Arts and EntertainmentScience and TechnologyBaking
Shield your eyes if you're on a diet.
By
Kristen AikenHead of Life and CommerceHummingbird High
Is a birthday without a cake really a birthday at all?
Sure, we’ve had happy birthdays that were celebrated with key lime pie and brownie sundaes. But even if you’re not a cake person, nothing says “I love you,” or “I love you but I’m afraid to tell you because I fear rejection,” or maybe just “I can tolerate sitting next to you at work pretty well, at least on most days” better than a cake.
Making a layer cake does take a little effort ― there are multiple layers to be baked, each of which needs proper cooling before stacking it up and frosting it without it toppling over. We’ve got 50 of those gorgeous doozies for you below.
If you’re a little less ambitious or less coordinated, go with a sheet cake. Most of them just require a quick bake in the oven, some time cooling on the counter and an easy dollop of frosting on top. We’ve got 25 of those recipes for you below.
Now go forth and bake with courage. You’re about to make someone’s day.
LAYER CAKES
1
Classic Yellow Cake With Chocolate Creme Fraiche Frosting
Hummingbird High
Get the Classic Yellow Cake With Chocolate Creme Fraiche Frosting recipe from Hummingbird High
2
Brooklyn Blackout Cake
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Brooklyn Blackout Cake recipe from Half Baked Harvest
3
Bourbon Butterscotch Layer Cake
Completely Delicious
Get the Bourbon Butterscotch Layer Cake recipe from Completely Delicious
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4
From Scratch Strawberry Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
I Am Baker
Get the From Scratch Strawberry Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from I Am Baker
5
Chocolate Avocado Cake
I Am Baker
Get the Chocolate Avocado Cake recipe from I Am Baker
6
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7
8
Zucchini Caramel Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream
Completely Delicious
Get the Zucchini Caramel Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream recipe from Completely Delicious
9
Vegan Chocolate Cake with Creamy Chocolate Almond Butter "Buttercream"
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Vegan Chocolate Cake with Creamy Chocolate Almond Butter "Buttercream" recipe from Half Baked Harvest
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10
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Cake
Hummingbird High
Get the Vietnamese Iced Coffee Cake recipe from Hummingbird High
11
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Sallys Baking Addiction
Get the Chocolate Zucchini Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
12
Pinata Cake
Sallys Baking Addiction
Get the Pinata Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
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13
Homemade Strawberry Cake
Sallys Baking Addiction
Get the Homemade Strawberry Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
14
Salted Caramel Apple Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Salted Caramel Apple Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
15
Chocolate Cake With Lavender Ruffled Frosting
Hummingbird High
Get the Chocolate Cake With Lavender Ruffled Frosting recipe from Hummingbird High
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16
Six-Layer Chocolate Cake With Toasted Marshmallow Filling And Malted Chocolate Frosting
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Six-Layer Chocolate Cake With Toasted Marshmallow Filling And Malted Chocolate Frosting recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
17
Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
18
6-Layer Chocolate Sprinkle Cake
Sweetapolita
Get the 6-Layer Chocolate Sprinkle Cake recipe from Sweetapolita
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19
3-Layer Pistachio Cake
Handle The Heat
Get the 3-Layer Pistachio Cake recipe from Handle The Heat
20
Bananas Foster Layer Cake
Life, Love And Sugar
Get the Bananas Foster Layer Cake recipe from Life, Love And Sugar
21
Raspberry Chocolate Chip Layer Cake
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Raspberry Chocolate Chip Layer Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
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22
Three Layer Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Cake
Pineapple & Coconut
Get the Three Layer Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Cake recipe from Pineapple & Coconut
23
Matcha Green Tea Cake With Vanilla Honey Cream Cheese Frosting
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Matcha Green Tea Cake With Vanilla Honey Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Half Baked Harvest
24
Chocolate Bourbon Peanut Butter Buckeye Cake
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Chocolate Bourbon Peanut Butter Buckeye Cake recipe from Half Baked Harvest
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25
White Chocolate Malt Cake
Hummingbird High
Get the White Chocolate Malt Cake recipe from Hummingbird High
26
Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake Cake
I Am Baker
Get the Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake Cake recipe from I Am Baker
27
Oreo Layer Cake
Life, Love & Sugar
Get the Oreo Layer Cake recipe from Life, Love & Sugar
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28
Nutella Chocolate Cake
Life, Love & Sugar
Get the Nutella Chocolate Cake recipe from Life, Love & Sugar
29
Boozy Yellow Birthday Cake With Chocolate Frosting And Caramelized White Chocolate Ganache
Hummingbird High
Get the Boozy Yellow Birthday Cake With Chocolate Frosting And Caramelized White Chocolate Ganache recipe from Hummingbird High
30
Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Layer Cake
Averie Cooks
Get the Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Layer Cake recipe from Averie Cooks
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31
Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake
Completely Delicious
Get the Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake recipe from Completely Delicious
32
33
Vanilla Caramel Latte Cake
Annie's Eats
Get the Vanilla Caramel Latte Cake recipe from Annie's Eats
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34
Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake recipe from Half Baked Harvest
35
Mississippi Mudslide Cake
I Am Baker
Get the Mississippi Mudslide Cake recipe from I Am Baker
36
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37
Coconut Cream Lime Cake
Completely Delicious
Get the Coconut Cream Lime Cake recipe from Completely Delicious
38
Zebra Cake
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Zebra Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
39
Boston Cream Pie
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Boston Cream Pie recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
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40
Fudgy One-Bowl Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pretzel Cake
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Fudgy One-Bowl Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pretzel Cake recipe from Half Baked Harvest
41
Southern Coconut Cake
Completely Delicious
Get the Southern Coconut Cake recipe from Completely Delicious
42
Red Velvet Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Red Velvet Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
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43
Cookies And Cream Oreo Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Cookies And Cream Oreo Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
