20 Easy Cake Recipes You’re Going To Love Me For

Nobody denies that cakes are fantastic desserts but they’re also notoriously labor-intensive and hard to assemble.

 

They don’t have to be though.

For example, the icebox cake recipe requires making (or buying) whipped cream and stacking cookies. To make the protein cake pops, you simply stir the ingredients together, form into one bite at a time, and dip them in chocolate.

And although it’s always going to be dessert (or a decadent breakfast), cake can be lightened up by cutting some fat or reducing the sugar.

Instead of butter or oil, use non-fat yogurt or mashed fruit like bananas, apples, or even avocado, and you can cut half the sugar with a stevia baking blend and not even taste the difference.

So regardless of your cooking skills or time restrictions, there are recipes for you in here. Enjoy!

Nutella Swirl Cake

Picture courtesy of Coffee and Vanilla

This marble cake isn’t hiding just chocolate. It’s swirled with hazelnutty Nutella.

Aside from that, it’s a simple cake with milk, sugar, butter, and eggs. And of course there’s flour – bread flour in this case – although all-purpose or white-whole wheat flour would work as well.

Serves 18

Ingredients

2 ½ cups bread flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

3 large eggs

1 cup milk

1 ½ cups golden caster sugar (or superfine cane sugar)

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted

2/3 cup Nutella

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 293

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 37 grams

Fat: 15 grams

Get the Recipe

Chocolate Protein Lava Cake

Picture courtesy of Protein Pow

With this recipe, you can have your cake and eat it too.

It’s even possible to make a romantic three-course dinner that plays nice with your diet plan. That will really make your significant other’s heart swoon – especially if you whip these up right after you both get home from the gym. Since they only have to spend a few minutes in the oven, it’s doable to have these post-workout.

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/2 cup chocolate whey protein powder

3 Tbsp. cocoa powder

2 Tbsp. coconut oil

¼ cup whole oats

1 large egg

¼ cup almond milk (or coconut milk)

2 Tbsp. coconut sugar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 357

Protein: 23 grams

Carbs: 19 grams

Fat: 21 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Lemon Cream Icebox Cake

Picture courtesy of Faith Durand

Assembling a cake doesn’t get any easier than this method, which involves time in the fridge instead of the oven. They’re often made from nothing more than chocolate cookies and whipped cream – like Oreo cake – but this one takes the classic American cake in a brighter direction: lemon.

From Bakeless Sweets by Faith Durand, Executive Editor of The Kitchn, an indispensable site for cooking and baking tips.

Serves 10

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter, very soft

3 cups heavy cream

½ cup powdered sugar

¼ tsp. salt

Zest and juice of 2 large lemons

25 graham crackers

1 cup lemon curd, divided

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 419

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 55 grams

Fat: 22 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Chocolate Protein Mug Cake

Picture courtesy of Table for Two

To make a homemade chocolate cake, you don’t have to give up on your macro targets. And you don’t even need a baking pan or an oven!

The ultimate bachelor dessert, this chocolate mug cake requires only six ingredients – plus a teaspoon of ground coffee if you want a richer flavor. The kind of oil you use is interchangeable, and if you don’t have applesauce, use an equal amount of mashed banana.

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 scoop whey protein powder (any flavor)

1 Tbsp. raw cacao

1 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 large egg, beaten

¼ cup organic applesauce

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 399

Protein: 35 grams

Carbs: 18 grams

Fat: 21 grams

Get the Recipe

 

No-Bake Chocolate Protein Cake Pops

Picture courtesy of Swell Fitness

If you want a little taste of cake, you don’t even have to turn on the oven. In fact, making these no-bake cake pops requires ingredients that you reach for post-workout: protein powder, coconut flour, and almond milk.

They’re also easy to transport, so you can pack them in your gym bag, desk drawer, or anywhere else you need a bit of chocolatey protein. Just be sure to keep them in a place where they won’t melt.

Serves 8

Ingredients

½ cup coconut flour

2 scoops whey protein powder

1 Tbsp. cacao powder

½ cup water (or coconut milk)

1 tsp. coconut oil

1 small square dark chocolate

1 tsp. cacao powder

2 Tbsp. shredded coconut

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 82

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 7 grams

Fat: 3 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Creamy Key Lime Cheesecake

Picture courtesy of Baker by Nature

The secret to making this cheesecake light and fluffy isn’t just cream cheese. There’s also a cup of Greek yogurt in the filling.

And if you want to make it with a low-sugar and low-fat crust, you aren’t merely dreaming. Use a food processor to make a cup of a half of graham cracker crumbs, and then mix in about three tablespoons of milk (or non-dairy milk). Then use it in the recipe just the same.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Crust:

2 cups graham crackers, pulsed into crumbs

1/3 cup granulated sugar

¼ tsp. salt

7 Tbsp. butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling:

24 oz. (3 packages) cream cheese, very soft

1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 large eggs

2 egg yolks

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

¾ cup key lime juice

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 476

Protein: 8 grams

Carbs: 44 grams

Fat: 31 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Plum Crumb Cake

Picture courtesy of Rosehips and Rhubarb

Make this plum cake at the height of summer. Once you have a bite, you’ll think of it whenever you see perfectly ripe, dark purple plums at the farmers’ market.

