17 Classic Cakes That Never Go Out of Style

These cakes have been around forever for good reason – they just work. They’re the ones people request for birthdays, celebrations, or when you need something that’ll make everyone happy. These 17 recipes are tried and true favorites that won’t let you down. Most of these freeze well too, so you can make them ahead for parties or just have a slice ready when cake cravings hit.

1. Chocolate Layer Cake

This is the gold standard of chocolate cakes – moist layers with rich chocolate frosting between and all over. The secret to really good chocolate cake is using coffee to boost the chocolate flavor, even if you can’t taste the coffee itself. Some recipes use buttermilk which makes it extra tender. Getting the layers even takes practice but nobody cares if it’s a little wonky when it tastes this good. Perfect for birthdays or any time you need serious chocolate comfort. Get the recipe here.

2. Vanilla Birthday Cake

This is the classic birthday cake that makes everyone happy. It’s not fancy but when done right, it’s better than any boxed mix. The key is using good vanilla extract and not overbaking it. The frosting is usually vanilla buttercream but you can do chocolate if that’s what the birthday person wants. This is the cake that makes kids’ faces light up and brings back memories for adults. Always a safe choice when you don’t know what flavor people prefer. Get the recipe here.

3. Red Velvet Cake

The red color comes from food coloring but the flavor is subtle chocolate with a hint of tang from buttermilk. The cream cheese frosting is what really makes this cake special – it’s tangy and not too sweet. Some old recipes used beets for the red color but nowadays it’s just food coloring. The texture should be velvety smooth, not dense. This cake always looks impressive at parties and has that retro charm that never gets old. Get the recipe here.

4. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Don’t let the vegetables fool you – this is definitely dessert! The carrots keep it moist and add natural sweetness. Most recipes include walnuts, raisins, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The cream cheese frosting is essential – it’s what makes carrot cake special instead of just spice cake with carrots. Some people add pineapple or coconut but the basic version is always good. This cake actually gets better after sitting overnight when the flavors meld together. Get the recipe here.

5. Lemon Pound Cake

This dense, buttery cake is perfect with coffee or tea. The lemon flavor comes from both zest and juice which gives it brightness. Traditional pound cake was called that because it used a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, but modern recipes are lighter. Some versions have a lemon glaze on top which soaks in and makes it extra lemony. This keeps well for days and actually tastes better the day after baking. Great for bringing to potlucks or keeping around for unexpected guests. Get the recipe here.

6. German Chocolate Cake

Despite the name, this isn’t from Germany – it’s named after a guy named German who invented a type of chocolate. The cake is mild chocolate but the coconut-pecan frosting is what makes it special. The frosting is more like a thick custard with toasted coconut and chopped pecans. Some recipes put the frosting just between layers and on top, not on the sides. This is one of those cakes that tastes way more complex than it actually is to make. Get the recipe here.

7. Angel Food Cake

This is the lightest, fluffiest cake ever because it’s made with just egg whites, sugar, and cake flour. No butter or oil at all! The trick is whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks and folding everything together gently so you don’t deflate them. You bake it in a special tube pan and cool it upside down so it doesn’t collapse. It’s perfect with fresh berries and whipped cream for a light dessert that doesn’t feel heavy after a big meal. Get the recipe here.

8. Devil’s Food Cake

This is like chocolate cake’s more intense cousin. It uses more cocoa and sometimes melted chocolate too for deeper flavor. The name comes from it being the opposite of angel food cake – dark instead of light. Some recipes use hot water or coffee in the batter which makes it extra moist. The texture is rich and dense but still tender. This is for serious chocolate lovers who think regular chocolate cake isn’t chocolatey enough. Always impressive at potlucks. Get the recipe here.

9. Funfetti Cake

This is basically vanilla cake with rainbow sprinkles mixed in. It might seem like kid stuff but adults love it too because it’s so cheerful and nostalgic. The key is using the right kind of sprinkles – the ones that don’t bleed their color into the batter. Some recipes add almond extract along with vanilla which makes the flavor more interesting. This is pure fun in cake form and always makes people smile. Perfect for any celebration where you want something happy and colorful. Get the recipe here.

10. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

You put pineapple rings and maraschino cherries in the bottom of the pan with brown sugar and butter, then pour cake batter on top. When you flip it out after baking, the fruit becomes a beautiful topping. The brown sugar caramelizes during baking which adds amazing flavor. Some recipes use fresh pineapple but canned works fine and is way easier. This looks fancy but is actually pretty simple to make. Great for retro-themed parties or when you want something different. Get the recipe here.

11. Strawberry Shortcake

This is more of an assembly than actual baking – sweet biscuits or sponge cake layered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The strawberries should be macerated with a little sugar to bring out their juices. Some people use pound cake but traditional shortcake biscuits are better because they soak up the berry juices. This is the taste of summer and perfect when strawberries are at their peak. Simple but so good when done with good ingredients. Get the recipe here.

12. Black Forest Cake

This German classic has chocolate cake layers with cherry filling and whipped cream frosting. Traditional versions use sour cherries and kirsch (cherry liqueur) but you can make it with regular cherries and skip the booze. The combination of chocolate, cherries, and cream is amazing. Some recipes shave chocolate over the whole cake for decoration. This looks impressive but isn’t actually hard to make if you break it down into steps. Perfect for special occasions when you want something elegant. Get the recipe here.

13. Hummingbird Cake

This Southern classic has bananas, pineapple, and pecans in a spiced cake with cream cheese frosting. It’s like carrot cake but with fruit instead of vegetables. The name supposedly comes from it being so sweet it attracts hummingbirds. The fruit keeps it super moist and the spices make it interesting. This is comfort food that tastes like it came from somebody’s grandmother even if you’ve never made it before. Always a hit at church suppers and potlucks. Get the recipe here.

14. Coconut Cake

This usually means white cake with coconut in the batter and coconut flakes all over the outside. The frosting is often cream cheese or buttercream that gets covered in shredded coconut. Some recipes use coconut milk or oil for extra coconut flavor. Getting the coconut to stick all over the cake looks tricky but is actually pretty easy. This is impressive looking and tastes tropical and special. Perfect for Easter or spring celebrations. Get the recipe here.

15. Marble Cake

This combines vanilla and chocolate batter that gets swirled together for a marbled effect. The pattern is different every time which makes each slice unique. Some recipes use yellow cake as the base instead of vanilla. The key is not overmixing the batters once you combine them or you lose the marble effect. This is a good compromise when you can’t decide between chocolate and vanilla. Kids especially love seeing the different patterns in each slice. Get the recipe here.

16. Tres Leches Cake

This Mexican cake gets soaked in three kinds of milk – regular milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. The sponge cake absorbs all that liquid but somehow doesn’t fall apart. It’s topped with whipped cream and sometimes cinnamon. The cake actually gets better if you make it a day ahead so it has time to soak up all the milk. This is incredibly moist and rich but not heavy. Perfect for celebrations or when you want something different from typical American cakes. Get the recipe here.

17. Classic Cheesecake

Rich, creamy, and dense, this is the dessert that makes people close their eyes and sigh. The graham cracker crust provides nice texture contrast to the smooth filling. The trick is baking it in a water bath so it doesn’t crack and cooling it slowly. Some people are intimidated by cheesecake but it’s really just mixing and patience. You can top it with fruit, chocolate, or just eat it plain. This is my personal favorite because it’s so rich that a small slice is totally satisfying. Get the recipe here.