23 Easy Cake Recipes for Beginner Bakers

From the Recipe Creator: This one-bowl recipe makes use of a few packaged ingredients, like Nutella (yum!) and a box of cake mix. There’s no shame in using this shortcut when you’re just starting to bake or don’t have the time to whip up something from scratch. Just be sure you’re using a good cake mix like our Test Kitchen’s favorite.

From the Recipe Creator: “This cake is easy to make and is always a big hit,” writes Lisa Varner from Charleston, South Carolina. “I like to serve it with ice cream for a double-dose treat!”

From the Recipe Creator: No need to make a fancy layer cake when you’re just developing your craft. Classic recipes, like carrot cake, can be made easily in a sheet pan. Just bake and frost with a layer of cream cheese icing.

From the Recipe Creator: Pistachio pudding mix gives this moist cake a pretty tint of green. As it bakes, the outside browns nicely to form a slightly crunchy crust. The cake slices beautifully and would make a fun dessert for St. Patrick's Day. -Becky Gant, South Bend, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: This cake gets better the longer it sits, so I try to make it a day ahead. My mother-in-law introduced this deliciously rich sheet cake to me. With its creamy frosting and light almond flavor, no one can stop at just one piece! —Joanie Ward, Brownsburg, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: When it comes to easy cake recipes, you can’t beat a delicious (and top-rated) one-bowl recipe. This cake doesn’t require any special tools—just a good 13×9 pan and 15 minutes of prep time.

From the Recipe Creator: Having a good pound cake recipe to turn to is a must for any baker. We love this recipe because it’s simple and refreshing, thanks to all that lemon zest. What’s more, it tastes just like Starbucks’ lemon loaf.

From the Recipe Creator: Believe it or not, this iconic cake recipe is simple to pull together with a bit of patience. Avoiding these common pitfalls will ensure you get a gorgeous and delicious cake deserving of a special occasion.

From the Recipe Creator: Sometimes a great cake isn’t really a cake at all. This icebox cake uses chocolate wafers and whipped cream to get a cakey texture. This is a great easy recipe to have on hand for when it’s too hot to turn on the oven.

From the Recipe Creator: This pudding cake is truly a no-fuss dessert. Mix your ingredients in one bowl then top with tart cherries. To give it a professional touch, dust with powdered sugar.

From the Recipe Creator: A basic butter cake is a must-have recipe, even for newbie bakers. This recipe uses buttermilk—a baker’s secret weapon when it comes to adding rich flavor to basic recipes.

From the Recipe Creator: Looking for the ultimate beginner cake recipe? You’ve found it! This dump cake requires you to just dump all the ingredients into a slow cooker. Then you get to walk away for two hours as it turns into an easy tropical dessert. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, try these other slow cooker desserts.

From the Recipe Creator: Every baker—novice and pro—needs a staple chocolate cake recipe. This one is a reader-favorite but is simple enough for new bakers to tackle with ease.

From the Recipe Creator: An impressive-looking dessert that’s secretly simple? That’s music to any baker’s ears (especially for newer ones). The fresh fruit in this German-style cake really makes the dessert pop.

From the Recipe Creator: Gain a little confidence in the kitchen and you’ll want to start turning things upside down. There’s no reason to fear these topsy-turvy cakes. Just have a big enough pan to turn your cake out and be quick!

From the Recipe Creator: This yellow cake will become your go-to recipe for birthdays, but the tender cake with flavorful chocolate buttercream is truly perfect for any occasion. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Icebox cakes give you the texture and wow-factor of cake without the work. This stunning version piled high with fresh berries is just as gorgeous as any layered cake, but it doesn’t require any special skills. All you need to know is how to whip cream—and we’ve got you covered with this how-to.

From the Recipe Creator: This rich cake is another one-bowl wonder. You just need 15 minutes to stir up the batter. Plus, you can dress up the look of this cake with a variety of fluted cake pans.

From the Recipe Creator: This cake might look complicated, but it couldn’t be easier. Add all the ingredients to one bowl in a single step and mix. Spread that into a sheet pan and bake for a tropical-inspired dessert. This one is a great place to start for beginners (and a good recipe to have on hand for experienced bakers who are short on time).

From the Recipe Creator: When you’re just starting to bake, having an arsenal of versatile recipes is key. This easy cake can go from a 13×9 recipe to a cupcake variation in a snap—just swap the pans!

From the Recipe Creator: Another simple sheet cake recipe! This one stretches beginning baking skills with a creamy, peanut butter glaze (don’t worry—it’s easy to get the hang of).

From the Recipe Creator: Banana bread is a great place to start for beginner bakers—and so is this one-bowl banana cake.