I’ve attached a video for every recipe below from my favorite home cooks.

Birthday cakes are a special treat that bring joy to celebrations. You can make a delicious birthday cake at home with simple recipes and basic ingredients. Whether you prefer chocolate, vanilla, or fruity flavors, there’s a cake for every taste.
Baking a birthday cake is a fun way to show someone you care. You don’t need to be a pro baker to create a tasty cake. With a few tips and tricks, you can make a cake that looks and tastes great. From classic layer cakes to easy sheet cakes, there are many options to choose from.
Chocolate Cake
You’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes.
Stir in hot water. The batter will be thin.
Pour into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and enjoy your delicious birthday cake!
Vanilla Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Add milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
Frost with your favorite vanilla buttercream and enjoy your homemade birthday cake!
Red Velvet Cake
You’ll need:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
Combine the wet and dry mixtures. Stir until smooth.
Pour the batter into the cake pans.
Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool before frosting with cream cheese icing.
Funfetti Cake
You’ll need:
- 2 3/4 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture.
Fold in the sprinkles.
Pour the batter into the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Cool the cakes before frosting and decorating.
Carrot Cake
You’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl, beat the eggs and oil. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Stir in the carrots and pecans.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans.
Bake for 35-40 minutes. Check with a toothpick – it should come out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
Once cool, frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting and enjoy!
Lemon Cake
You’ll need:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 cup milk
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
Stir in lemon juice and zest.
Add flour mixture and milk alternately, mixing until smooth.
Pour batter into pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Cool cakes completely.
For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Mix until smooth.
Frost your cooled cake and enjoy!
Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup whipped cream
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch cake pan.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
Gradually add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, alternating between the two.
Pour batter into the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
Let the cake cool completely. Cut it in half horizontally.
Place bottom layer on a plate. Top with half the strawberries and whipped cream.
Add the top layer. Cover with remaining strawberries and whipped cream.
Serve and enjoy your homemade strawberry shortcake!
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes.
Stir in hot coffee until well blended. The batter will be thin.
Pour into prepared pans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and enjoy your fudgy birthday cake!
Coconut Cake
You’ll need:
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- 2 cups shredded coconut
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl, whisk coconut milk, oil, eggs, and coconut extract.
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.
Pour batter into pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely.
For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add sugar and extract.
Spread frosting between layers and over the cake. Press shredded coconut onto sides.
Enjoy your delicious coconut cake!
Marble Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round pan.
Mix flour, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, baking powder, vanilla, and salt in a bowl. Beat for 2 minutes until smooth.
Pour 2/3 of the batter into the pan.
Mix cocoa powder and water. Add to the remaining batter.
Spoon chocolate batter over yellow batter. Swirl with a knife for marbling effect.
Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool before serving.
Enjoy your homemade marble cake!
Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter. Press into a 9-inch springform pan.
Bake crust at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Let cool.
Beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
Stir in vanilla, sour cream, and heavy cream.
Pour filling over crust. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour.
Turn off oven and let cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Top with sprinkles for a festive birthday touch!
Ice Cream Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 box cake mix (your favorite flavor)
- 1/2 gallon ice cream, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Sprinkles or other toppings
Instructions:
Bake cake according to package directions in two 8-inch round pans. Let cool completely.
Place one cake layer in a springform pan. Top with softened ice cream and spread evenly.
Add second cake layer on top. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Remove cake from freezer and springform pan. Frost with whipped cream.
Decorate with sprinkles or toppings. Freeze until ready to serve.
Banana Cake
You’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in mashed bananas and vanilla.
Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan, then frost if desired.
Peanut Butter Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix flour, sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl.
Add milk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
In a saucepan, heat oil, butter, peanut butter, and water. Bring to a boil.
Pour the hot mixture into the flour mixture. Stir well.
Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool before frosting or serving.
Hummingbird Cake
You’ll need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
Add eggs and oil. Stir until just combined.
