35 Birthday Cake Recipes That Are Actually Easy to Pull Off
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Everyone’s birthday should be special, and baking a cake with plenty of love is a great first step. But let’s face it: We’re not all exactly professional bakers. Before you start trying to sculpt that fondant unicorn you saw on Pinterest, let’s try something a little more realistic. Here are 35 fabulous birthday cake recipes that everyone will love…and that you’ll actually be able to make.
What Type of Cake Is Best for Birthdays?
The answer to that question depends on a few things, like who you’re making the cake for and how many people you plan on feeding. If you’re not sure of the guest of honor’s favorite flavors, stick with something classic like chocolate or vanilla—you can’t go wrong with the all-time classic birthday cake recipe, yellow cake with chocolate buttercream. From there, decide whether a single layer cake would be sufficient, or if a multi-layer creation would better suit your guest list. (Not up for layers? Sheet cake is an easy way to feed a crowd.)
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35 Birthday Cake Recipes for Any Celebration
1. Very Best Vanilla Cake
RecipeTin Eats
Time Commitment: 2 hours, 50 minutes (includes cooling time)
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
Let’s start with a classic. Haters will say vanilla is boring, but done right, the flavor is complex, crowd-pleasing and ideal for a celebratory occasion. Plus, you can’t deny that it’s a great blank slate for accompanying flavors (or sprinkles). This one stays plush and moist for up to four days, thanks to the addition of oil in the batter.
2. Confetti Layer Cake
Sally's Baking Recipes
Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes cooling time)
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
We’d never judge you for mixing up a boxed confetti cake, but if you can make a basic batter from scratch, why not just gild the lily with sprinkles? Baker’s tip: Don’t use nonpareils (aka the little colored balls) because they’ll bleed into the cake. Instead, use confetti quins (the flat discs) or good ol’ American-style rainbow sprinkles.
3. Gluten-Free Super-Moist Chocolate Cake
BAKED TO PERFECTION
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, gluten free, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
You want to make a showstopper of a chocolate birthday cake, but there’s a catch: It can’t have gluten in it. Friend, this is the recipe for you. It’s ultra-tender and, true to its name, moist, so even gluten-eating party guests will devour a slice with glee.
4. Old-Fashioned Vegan Banana Cake with Creamy Cashew Frosting
The Full Helping
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, crowd-pleaser
It’s like a lighter, fluffier version of banana bread that happens to be plant-based. If there are any leftovers (unlikely), enjoy a slice with your afternoon cup of tea or coffee.
5. Chocolate Icebox Cake with Caramel Drizzle
What’s Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why We Love It: no bake, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
For summer birthdays, no one really wants to turn on the oven. Instead, try making this super retro no-bake cake, which comes together in the fridge. It’s a little harder to put the candles in, but so delicious that we’re sure no one will care.
6. Ombre Ice Cream Cake
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Why We Love It: no bake, make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
This gorgeous number is as easy as opening a bunch of containers of ice cream. Plus, you can customize it to the birthday person's favorite color.
7. Fluffy and Moist Coconut Cake
Sally's Baking Recipes
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
We know it’s a divisive flavor, but in our book, there’s no such think as too much coconut. If you’re the type of person to agree, you’ll go wild for a slice of this masterpiece. It gets its decadent texture and rich flavor from coconut milk in the batter, yum.
8. Piñata Cake
Sally’s Baking Recipes
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
Imagine the look on your kid’s face when he cuts into his cake and candy starts pouring out. We agree: It’s worth a few extra (easy) steps, like slicing a hole in each layer and filling it with sugary confections.
9. Cookie Cake with Sprinkles
Dinner at the Zoo
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
What could possibly be better than a chocolate chip cookie? A giant, cake-sized one with frosting and sprinkles, of course. It’s a great alternative for anyone who isn’t a big fan of cake. (Hey, it’s a thing.)
10. Best Yellow Cake
Sally's Baking Recipes
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
There’s just something about this combination of batter and frosting that screams birthday cake. Here, heavy cream makes an extra creamy buttercream, but regular milk can be substituted if that’s what you have on hand.
11. Rainbow Waffle Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
The best way to wake up the birthday girl or boy? A stack of frosted rainbow waffles topped with candles. Now that’s a good morning. (As an added bonus, you don’t need any decorating skills.)
12. Birthday Cake Petit Fours
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Fact: Everything’s more fun when it’s mini. And if you can eat it with your hands in rapid succession? Even better. Take that, cupcakes.
13. Chocolate Vanilla Birthday Cake
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
As it turns out, you *don’t* need to choose between chocolate and vanilla. This classic, super-moist cake will give your party the best of both worlds.
14. Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream Cake
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 6 hours
Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Why run out to the store to buy an ice cream cake when they’re surprisingly easy to assemble at home? We love the no-brainer combination of peanut butter and chocolate, but feel free to sub in vanilla, strawberry or any other flavor you like.
