25 Homemade Cakes That Everyone Should Bake At Least Once
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Let's start here: There's nothing wrong with boxed cake mix. It's the secret ingredient in Ree Drummond's super easy chocolate cake and it can even be used to make her cake mix cookies. But if you're looking to step up your baking skills or you just want a show-stopping dessert for a special occasion, these cake recipes made from scratch are sure to impress. All you need are a variety of classic homemade cake recipes, a simple frosting or cake decorating ideas, and a few decorating tools—plus, a few tips from Ree herself.
When it comes to making a successful cake recipe, Ree has a few tricks up her sleeve. First, she says that buttermilk is key! "I wind up with the fluffiest cakes when the recipe calls for buttermilk," Ree says, "try substituting buttermilk instead of milk in your favorite recipe." Or opt for a recipe that already uses it, like the pumpkin sheet cake or the chocolate strawberry Nutella cake. Another tip for making perfect cakes at home: don't overmix! "The more you beat the batter, the more the gluten will develop, and the tougher the cake will be!" Ree says.
Whether you're keeping things simple with an easy sheet cake recipe, letting the pan do a lot of work with a Bundt cake, or going all-out with a gorgeous layered cake, these homemade cakes will make birthdays, holidays, or even any weekday feel extra special.
Lemon Cake
Lemon juice and lemon zest in both the cake and the frosting makes every bite of this beauty bright and flavorful. Topping it all with white chocolate curls makes it extra impressive.
Get the Lemon Cake recipe.
Chocolate Bundt Cake
Attention, chocolate lovers! Get a double dose with this impressive Bundt. You can make it for any occasion really, but it's extra special when you coordinate the sprinkles on top.
Get the Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Just because something is made from scratch doesn't mean you can't use a few hacks to save time. Here, you can use jarred cherries and canned pineapple slices to speed things up.
Get the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Hummingbird Cake
If you've never had this classic Southern cake, you're in for a treat―literally! It's gently spiced with cinnamon and super moist thanks to banana and crushed pineapple in the batter.
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
Best Birthday Cake
A moist chocolate cake with layers of classic vanilla buttercream is the best way to celebrate a birthday, no matter who it is! It's so much more impressive than anything bought at the store.
Get the Best Birthday Cake recipe.
Coconut Layer Cake
This beautiful cake isn't lacking in flavor. It has coconut extract in the batter and shredded coconut for decoration.
Get Ree's Coconut Layer Cake recipe.
Coffee-Toffee Crunch Cake
This cake is for the real coffee lovers' out there! There's instant coffee in both the cake batter and the frosting for the ultimate boost of caffeine.
Get Ree's Coffee-Toffee Crunch Cake recipe.
Chocolate Sheet Cake
This simple cake is a Drummond family-favorite! It's perfect for just about any occasion—from birthdays to Christmas parties to school bake sales.
Get Ree's Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe.
Sigrid's Carrot Cake
This classic carrot cake recipe is so versatile that you can adjust it based on your preferences. Turn it into a Bundt cake or even a sheet cake, but whatever you do—don't forget the cream cheese frosting!
Get Ree's Carrot Cake recipe.
Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Maple Buttercream
If you thought cakes were for professionals, we've got some good news! This one-bowl cake is easy enough for any skill level. It's lightly spiced, moist, and delicious to serve with a dusting of powdered sugar or homemade brown butter maple frosting if you prefer.
Get the Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Maple Buttercream recipe.
Chocolate Ganache Cake
This simple, yet elegant cake, is made in one layer so it couldn't be easier. It's rich and chocolatey, with a fancy swirl of peanut butter on top.
Get the Chocolate Ganache Cake.
Lemon Pound Cake
If you're looking for a cake that you can eat any time of day, this recipe is for you! Its bright, lemony flavor would work just as well at brunch as it would for dessert.
Get the Lemon Pound Cake.
Tres Leches Cake
The Spanish name for this cake, "tres leches," translates to "three milks." And that's exactly how it's made. The cake is soaked in heavy cream, evaporated milk, and sweetened, condensed milk to make it extremely moist.
Get Ree's Tres Leches Cake recipe
Apple Cake
This cake is simple, wholesome, and incredibly flavorful! It's loaded with fresh apples, apple butter, cinnamon, and toasted pecans.
Get the Apple Cake recipe.
Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake
This decadent cake is layered with goodness—from the chocolate cake layers and Nutella frosting to the whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Best of all, it comes together in less than an hour!
Get Ree's Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Sheet Cake
For another variation on homemade sheet cakes, try this pumpkin sheet cake topped with cream cheese frosting. It's perfect for pumpkin spice season or any time the craving strikes.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Sheet Cake recipe.
Chocolate Wacky Cake
You don't need a mixing bowl (or even a whisk!) to make this fluffy chocolate cake. Just add all the ingredients to the baking pan and mix it up with a fork. It’s truly wacky and wonderful!
Get the Chocolate Wacky Cake recipe.
Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake
This pretty-in-pink sheet cake is perfect for Mother's Day, bridal showers, or any spring/summer party. Use the rosé wine to add moisture to the cake, then pour yourself a glass with the extras!
Get the Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake recipe.
Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet
Inverting this skillet cake to reveal the caramelize apple slices on the bottom might sound scary, but no matter how it turns out, it’s sure to taste delicious. Especially when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get Ree's Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cake
This perfectly spiced, caramel-glazed pumpkin Bundt cake might look fancy, but it's surprising easy to make. Just be sure to grease the pan well so the cake doesn't stick.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Cake recipe.
Gingerbread Cake
To balance out the warm holiday spices in this gingerbread cake, top it with a tangy cream cheese frosting that has a touch of bright lemon zest.
Get the Gingerbread Cake recipe.
Fourth of July Cake
This berry-topped flag cake is as much fun to make as it is to eat! It's the perfect addition to your backyard BBQ.
Get Ree's Fourth of July Cake recipe.
Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake
This is the kind of cake that will put a smile on anyone's face! It's easier than it looks since it has a layer of chocolate ganache frosting that can cover any cracks from rolling the cake.
Get the Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake recipe.
Eggnog Cake
Creamy eggnog and a hint of bourbon add a nice richness to this holiday cake without being too overbearing. To bake this cake to perfection, use a lighter colored pan to prevent the sides of the cake from getting too dark.
Get the Eggnog Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Roll Cake
You can make this beautiful cake using a half sheet pan. Once it comes out of the oven, work quickly to roll the cake and prevent any cracking.
Get the Pumpkin Roll Cake recipe.
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