4-Ingredient Cake Recipes That Are Simple AND Delicious

Toffee Poke Cake

This toffee poke cake recipe is a favorite among my family and friends. I love making it because it is so simple.—Ms. Jeanette Hoffman, Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Apple-Spice Angel Food Cake

I dressed up an angel food cake mix with some nuts, spice and applesauce to make an easy and light dessert. I serve it with a dollop of whipped topping mixed with a half cup of sour cream. —Joan Buehnerkemper, Teutopolis, Illinois

Rhubarb Custard Cake

Rhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don’t bother! Of all the desserts I’ve tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska

Fancy Fuss-Free Torte

Thanks to frozen pound cake and a can of pie filling, this torte’s easy to make. If layers slide, keep them in place with toothpicks around the edges as you build. Just remove before serving. —Joan Causey, Greenwood, Arkansas

Icebox Cake

You don’t have to bake to serve a wonderful dessert! This “cake” is made from chocolate wafers and whipping cream. It is so delicious.—Cindy Hawkins, New York, New York

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

Inside each of these cupcakes is a fruity surprise! I start with a convenient cake mix to produce these special treats. —Bertille Cooper, California, Maryland

Root Beer Float Cake

I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon

Red, White ‘n’ Blue Torte

Guests will see fireworks when you turn a frozen pound cake into a patriotic pleaser. Assemble this tempting torte early in the day and keep it in the refrigerator until it’s time for dessert. —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington

Surprise Spice Cake

Canned tomato soup replaces some of the oil in this spice cake, decreasing the fat, boosting the color and (surprise!) enhancing the taste. —Hannah Thompson, Scotts Valley, California

Little Holiday Cakes

My college friend shared this cupcake recipe that has pie crust on the bottom, raspberry jam in the middle and cake on top—scrumptious for a buffet or potluck. —Dana Beckstrom, Salt Lake City, Utah

Yellow Cake

Put the supermarket cake mix back on the shelf (and the money it costs back in your wallet) because baking a cake from scratch just got easier! Top off squares with frosting or a fruity sauce. —Ruby Love, Deer Island, Oregon

Pressure-Cooker Chocolate-Apricot Dump Cake

Years ago, I used to prepare a dessert similar to this in the oven. Oh, it was so good. I converted it to my Instant Pot and now we can enjoy it quickly. Try it also with white cake mix and blueberry pie filling. Best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Layered Peppermint Icebox Cake

Our home economists take four ingredients and turn them into an impressive, no-bake cake. Do-ahead desserts don’t get any better! —Taste Of Home Test Kitchen