Classic Cake Recipes Made from Scratch

Classic Chocolate Cake

If you need to learn how to make chocolate cake from scratch, this easy homemade chocolate cake recipe is a perfect place to start. It appeared on a can of Hershey’s cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it, and I’ve been making it ever since. —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California

Go to Recipe

If you’re not a pro and preparing a cake at home, here’s how to make box cake taste homemade! 

Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

For a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas

Coffee Cake Recipe

Our coffee cake recipe turns coffee-o-clock into a true treat!

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe

Satisfy your coffee shop treat cravings with this copycat Starbucks lemon loaf cake recipe.

Chocolate Chiffon Cake

This chocolate chiffon cake may take some practice to perfect but once you do, it may be difficult to remember what your life was like without it.

Yellow Cake with Buttercream Frosting

This is a classic scratch cake. The homemade buttery frosting and crisp, sugared edges really make it stand out. —Aria Thornton, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Rum Cake

This sweet and spirited rum cake recipe is irresistible. No crumb will be left behind.

Classic Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches means “three milks.” This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake’s light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. But if you’re in a hurry, try this quick cloud cake recipe.

Carrot Cake

My family's best carrot cake recipe dates back to my great-grandmother! We bake up a few of these carrot cakes for special occasions to make sure there's enough to go around. You'll love the texture this pretty, moist treat gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland

Red Velvet Cake

Our red velvet cake recipe is traditionally southern with light, tender, ruby-red cakes held together with a rich vanilla frosting.

Kentucky Butter Cake

Look no further than Kentucky butter cake for a fluffy, buttery cake with an excellent crumb and a vanilla-almond butter sauce that permeates every bite.

Spice Cake

This spice cake recipe has stood the test of time and it's one you'll probably hand down yourself.

Sour Cream Pound Cake

A classic sour cream pound cake should be your go-to choice for brunch, snacking, special occasions and more.

Marble Cake

In this striking marble cake, each layer is a swirl of chocolate and sour cream pound cake. The key is mixing one batter, adding melted chocolate to part of it, then "marbling" the two together to create the stunning effect.

Black Forest Chocolate Torte

If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska

Hummingbird Cake

This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Gingerbread Cake

Indulge in the ultimate warming treat with a homemade gingerbread cake. Rich, spiced flavors are paired with a velvety caramel sauce for a truly decadent dessert.

Lemon Chiffon Cake

Lemon chiffon cake is soft and spongy, with a fresh lemon flavor in the cake and the luscious buttercream frosting. Plan to eat this cake quickly, as chiffon cakes don't last very long. But that shouldn't be a problem, given how delicious this cake is.

Grandma's Carrot Cake

My grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas any time we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan

Moist Chocolate Cake

You can get a moist, flavorful cake without any exotic ingredients using this chocolate cake with vanilla frosting recipe. The smooth vanilla buttercream filling makes each slice a decadent delight.

Upside-Down Fruitcake

I get tired of people bad-mouthing holiday fruitcakes. It's one of my favorite holiday flavors and I look forward to it every year. This year, I decided to combine it with everyone's favorite, upside-down cake. Try to say no to this fruitcake; I dare you! —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Butter Pecan Cake

My husband has a sweet tooth and I enjoy making great desserts like this cake for him! We have two farms - both of which are wonderful - but I also love being in the kitchen. I collect cookbooks and have written one myself.

Funfetti Cake

Want to know how to make a Funfetti cake recipe from scratch? Our Test Kitchen provides you with a helpful guide sprinkled with tips for making this colorful cake.

Vanilla Bean Angel Food Cake

Angel food cake is everyone’s favorite blank slate for making awesome desserts. Serve it with a simple glaze or pile on fresh fruit, chocolate sauce or nutty sprinkles. —Leah Rekau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin