20 Iconic Cakes Every Home Baker Should Try Making
Baking a cake from scratch feels like magic. A handful of simple ingredients—flour, sugar, eggs—come together to create something fluffy, sweet, and completely irresistible. Over the years, I’ve tackled everything from classic birthday cakes to rich, buttery pound cakes, and let’s just say… some turned out better than others.
If you love baking (or just love cake), these 20 iconic recipes are must-tries. Some are light and airy, others are rich and indulgent, but all of them deserve a spot in your kitchen. Preheat that oven—it’s time to bake something amazing!
1. Classic Chocolate Cake
The Classic Chocolate Cake is the epitome of indulgence, enveloping the senses with its moist, rich texture and deep cocoa flavor. This cake, beloved by many, is a staple at celebrations worldwide. Its history is as rich as its taste, with origins tracing back to the 18th century. Home bakers revel in its simplicity yet satisfying nature.
Baking this cake from scratch allows you to control the intensity of the chocolate, be it dark or milk, catering to your personal preference. The glossy ganache topping not only adds to its visual appeal but also enhances the overall richness.
2. Vanilla Sponge Cake
A timeless classic, Vanilla Sponge Cake is cherished for its simplicity and elegance. Its light, airy texture, combined with the subtle aroma of vanilla, makes it an ideal base for countless variations. This cake has graced tables across the globe, from intimate family gatherings to grand celebrations.
Today, it’s a staple in many households, admired for its versatility and ease of preparation. But it’s roots date back to Renaissance Europe, where it was a luxury item due to the scarcity of sugar.
3. Red Velvet Cake
Red Velvet Cake is a showstopper, known for its striking red hue and luscious cream cheese frosting. Its unique flavor profile, a delicate blend of cocoa and vanilla, leaves a lasting impression on all who taste it.
The cake’s roots can be traced to the southern United States, where it became popular in the early 20th century. Its vibrant color is traditionally achieved through the reaction of cocoa with acidic ingredients, although modern recipes often use food coloring for consistency.
4. Lemon Drizzle Cake
This cake is a zesty delight, known for its vibrant citrus flavor and moist texture. This cake’s refreshing taste makes it a popular choice for afternoon tea or a light dessert.
Originating in the UK, Lemon Drizzle Cake has become a beloved classic, celebrated for its simplicity and the burst of freshness it brings with each bite. The secret to its moistness lies in the lemon syrup, which is poured over the cake while it’s still warm.
5. Carrot Cake
Carrot Cake is a charming classic, celebrated for its moist texture and harmonious blend of spices. The use of carrots adds natural sweetness and moisture, making it a unique addition to the world of cakes.
Baking a Carrot Cake from scratch allows you to appreciate the balance of sweet and savory. It’s origins lie in medieval Europe, where sugar was scarce, and carrots were used as a sweetener. Today, it’s a favorite across the globe, often topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
6. Cheesecake
Another classic on our list is the world-famous cheesecake. Loved for its creamy texture and rich flavor, this dessert has a long history, with roots in ancient Greece. There, it was served to athletes at the first Olympic Games. Today, it comes in numerous variations, with the New York-style being one of the most iconic.
The New York Cheesecake, known for its dense, velvety texture, is made with cream cheese, eggs, and a touch of lemon. The buttery crust contrasts beautifully with the smooth filling, creating a harmony of flavors.
7. Black Forest Cake
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, also known in English as Black Forest Cake, is a German classic. It is famos for its luxurious layers of chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and cherries. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between rich chocolate, tart cherries, and fluffy cream.
This cake hails from the Black Forest region of Germany, where it’s traditionally made with Kirschwasser, a cherry brandy, for added depth of flavor. The cake’s striking appearance and complex flavors make it a favorite at celebrations worldwide.
8. Fruitcake
Fruitcake is a festive classic, known for its dense texture and rich flavor, brimming with dried fruits and nuts. This cake has a long-standing tradition, often associated with holiday celebrations and family gatherings.
The origins of fruitcake date back to ancient Rome, where it was made with pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and raisins. Over the centuries, it evolved into the holiday staple we recognize today, often soaked in spirits for added depth.
9. Pound Cake
Pound Cake is a buttery classic, named for its traditional recipe of one pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. This cake is known for its dense texture and rich flavor, a testament to its simple yet satisfying ingredients.
Baking a Pound Cake from scratch is a delightful experience, allowing bakers to appreciate the beauty of basic ingredients. It’s a wonderful choice for those looking to master a classic cake, offering a nostalgic slice of homemade goodness.