This cake is best to enjoy the day that it’s baked, but it’ll keep for a day or two (if you have the willpower). Serve warm or cold, and if you really want a treat for a warm evening, dish it up à la mode with vanilla ice cream.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Streusel:

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

4 tsp. unsalted butter, chilled and chopped

Cake:

6 Tbsp. butter, softened

1 cup self-rising flour

1 large egg

¼ cup milk

¼ cup sugar

6–8 large ripe plums, halved

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 234

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 30 grams

Fat: 12 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Skillet Carrot Cake

Picture courtesy of Uproot from Oregon

Don’t have a cake pan? You can use a cast iron skillet instead to make an amazing carrot cake.

The presentation looks rustic in the pan, but you can also flip them out and stack them just like any other layer cake. Add coconut whipped cream topping, and it’s a fairly nutritious and definitely delicious vegan cake.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Vegan Carrot Cake:

1 lb. carrots

½ cup coconut sugar

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

½ cup unsweetened almond milk

¼ cup coconut oil, melted

½ tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups whole-wheat flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground ginger

Pinch of salt

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

Maple Coconut Icing:

1 can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight

1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

Cinnamon for garnish

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 295

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 47 grams

Fat: 11 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Parmesan Chiffon Cake

Picture courtesy of Rasa Malaysia

In some cultures, cheese can be dessert. But this cake takes that concept to a whole new level.

This is a great way to surprise a cheese lover on their birthday. It’s also a delicious way to enjoy the unusual intersection of cravings for creamy, salty, and sweet. To tone down the weird factor, you can swap out the suggested topping for a fruit compote or caramel sauce.

Serves 10

Ingredients

Cake:

4 large eggs, separated into yolks and whites

1/3 cup + 4 tsp., divided

¼ cup corn oil (or extra-virgin olive oil)

1/3 cup milk

½ cup + 1 Tbsp. self-rising flour

3 oz. (¾ cup) grated Parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Topping:

2 oz. (1/2 cup) grated white cheddar cheese

1 cup buttercream frosting

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 306

Protein: 8 grams

Carbs: 33 grams

Fat: 15 grams

Get the Recipe

 

 

Strawberry Tiramisu

Picture courtesy of Jun Jun de Guzman

To make tiramisu, you don’t have to soak ladyfingers in espresso. This twist turns tiramisu into a forkful of strawberries and cream instead.

First, the strawberries are heated in a skillet with sugar. The resulting strawberry syrup is poured over the ladyfingers to help soften them, and then they’re topped with rich strawberry cream.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 pack (7 oz.) ladyfingers

1 lb. strawberries, sliced

¾ cup granulated sugar, divided

2 Tbsp. water

3 large eggs, separated

1 cup mascarpone cheese

2 cups heavy cream

2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 371

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 42 grams

Fat: 19 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Homemade Yellow Cake

Picture courtesy of Rock Recipes

No boxed cake mix required for this classic recipe. It doesn’t include the frosting, but you can use any flavor you like to make a double layer cake.

Chocolate buttercream is a go-to that works every time. If you prefer something that’s not quite as sweet, it’s worth the extra effort to make a meringue buttercream instead. And no matter what style of icing you choose, the flavor possibilities are endless: orange, peanut butter, Irish cream, or chocolate red wine.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups sifted cake flour

½ tsp. baking soda

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 ½ cups sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup unsalted butter

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

2 extra-large eggs

2 extra-large egg yolks

1 ½ cups buttermilk (or soured milk)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 373

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 48 grams

Fat: 18 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Easy Funnel Cake

Picture courtesy of A Southern Fairytale

Most homemade funnel cake recipes just call for Bisquick. Luckily it doesn’t take much time in the kitchen to skip the box mix and really make funnel cake from scratch.

It requires the same ingredients you’d use for a layer cake: flour, an egg, milk, vanilla, and a few different types of sugar. The trick is to put the batter in a squeeze bottle to make the thin ribbons in the frying oil. To ensure the funnel cake doesn’t absorb much fat as it fries, be sure to wait until the oil heats up enough.

Serves 12

Ingredients

2 cups milk

1 large egg

1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. brown sugar

1 heaping Tbsp. powdered sugar (plus more for topping)

Oil for frying

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 161

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 23 grams

Fat: 6 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

Picture courtesy of The Recipe Critic

Upside-down cake isn’t just reserved for pineapples. You can make a delicious, sticky cake with almost any fruit. And when you have an abundance of crisp apples, you’ll want to make more than pie.

This apple cake is also an awesome way to enjoy one of the best fall desserts – caramel apples – without having to wreck your teeth trying to bite into it.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Topping:

¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

2 medium apples, peeled and cut into wedges

Batter:

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

½ tsp. vanilla extract

¼ cup milk

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 415

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 60 grams

Fat: 19 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Mocha Tres Leches Cake

Picture courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Tres leches is usually a kind of yellow sponge cake, but there’s no reason not to infuse more flavors.

This version builds on the concept to make a delicious mocha cake, which is still soaked in the traditional three milks: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. So this is one rich chocolate cake that doesn’t need to be served with a tall glass of milk.

Serves 16

Ingredients

6 large eggs

¾ cup milk

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

3 Tbsp. instant espresso powder

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

1 ¼ cups heavy cream, divided

4 oz. (1/2 package) cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 447

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 57 grams

Fat: 21 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Spiced Honey Cake with Orange Glaze

Picture courtesy of Melissa D’Arabian

Some of the very first recorded recipes for cake were made with honey and spices. And while cakes have come a long way, that’s no reason not to return to a good thing from time to time.

When indulging in honey, be sure to pick up a jar of pure unpasteurized honey. That’s the best kind for your health, especially if you’re able to buy local.

Serves 10

Ingredients

1 cup white whole-wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

½ tsp. salt

1 large egg

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

½ cup pure honey

2 Tbsp. butter, melted (or vegetable oil)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. grated orange zest

3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice, divided

½ cup powdered sugar, sifted

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 149

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 30 grams

Fat: 3 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Blueberry & Chia Seed Cashew Cake

Picture courtesy of Super Healthy Kids

If you think raw vegan desserts are lacking in flavor, you haven’t tried this no-bake blueberry cake.

The crust is made with naturally sweet Medjool dates, and the luscious filling includes cashews, coconut cream, and blueberries. This recipe makes a 5” raw cake, but it can be doubled if you prefer to use a standard spring-form pan.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Crust:

8 pitted Medjool dates

½ cup ground flaxseed

2 Tbsp. chia seeds

Filling:

6 oz. cashews

2 Tbsp. coconut cream

3 Tbsp. coconut oil

3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

½ cup blueberries

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 415

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 54 grams

Fat: 21 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Hummingbird Cake

Picture courtesy of Cath Muscat

Pineapple cake doesn’t have to be upside-down. Instead, diced pineapple can stud a fresh fruit cake.

And this isn’t the kind served (or avoided) during the holidays. It’s a riff on the Southern hummingbird cake that uses no refined sugar. Still it’s plenty sweet thanks to bananas, dates, and shredded coconut. Then the icing is made of just honey and labneh (strained yogurt).

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 cup (6 oz.) pitted Medjool dates

2 cups self-rising flour

2 bananas, ripe and mashed

1 cup fresh diced pineapple

2/3 cup shredded coconut

1 cup coconut oil

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup pure honey

2 Tbsp. chia seeds + 1 Tbsp. water (or 2 eggs)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 389

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 46 grams

Fat: 23 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dump Cake

Picture courtesy of Your Cup of Cake

What’s a dump cake? Really easy, and that’s all you have to worry about.

Dump cake recipes are usually a way to make a box of yellow cake mix even better. But you can actually make your own cake mix at home to store in an airtight canister. Most recipes require little more than all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Serves 16

Ingredients

8 oz. cream cheese

¾ cup powdered sugar

2 tsp. milk

2 cans (14.5 oz. each) pumpkin puree

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

3 large eggs

1 ¼ cups sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie mix

1 box yellow cake mix

½ cup butter, melted (or coconut oil)

1 Tbsp. cinnamon-sugar mixture (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 383

Protein: 6 grams

Carbs: 54 grams

Fat: 17 grams

Get the Recipe

 

Orange Almond Cake

Picture courtesy of The Cake Mistress

This orange cake looks unassuming, but don’t be fooled by looks alone because it’s bursting with citrus flavor.

It doesn’t even need frosting, only a light dusting of powdered sugar. And since this easy cake requires only five ingredients, you’ll be able to satisfy your craving any time you see juicy, ripe oranges at the store.

Serves 10

Ingredients

2 navel oranges

1 cup superfine sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

6 large eggs

1 2/3 cups almond meal

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 227

Protein: 8 grams

Carbs: 28 grams

Fat: 11 grams

Get the Recipe 

 

Coconut Buttermilk Cake

Picture & recipe courtesy of Gonna Want Seconds

This is the richest pound cake you’ll ever sink your teeth into. And although it makes no promises about being low-fat or otherwise healthy, this coconut cake is easy to bake – especially with a stand mixer.

Without one, you’ll be beating the butter and sugar by hand for quite a while. But what are those well-developed arm muscles for? If you bake a cake from scratch without an electric mixer, you’ll get in a bit of a workout while you prepare dessert.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temp.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ tsp. coconut extract

3 large eggs

1 cup + 2 Tbsp. buttermilk, divided

1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 480

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 52 grams

Fat: 29 grams

Get the Recipe

 

What did you think of these easy cake recipes? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!