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Recipe Collections

16 Classic Cake Recipes For Every Occasion

Chocolate. Angel food. Vanilla. Coconut. No matter which cake you bake, it's sure to stand out from the rest.
16 Classic Cake Recipes For Every Occasion

Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that keep things simple. These classic cakes cover every event, from birthdays to everyday desserts and late-night cravings. From our take on a deep and delicious chocolate cake (watch how to make it below), to an airy angel food cake, an Insta-worthy vanilla layer cake and a crumbly coffee cake, these are the recipes we come back to again and again.

Strawberry-chocolate sheet cake

Strawberries and chocolate are a match made in heaven, so why not marry the flavours in this decadent, delicious cake? Get this strawberry chocolate cake recipe.

Chocolate cake with strawberry icing in front of a floral back drop Photo, Erik Putz.

Easy chocolate cake

This riff on McCain’s Deep n’ Delicious cake is one to keep in your back pocket at all times. Get this easy chocolate cake recipe.

Easiest-ever chocolate cake recipe Photo, Erik Putz.
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Classic Vanilla Layer Cake

One of the only cakes we make over and over again. It’s easy, fast and spectacular. It looks best in two 8-inch cake pans; for 9-inch pans, decrease the baking time to 30 min. Get this classic vanilla cake recipe.

A yellow vanilla layer cake frosted with vanilla buttercream icing and topped with white chocolate shavings on a lace doily on a wooden tray (Photography: Erik Putz; Food styling: Ashley Denton; Prop styling: Jennifer Evans)

Double-Chocolate Espresso Cake

Double the chocolate, double the fun! This espresso-flavoured cake—pink peonies optional—will delight all chocolate lovers. Get this double-chocolate espresso cake recipe.

Chocolate espresso layer cake on a white cake stand draped with a decorative green fern-shaped paper topped with roses (Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Angel food cake

Airy and light, vanilla-tinged angel food is a perfectly dreamy dessert. Get this angel food cake recipe.

angel food cake with berries and syrup on top Photo, Michael Graydon.
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Raspberry And Streusel Coffee Cake

This raspberry-and-streusel cake can go high or low: Serve it with afternoon tea and coffee or after a dinner party. Everyone will want a second slice. Get this Raspberry and Streusel Coffee Cake recipe.

A raspberry streusel coffee cake on a white plate with a piece cut out of it to one side on a smaller white plate (Photo: Erik Putz)

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

With layers of lusciousness, from the easy cookie crust to scrumptious chocolate curls, this cheesecake is nirvana for devoted chocoholics. Get this chocolate cheesecake recipe.

A triple chocolate cheesecake topped with chocolate shavings on a white cake plate (Photo: Michael Graydon)

Classic cheesecake

A classic you can dress up as much (or as little) as you like. You can enjoy it with with a blueberry sauce, but a drizzle of fruit coulis or chocolate ganache works too. Get this classic cheesecake recipe.

16 Classic Cake Recipes For Every Occasion Photo, Erik Putz.
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Upside-down rhubarb cake

A slice of pie is a classic ending to a summery meal, but why hide fresh fruit under piles of pastry? With this upside-down cake, the tangy rhubarb shines. Get this rhubarb upside-down cake recipe.

16 Classic Cake Recipes For Every Occasion

Upside-down cake

Topped with fresh peaches, this cake’s crisp outer crumb and moist centre makes every bite one to savour. Get this upside-down cake recipe.

Peach upside-down cake with two slices cut out Photo, Erik Putz.

Carrot Cake With Fluffy White-Chocolate Icing

Topped with decadent cream-cheese icing, this cake works for any occasion. Get this carrot cake recipe.

A slice of four-layer carrot cake with cream cheese white chocolate icing on a white plate on a wood table (Photo: iStock)
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Coconut cake

Coated with crisp coconut flakes, each forkful is light, airy and unbelievably delicious—everything you want in a cake. Get this coconut cake recipe.

Coconut dessert recipes: Coconut Shag Cake on white cakestand Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Berry pudding cake

Raspberries add a dose of antioxidants and give this dessert its sweet-tart taste. Drizzle with whisky-butter sauce and top with whipped cream. Get this berry pudding cake recipe.

16 Classic Cake Recipes For Every Occasion

Lemon pudding cake

If citrus is more your speed, then be swept away with this zesty and comforting cake. Get this lemon pudding cake recipe.

Lemon Pudding Cake Photo, Erik Putz.
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Gluten-Free Chocolate-Fudge Cake

No one should miss out on a slice of this gluten-free dessert topped with chocolate ganache. Get this gluten-free chocolate fudge cake recipe.

Gluten free chocolate fudge cake from bundt mold with sliced piece Photo, Michael Alberstat

No-bake cake

Short on time—or baking know-how? This mocha biscuit cake, rumoured to be a favourite of Prince William’s, is the perfect, eye-pleasing treat. Plus, you don’t even have to turn on the oven. Get this no-bake cake recipe.

A mocha biscuit cake with one slice cut out of it (Photo: Erik Putz)

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