10. Angel Food Cake
It is a heavenly delight, no wonder it’s named Angel Food Cake. It is known for its light, airy texture and subtle sweetness. Made with egg whites, sugar, and flour, this cake is a testament to the magic of simple ingredients.
Angel Food Cake quickly became popular for its unique texture and low-fat content. It’s often served with fresh fruits and whipped cream, enhancing its delicate flavor. But be warned, baking an Angel Food Cake from scratch requires patience and precision.
11. Coffee Cake
Coffee Cake is a comforting classic, cherished for its tender crumb and cinnamon-spiced streusel topping. Despite its name, it doesn’t always contain coffee but is traditionally enjoyed with a cup of the brew.
This cake evolved from sweet breads that were enjoyed with coffee. It’s a versatile cake that can be adapted with various fillings such as nuts, chocolate, or fruit. It’s a cake that brings warmth to any table, offering a blend of sweetness and spice that complements a relaxing coffee break.
12. Bundt Cake
Bundt Cake is an elegant classic, known for its distinctive ring shape and versatility in flavors. This cake takes its name from the Bundt pan, which creates its characteristic fluted design.
The Bundt Cake became popular in the United States in the mid-20th century, thanks to the Nordic Ware company, which trademarked the pan’s design. It can be made in countless flavors, from lemon to chocolate, allowing bakers to get creative.
13. Tiramisu
The Italian masterpiece is known for its layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone. This dessert is a perfect blend of bold coffee flavor and subtle sweetness, making it a favorite worldwide.
Tiramisu has become synonymous with elegance and indulgence. Its name means “pick me up” in Italian, a nod to its energizing ingredients. Making Tiramisu from scratch is a rewarding experience, allowing bakers to create a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
14. Opera Cake
Opera Cake is a French classic, renowned for its intricate layers of almond sponge, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache. Each bite offers a symphony of flavors, from the richness of chocolate to the boldness of coffee.
This cake was created in Paris in the early 20th century and quickly gained fame for its elegance and complexity. It’s a cake that requires precision and patience, making it a rewarding challenge for skilled bakers.
15. Battenberg Cake
A British classic, Battenberg Cake is famous for its distinctive checkerboard pattern of pink and yellow sponge wrapped in marzipan. This cake is as much a delight for the eyes as it is for the taste buds.
It was created in the late 19th century to celebrate the marriage of Princess Victoria to Prince Louis of Battenberg. It’s a cake that requires precision in assembly, making it a rewarding project for adventurous bakers. Baking a Battenberg Cake from scratch allows you to play with colors and flavors.
16. Victoria Sponge Cake
Victoria Sponge Cake is known for its simple yet elegant layers of sponge, jam, and whipped cream. It has a light texture and sweet filling, making it a beloved treat for afternoon tea.
Named after Queen Victoria, who enjoyed a slice with her afternoon tea, this cake has become a symbol of British baking tradition. It’s a cake that embodies the charm of simplicity with its balance of flavors and textures.
17. Genoise Cake
This European classic has a light, airy texture and is versatile as a base for various desserts. Instead of using chemical leaveners, air is stirred into the mixture to give the cake its rise.
Named after the city of Genoa, it’s not an easy dessert to make, as it requires skill and technique. But it is a rewarding challenge for experienced bakers. It can be adapted with different fillings and flavors, offering endless possibilities for creativity and indulgence.
18. Tres Leches Cake
Tres Leches Cake is a Latin American favorite, known for its moist texture and sweet, milky flavor. This cake is soaked in three types of milk: evaporated, condensed, and whole, creating a rich and satisfying dessert.
The origins of Tres Leches Cake are debated, but it’s believed to have originated in Central America. It’s an indulgence that’s celebrated for its simplicity and depth of flavor, often topped with whipped cream and fruit.
19. Chiffon Cake
This one is modern classic, known for its light, airy texture and delicate flavor. Chiffon Cake combines the richness of butter cakes with the lightness of sponge cakes, creating a versatile and delightful dessert.
A rather new invention, Chiffon Cake quickly gained popularity for its unique texture and ease of preparation. Baking it from scratch is an opportunity to experiment with flavors and techniques, creating a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
20. Dobos Torte
Dobos Torte is a Hungarian delight, known for its multiple layers of thin sponge cake and rich chocolate buttercream. Topped with a layer of caramel, this cake offers a symphony of textures and flavors.
Named after its creator, József C. Dobos, this cake was invented in the late 19th century and quickly gained fame across Europe for its innovative design and rich taste. It’s a cake that requires patience and precision, making it a rewarding challenge for advanced bakers.