44
Funfetti Cake
Completely Delicious
Get the Funfetti Cake recipe from Completely Delicious
45
Chocolate And Earl Grey London Fog Layer Cake
Hummingbird High
Get the Chocolate And Earl Grey London Fog Layer Cake recipe from Hummingbird High
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46
Banana Cake With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Banana Cake With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
47
Sweet Potato Spice Cake
Completely Delicious
Get the Sweet Potato Spice Cake recipe from Completely Delicious
48
Banana and Chocolate Crunch Cake with Graham Cracker Frosting
Hummingbird High
Get the Banana and Chocolate Crunch Cake with Graham Cracker Frosting recipe from Hummingbird High
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49
Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird High
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe from Hummingbird High
50
Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Macaron Cake
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Macaron Cake recipe from Half Baked Harvest
SHEET CAKES
1
Funfetti Sheet Cake
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Funfetti Sheet Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
2
Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
Handle The Heat
Get the Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake recipe from Handle The Heat
3
Copycat Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Cake
I Am Baker
Get the Copycat Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Cake recipe from I Am Baker
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4
White Chocolate And Raspberry Sheet Cake
Hummingbird High
Get the White Chocolate And Raspberry Sheet Cake recipe from Hummingbird High
5
Chocolate Sheet Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
6
Pineapple Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Pineapple Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
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7
Tres Leches Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Tres Leches Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
8
Chocolate Caramel Poke Cake
Handle The Heat
Get the Chocolate Caramel Poke Cake recipe from Handle The Heat
9
Yellow Sheet Cake With Fudge Frosting
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Yellow Sheet Cake With Fudge Frosting recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
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10
Best Banana Cake
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Best Banana Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
11
Chocolate Mint Texas Sheet Cake
A Spicy Perspective
Get the Chocolate Mint Texas Sheet Cake recipe from A Spicy Perspective
12
Oatmeal Raisin Snack Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Oatmeal Raisin Snack Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
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13
Black Forest Sheet Cake
Macheesmo
Get the Black Forest Sheet Cake recipe from Macheesmo
14
Carrot Sheet Cake
Handle The Heat
Get the Carrot Sheet Cake recipe from Handle The Heat
15
Chocolate Mudslide Poke Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Chocolate Mudslide Poke Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
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16
17
Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
18
Banana Sheet Cake
Roxana's Home Baking
Get the Banana Sheet Cake recipe by Roxana's Home Baking
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19
Peppermint Texas Sheet Cake
Recipe Girl
Get the Peppermint Texas Sheet Cake recipe from Recipe Girl
20
The Best Pumpkin Cake
Sally's Baking Addiction
Get the Best Pumpkin Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction
21
Chocolate Dump-It Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Chocolate Dump-It Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
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22
Red Currant Walnut Sheet Cake
Catalina Bakes
Get the Red Currant Walnut Sheet Cake recipe from Catalina Bakes
23
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Red Velvet Poke Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
24
Banana-Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Banana-Chocolate Chip Snack Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
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25
Coconut Sheet Cake
Cooking Classy
Get the Coconut Sheet Cake recipe from Cooking Classy
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Before You Go
Carrot Cake Recipes
"My All-Time Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe"(01 of18)
Get "My All-Time Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe" from Brown Eyed Baker (credit:Brown Eyed Baker)
Pineapple Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting(02 of18)
Get the Pineapple Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction (credit:Sally's Baking Addiction)
Classic Carrot Cake(03 of18)
Get the Classic Carrot Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction (credit:Sally's Baking Addiction)
1-Bowl Carrot Apple Snack Cake(04 of18)
Get the 1-Bowl Carrot Apple Snack Cake recipe from Minimalist Baker (credit:Minimalist Baker)
Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Pineapple(05 of18)
Get the Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Pineapple recipe from Whisk It Real Gud (credit:Whisk It Real Gud)
Carrot Cake Cheesecake(06 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake Cheesecake recipe from Cooking Classy (credit:Cooking Classy)
Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting(07 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Lovely Little Kitchen (credit:Lovely Little Kitchen)
Coconut Carrot Cake Cupcakes(08 of18)
Get the Coconut Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction (credit:Sally's Baking Addiction)
Carrot Cake Bars(09 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake Bars recipe from I Am Baker (credit:I Am Baker)
"My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe"(10 of18)
Get the "My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe" from Sally's Baking Addiction (credit:Sally's Baking Addiction)
Carrot Cake With Cardamom(11 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake with Cardamom recipe from hollyshaner via Food52 (credit:James Ransom/Food52)
Carrot Cake Gooey Bars(12 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake Gooey Bars recipe from Life, Love And Sugar (credit:Life, Love And Sugar)
Salted Caramel Carrot Cake(13 of18)
Get the Salted Caramel Carrot Cake recipe from Averie Cooks (credit:Averie Cooks)
Carrot Cake With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting(14 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from The Faux Martha (credit:The Faux Martha)
Carrot Cake Bars With Orange Cream Cheese Frosting(15 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake Bars With Orange Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from A Classic Twist (credit:A Classic Twist)
Super-Moist Carrot Cake(16 of18)
Get the Super-Moist Carrot Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction (credit:Sally's Baking Addiction)
Carrot Cake(17 of18)
Get the Carrot Cake recipe from Grandbaby Cakes (credit:Grandbaby Cakes)
Sky-High Carrot Cake With Coconut-Cream Cheese Swiss Meringue Buttercream(18 of18)
Get the Sky-High Carrot Cake with Coconut-Cream Cheese Swiss Meringue Buttercream recipe from Sugar Hero (credit:Sugar Hero)