Mix in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and pecans.
Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool before frosting with cream cheese icing.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 can pineapple slices
- Maraschino cherries
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup pineapple juice
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pour melted butter into a 9-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the butter.
Arrange pineapple slices in the pan. Place cherries in the center of each slice and in gaps.
In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and pineapple juice until smooth.
Pour batter over the pineapple arrangement.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool for 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
Serve warm and enjoy your tasty pineapple upside-down cake!
Black Forest Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1/4 cup kirsch (optional)
- Chocolate shavings for decoration
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Stir in hot water.
Pour batter into pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove.
Whip cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
If using kirsch, mix it with cherry pie filling.
Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with whipped cream and cherry mixture.
Top with second cake layer. Frost top and sides with remaining whipped cream.
Decorate with chocolate shavings and cherries. Chill before serving.
Biscoff Cake
You’ll need:
- 1 white cake mix
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup melted butter
- 4 eggs
- 120g Biscoff cookies, crushed
- Biscoff spread for filling
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
Mix the cake mix, milk, melted butter, and eggs in a bowl for 2 minutes.
Spread the batter in the pan evenly.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely.
Spread a layer of Biscoff spread on top of the cooled cake.
Sprinkle crushed Biscoff cookies over the spread.
Enjoy your yummy Biscoff cake!
Cookies and Cream Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 egg whites
- 20 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
- 1 container vanilla frosting
- Additional cookies for decoration
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch pan.
Mix cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites in a large bowl. Beat for 2 minutes.
Fold in crushed cookies. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely.
Spread frosting over the cake. Top with extra cookie pieces.
Slice and enjoy your homemade cookies and cream cake!
Lemon Drizzle Cake
Ingredients:
- 225g butter, softened
- 225g caster sugar
- 4 eggs
- 225g self-raising flour
- 2 lemons, zested
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the drizzle:
- 85g caster sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a loaf tin.
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
Fold in flour and lemon zest. Add lemon juice and mix.
Pour batter into tin. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
Mix drizzle ingredients. Poke holes in warm cake and pour over drizzle.
Let cool in tin before serving. Enjoy your zesty lemon drizzle cake!
Tiramisu Cake
You’ll need:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 16 oz mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup coffee liqueur
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- Cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions:
Mix cake batter and bake in two 8-inch pans at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
Cool cakes completely.
Whip mascarpone, sugar, and cream until fluffy.
Mix coffee liqueur and brewed coffee.
Slice each cake in half horizontally.
Brush each layer with coffee mixture.
Spread mascarpone filling between layers.
Dust top with cocoa powder.
Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Almond Joy Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup sliced almonds
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix the cake mix, buttermilk, eggs, and oil in a large bowl. Beat for 2 minutes.
Pour the batter into the pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes.
Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans.
Melt the condensed milk and butter in a saucepan. Stir in coconut.
Spread the coconut mixture over one cake layer.
Melt the chocolate chips. Spread over the coconut layer.
Place the second cake on top.
Pour remaining melted chocolate over the cake.
Sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
Let the cake cool completely before serving.
S’mores Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Mix the cake mix, graham cracker crumbs, oil, eggs, and water in a large bowl until smooth.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Sprinkle marshmallows and chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from oven and drizzle melted butter over the top.
Turn on your broiler and place the cake under it for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning!
Let cool before serving. Enjoy your delicious s’mores cake!
Pistachio Layer Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely ground pistachios
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 cup milk
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
Mix flour, ground pistachios, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and almond extracts.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Pour batter into pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
Frost with your favorite frosting and enjoy your pistachio layer cake!
Berry Chantilly Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Pour batter into pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
Whip cream until soft peaks form. Add mascarpone and powdered sugar, whip until stiff.
Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with frosting and top with berries.
Add second layer and frost the entire cake. Decorate with remaining berries.
Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy your Berry Chantilly Cake!