipes (2024)

  • Food
  • Desserts

You don't need to be a pastry chef to bake the perfect cake.

By

Real Simple Editors

16 Easy Cake Recipes (1)

Real Simple Editors

An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.

The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue.

Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on August 25, 2023

Trending Videos

16 Easy Cake Recipes (2)

If you're anything like the participants on Worst Bakers in America, you know you can mess up a cake recipe in many ways, even if you thought you were precise with your measurements. Fortunately, a homemade cake doesn't have to be daunting.

Try one of these quick and easy cake recipes if you're a beginner baker and want to boost your confidence. Each recipe was hand-selected to be simple and relatively painless. In one short afternoon, you'll be able to perfect a delicious crumb cake, cheesecake, chocolate cake, and more.

01of 16

Easy Ice Cream Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (3)

The secret to this astonishingly simple four-ingredient dessert? Using ice cream sandwiches to build your cake.

Get the recipe: Easy Ice Cream Cake

02of 16

Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (4)

Ripe strawberries give vanilla ice cream a beautiful pink hue; top the dessert with fresh whipped cream before serving.

Get the recipe: Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

03of 16

Slow Cooker Apple Spice Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (5)

Cinnamon, cloves, and grated fresh ginger give this dessert a warm, comforting spiciness.

Get the recipe: Apple Spice Cake

04of 16

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (6)

This citrusy, buttery cake can be baked and glazed up to a day in advance.

Get the recipe: Glazed Lemon Pound Cake

05of 16

Chocolate-Earl Grey Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (7)

Add a cup of Earl Grey tea into the batter to infuse the cake with bergamot flavor and fragrance.

Get the recipe: Chocolate-Earl Grey Cake

06of 16

Gingersnap Cherry Cheesecake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (8)

The gingersnap crust is easy to make—just grind the cookies in a food processor, then combine with melted butter and press into a pan.

Get the recipe: Gingersnap Cherry Cheesecake

07of 16

Classic Cheesecake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (9)

This ultra creamy, fabulously rich cheesecake takes just 30 minutes to prep.

Get the recipe: Classic Cheesecake

08of 16

Berry Oat Crumble Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (10)

Sprinkle the berry filling with a tasty oat mixture before baking; the oats will become crumbly, complementing the sweet and juicy berry layer.

Get the recipe: Berry Oat Crumble Cake

09of 16

Plum Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (11)

This gorgeous seven-ingredient cake boasts a delightfully sticky, juicy fruit topping.

Get the recipe: Plum Cake

10of 16

Strawberry Shortcake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (12)

You don't even need to prep anything for this easy strawberry shortcake recipe—simply pick up a tube of homestyle biscuits, strawberries, and whipped cream.

Get the recipe: Strawberry Shortcake

11of 16

Slow Cooker Angel Food Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (13)

Both strawberries and whipped cream provide a decadent topping for this light and easy angel food cake.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Angel Food Cake

12of 16

Nectarine Olive Oil Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (14)

Top this deceivingly easy cake with powdered sugar and serve with sliced nectarines.

Get the recipe: Nectarine Olive Oil Cake

13of 16

Marbled Pound Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (15)

Add a rich chocolate frosting to turn this baked treat into a decadent dessert.

Get the recipe: Marbled Pound Cake

14of 16

Toasted Coconut Refrigerator Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (16)

With just four ingredients—sweetened coconut, heavy cream, vanilla pudding, and ready-made pound cakes—you can create this easy crowd-pleasing dessert.

Get the recipe: Toasted Coconut Refrigerator Cake

15of 16

Slow Cooker Chocolate Pudding Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (17)

This dump cake is incredibly straightforward. Simply drop in the ingredients, set the slow cooker, and forget about it for three hours.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chocolate Pudding Cake

16of 16

Chocolate Hazelnut Swirl Cake

16 Easy Cake Recipes (18)

A cross between a decadent dessert and a breakfast-like coffee cake, this confection gets its zebra-like stripes from hazelnut and chocolate. The crunchy streusel topping ties the entire dish together and makes this dinner party-worthy.

Get the recipe: Chocolate-Hazelnut Swirl Cake

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

16 Easy Cake Recipes (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 6562

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.