15. Six Layer S’mores Cake
Spoon Fork Bacon
Time Commitment: 5 hours, 25 minutes (includes cooling time)
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
We’re drooling over this graham cracker cake with chocolate ganache and toasted marshmallow frosting. On paper, it’s a little more involved than a standard birthday cake, but break it down step-by-step and it’s very doable. Prep the layers ahead of time so all you have to do the day of is assemble.
16. Cake Batter No-Bake Cheesecakes
Gimme Some Oven
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, <15 minutes
When you’re really pinched for time, these are a total lifesaver. They’re festive, delicious and come together in about 15 minutes. (And yeah, we consider cheesecake a type of cake—don’t you?)
17. Gluten-Free Birthday Cake
Minimalist Baker
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, vegan
Here’s proof that following a special diet doesn’t mean giving up the most important treat of the year. This beauty isn’t just gluten-free, it’s also vegan to boot. Top it with seasonal fruit for a birthday-worthy dessert.
18. Red Velvet Lava Cakes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
These mini cakes are perfect for a low-key, grown-up birthday party, because you’re sophisticated like that. They look so fancy your guests will never believe they took you less than an hour to make.
19. Lemon-Blueberry Poke Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Only eight ingredients stand between you and your prettiest summer dessert yet. The secret? Boxed cake mix. And if you’re unfamiliar with a poke cake, it’s a cake you literally poke all over—then top with a gooey sauce that seeps into the holes, infusing the entire thing with flavor and moisture.
20. Texas Sheet Cake
Matt Armendariz/Eat What You Want
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Everything’s bigger in Texas. That’s why this simple staple is made in a massive 18-by-13-inch baking sheet. Sure, it serves a crowd, but it also takes no time to bake—ingenious, if you ask us.
21. The Ultimate White Cake
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
Hear us out. We love over-the-top rainbow cakes with all the bells and whistles. But white cake is a timeless classic, and this recipe takes you to dessert heaven in just one hour.
22. Brownie Layer Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Your guests are clamoring for dessert already. Must be the double-decker brownies loaded with chocolate chips, chopped nuts and whipped cream. We love a cakey cake as much as the next person, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up.
23. Naked Lemon and Olive Oil Layer Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
Your birthday tea party’s centerpiece? Check. The olive oil cake gets just the right amount of sweetness from homemade lemon frosting.
24. Sticky Toffee Honeycomb Cake
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Why We Love It:
You’ve tried sticky toffee pudding, the British sponge cake made with dates and toffee sauce. Enter its drool-worthy cousin, dressed in thick caramel made from honeycomb and butter. Extra whip, please.
25. Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cider Frosting
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Have autumn babies in the family? You have to try this apple cider frosting, rich with butter, confectioners’ sugar and boiled cider. Try making your own cider (or lean on a jug of store-bought).
26. Chocolate Bread Pudding Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Bread pudding is delicious. But pretty? Not always. A springform pan solves that problem here, as does a generous drizzle of easy, three-ingredient icing.
27. Chocolate Chip Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Cake and cookies are two queens we’re always pitting against each other. This dessert gives us both in just 55 minutes. Our forks are ready.
28. Easy Lemon-Hibiscus Layer Cake
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
Hello, summer in a birthday cake. You surprisingly won’t find any food coloring in the frosting. Thank hibiscus tea bags for its pretty-in-pink hue.
29. Grilled Angel Food Cake with Blueberry Sauce
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Bet you didn’t think you’d be putting cake on the barbecue this summer. The light-as-air dessert gets a hint of smoky flavor from light char marks, plus a burst of sweetness and brightness from lemon-blueberry sauce.
30. Candy Bar Ice Cream Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Why We Love It: no bake, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Three ingredients, zero cook time: That’s a cake we can get behind. Just buy your favorite ice cream and get to layering.
31. Strawberry Sponge Cake
MARK ROPER/SO FRENCH SO SWEET
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
Isn’t she gorgeous? Caster sugar (a type of super-fine granulated sugar) and whisked eggs keep the recipe airy, while the icing is an ingenious combo of mashed fresh strawberries and confectioners’ sugar.
32. Cookies-and-Cream Naked Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
If you find most naked cakes boring, stop right here. This one’s topped with chocolate sandwich cookies and bittersweet chocolate ganache to take things over the top without a ton of frosting.
33. Olive Oil Cake with Creamy Chocolate Frosting
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
When you think birthday cake, you probably don’t think “ready in less than an hour” or “lasts for days,” do you? This one checks both boxes and you don’t need a stand mixer to make it. We’re having seconds. And thirds.
34. 30-Minute Angel Food Cupcakes
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Lots of guests to feed? Cupcakes are always a hit, and these are basically strawberry clouds. Sounds like an easy win to us.
35. Birthday-Cake Pie
Mark Weinberg/The Book on Pie
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
A cake batter–like custard filling, speckled with sprinkles and topped with chocolate meringue, inside a flaky crust? Yeah, we’re definitely not waiting for a birthday to make this dessert.
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