4-Ingredient Cake Recipes That Are Simple and Delicious

Updated: Jan. 19, 2022

You don't need a lot to make a delicious dessert. These 4-ingredient cake recipes prove that you can have a tasty treat with just the basics.

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Doughnut Hole Cake

This is the most impressive 4-ingredient cake I’ve ever made! You can use chocolate, lemon or strawberry cake mix in the place of red velvet if you prefer. —Robert Pickart, Chicago, Illinois

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Pineapple Cherry Cake

When our granddaughter visits on weekends, I try to find something fun for her to do. This pineapple cherry dump cake recipe is super simple for her to fix. —Melissa Defauw, Auburn Hills, Michigan
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Toffee Poke Cake

This toffee poke cake recipe is a favorite among my family and friends. It’s one of those easy cake recipes with few ingredients, and I love making it because it is so simple.—Ms. Jeanette Hoffman, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
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Pull-Apart Caramel Coffee Cake

The first time I made this delightful 4-ingredient cake for a brunch party, it was a huge hit. Now I get requests every time family or friends do anything around the breakfast hour! I always keep the four simple ingredients on hand. —Jaime Keeling, Keizer, Oregon
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Pear Bundt Cake

Next time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there’s no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
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Tie-Dyed Cupcakes

Take a trip back to the sixties with these sweetly psychedelic cupcakes. Each is a simple white cake, but tinting the batter all the colors of the rainbow makes them funky and fun!— Gwyndolyn Wilkerson, Kyle, Texas
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Angel Food Cake Roll

There’s always room for dessert—especially when it’s this eye-catching angel food cake roll. We like strawberry yogurt in the filling, but different flavors work well, too. —Joan Colbert, Sigourney, Iowa
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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 4-ingredient cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska
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Chocolate Molten Cakes

Be prepared to swoon when you dip into this indulgent flourless cake and warm chocolate oozes from its center. This is Kristin Page’s favorite dessert on the menu at La Boucherie. Try it, and you’ll understand why.
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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
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Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler

This warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It’s yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
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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
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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