These 23 cakes and cupcakes look like they belong in a bakery, but you can make them at home without trouble. Each recipe is simple enough to follow and brings great flavor to the table. Make them for a special occasion or just a treat because these desserts will make any meal feel complete and leave everyone asking for more.
Blueberry Streusel Coffeecake. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Ultra Moist Chocolate Cake
Sink your teeth into a chocolate cake that stays rich and moist from the very first bite to the last crumb. The bold cocoa flavor pairs perfectly with a soft, tender texture that never falls apart, making every slice feel special. Keep this easy-to-make cake recipe handy for when dessert needs to impress without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Ultra Moist Chocolate Cake
Kit Kat Cake
Turn a simple chocolate cake into a showstopper by wrapping it in crispy Kit Kats and filling it with soft layers inside. This cake looks like it came from a bakery, but it comes together with very little effort. Bring this fun and creative cake recipe to the table when dessert should make a statement without causing stress.
Get the Recipe: Kit Kat Cake
Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake
Bake a soft and sweet cake packed with melty chocolate chips that surprise with every bite and stay moist thanks to applesauce. It holds its shape well and slices cleanly, making it great for sharing with family and friends. Reach for this easy cake recipe when you want a dessert that disappears quickly and leaves everyone asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake
Red, White, and Blue Bundt Cake
Slice into a colorful Bundt cake with soft, tender layers swirled together in a way that catches the eye without extra decoration. The crumb stays light and holds its shape perfectly, giving you a dessert that’s both pretty and easy to serve. Use this simple cake recipe when you want to add a splash of fun to the table without extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Bundt Cake
Mini Chocolate Cupcakes
Grab a handful of these mini chocolate cupcakes that pack rich cocoa flavor into small, perfect bites that are easy to share. They stay moist and tender without drying out, making them a fast favorite at any gathering. Bake this cupcake recipe when dessert needs to be simple, quick, and loved by everyone.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chocolate Cupcakes
Yogurt Nutella Cupcakes
Try cupcakes that surprise with a sweet Nutella center and a slight tang of yogurt, balancing the flavors in every bite. The soft, light texture feels like something fresh from a bakery, without the fuss of complicated baking. Keep this easy cupcake recipe nearby when dessert needs a little unexpected delight.
Get the Recipe: Yogurt Nutella Cupcakes
Green Tea Cupcakes
Make soft, light cupcakes with a subtle green tea flavor that stands out without overwhelming the palate. A smooth matcha frosting ties the whole dessert together with a creamy finish. Choose this cupcake recipe when you want a dessert that feels different and delicious but stays simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Green Tea Cupcakes
Blueberry Streusel Coffeecake
Add texture to dessert with a soft, blueberry-filled cake topped with golden, crumbly streusel that adds the perfect crunch. The center stays moist and packed with juicy berries while the streusel crisps up just right. Bake this easy cake recipe when you want a treat that looks great in the pan and tastes even better on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Streusel Coffeecake
Carrot Cake
Whip up a carrot cake bursting with warm spices and sweet raisins, all tied together by a thick, creamy frosting. The cake slices cleanly and holds its shape well, giving it a homemade feel that everyone will recognize. Keep this reliable cake recipe in mind for days when dessert needs to work perfectly without any guesswork.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake
Blueberry Pudding Cake
Let the oven work magic with this pudding cake that bakes a soft cake layer on top and creates a warm, gooey blueberry center underneath. It feels rich but never too heavy, as if it took hours to make when it actually did not. Use this easy cake recipe when you want something special that stays simple and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pudding Cake
Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Skip the oven and build a no-bake cake that stacks soft cake layers with creamy frozen ice cream for a cool dessert everyone will love. It holds its shape perfectly in the freezer and slices cleanly without crumbling. Use this make-ahead cake recipe when dessert must be ready well before guests arrive and still impress.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Kool-Aid Cupcakes
Add a pop of color and fruity flavor to dessert with these soft cupcakes made using powdered drink mix to brighten the batter without any extra work. They bake up smooth, sweet, and eye-catching like they took more time than they really did. Pick this easy cupcake recipe when dessert needs a fast, fun, and fresh twist that stands out.
Get the Recipe: Kool-Aid Cupcakes
Molten Chocolate Cakes
Serve a fancy-feeling dessert that comes together fast with these single-serve chocolate cakes featuring soft edges and gooey, warm centers. They melt in your mouth without the hassle of complicated steps or ingredients. Stick with this easy dessert recipe when dessert needs to feel special without taking hours to make.
Get the Recipe: Molten Chocolate Cakes
Chocolate Cinnamon Cupcakes
Try chocolate cupcakes with a warm hint of cinnamon that adds a cozy twist without overpowering the rich chocolate flavor. The smooth ganache on top gives a glossy finish that brings everything together. Use this easy cupcake recipe when the dessert feels classic but with a fresh and fun note, and everyone will enjoy it.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cinnamon Cupcakes
Classic Yellow Cake
Choose a simple yellow cake that is soft, buttery, and packed with the classic flavor everyone knows and loves. Each bite melts in your mouth, giving you the taste of a bakery favorite made at home. Keep this no-fuss cake recipe close when dessert needs to turn out perfect every single time.
Get the Recipe: Classic Yellow Cake
Individual Pineapple Upside-down Cakes
Serve up mini cakes topped with sticky pineapple rings and a soft, buttery base that stays neat and easy to handle. Each cake holds its shape well and tastes sweet without needing any extra frosting or toppings. Use this simple cake recipe when you want a small but impressive dessert that’s easy to pass around.
Get the Recipe: Individual Pineapple Upside-down Cakes
Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
Mix rich chocolate cupcakes with sweet strawberry frosting for a dessert that pops in flavor and color. The cupcakes stay soft, hold their shape, and look like they came from a bakery case. Choose this delicious cupcake recipe when the dessert should be bold, pretty, and easy to make without any extra stress.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
S’mores Cake
Bring chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers together in a gooey cake that’s both fun and easy to make. The layers stay neat, and the flavors balance perfectly without making a mess. Try this easy cake recipe when dessert needs to be more than just cake, and leave everyone impressed.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Cake
Cherry Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
Bake light, cherry-flavored cupcakes topped with smooth vanilla frosting that holds up well and tastes fresh, even after sitting out. These cupcakes add a pop of color and a classic touch to any dessert table. Use this easy cupcake recipe when you want something that looks homemade but stands out with a bright flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
Individual Blueberry Coffeecakes
Make small, single-serve cakes packed with juicy blueberries and topped with just enough sweet crumble for crunch. Each cake stays soft in the middle and neat enough to pass around easily. Go with this easy cake recipe when dessert needs to be tasty, tidy, and ready to share with a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Individual Blueberry Coffeecakes
Coconut Cupcakes With Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Bake fluffy coconut cupcakes topped with rich coconut buttercream that brings every bite together perfectly. Starting with a box mix, these cupcakes bake up moist and sweet like something made from scratch. Use this quick cupcake recipe when dessert needs to feel like a special treat without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cupcakes With Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Make a moist chocolate cake that sneaks in shredded zucchini for extra softness and finishes with a bright lemon zest frosting. The rich chocolate flavor stays strong while the texture stays light and tender. Choose this easy cake recipe when dessert should be delicious and a little different, without complicating things.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Mini Hummingbird Cakes
Bake small cakes filled with banana, pineapple, and smooth frosting for a sweet and fruity treat that is soft in every bite. The flavors are just right, not too rich and not too plain, making them perfect for sharing. Pick these mini cakes when dessert needs to look great and taste even better without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Mini Hummingbird Cakes