If you’re a fan of programs like The Great British Bake Off and The Great American Baking Show, you know that there are specific names to identify different cakes. We’ve gathered over 30 different types of cake and recipes for you to try.
Cakes can be categorized by cooking methods, ingredients, cultures, or purposes. Regardless of what you are looking for, we are sure you’ll find something you like in the comprehensive list below.
Do we ever need a reason to enjoy a home-baked cake? From classic birthday cakes, to rich black forest cake, to pound cakes, and carrot cake, we all have our favorites.
Types of Birthday Cakes
Chocolate Layer Cake
Always a crowd-pleaser for chocolate lovers, this classic cake is rich, dark, and pairs well with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
Red Velvet Cake
Striking to look at and delicious to eat, red velvet cake has chocolate flavors and a rich cream cheese icing.
Black Forest Gateau
Filled with sweet cherries, chocolate, and real whipped cream, this is an ideal cake for milestone birthdays.
The cherry liqueur in this recipe adds a rich cherry flavor that’s absolutely delicious.
Pound Cake
An easy way to identify pound cake is by its ingredients: a pound of butter, a pound of sugar, a pound of eggs, and a pound of flour.
Often baked in a loaf or Bundt pan, there are many coffee cakes, sour cream cakes, and fruit crumb cakes that were developed from the classic pound cake recipe.
Chiffon Cake
Light and airy, chiffon cake gets its texture from whipped egg whites and baking powder. It’s considered to be a cross between a sponge and an oil cake.
Carrot Cake
Who says you can’t have vegetables in cake? Carrot cakes are moist and rich, and can be filled with raisins or chopped nuts.
Similar to red velvet cake, this delicious cake is topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
Birthday Funfetti Cake
Perfect for kids and adults alike, this classic frosted vanilla layer cake has rainbow sprinkles baked into the batter!
Topped with sweet buttercream, it’s full of rich flavors.
Birthday Cupcakes
If you prefer more icing than cake, try these pretty vanilla cupcakes that bake up beautifully in just 30 minutes.
You can even bake them the day before, and then frost them the day of the party! They’re also great for potlucks.
Princess Birthday Cake
If your child is a fan of princesses, they’ll love this cake. Beautifully decorated, it’s a theme-based cake that’s perfect for little ones.
Vanilla Birthday Cake with Old Fashioned Vanilla Buttercream
Filled with sweet vanilla flavors, this classic layer cake is moist and delicious. Top it with some sliced berries for a splash of color!
Milk Bar Birthday Cake
This cake features sweet cake crumbs, a batter full of rainbow-colored sprinkles, and a sweet cream cheese frosting.
The sides of the cake aren’t frosted, exposing the colorful flecks of sprinkles. This cake will take some time but the instructions are very thorough and easy to follow.
Types of Cakes with Fruits
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Big on flavor and easy to pull together, this classic upside-down cake uses canned pineapple rings and Duncan Hines cake mix with great results!
It’s also ready to serve in an hour.
Mango Charlotte Cake
This gorgeous cake doesn’t require baking! It’s a delicious mash-up of French-style charlotte cake and creamy cheesecake.
It’s sure to get a lot of oohs and aahs from your guests.
Hummingbird Cake
If you love fresh fruit in your cake, you’ve got to give this one a try.
Loaded with banana, pineapple, pecans, and spices, and topped with cream cheese and coconut frosting, you’ll think you’re in the tropics!
Types of Cake with Different Textures (Made with Different Key Ingredients)
Strawberry White Chocolate Cheesecake
Yes, cheesecakes are also a category of cake! This one is topped with sweet strawberries and is filled with a smooth blend of cream cheese and white chocolate.
Opera Cake
Featuring the flavors of coffee and chocolate, this classic French cake is filled with delicious layers of sweet chocolate ganache, moist almond sponge cake, and rich buttercream.
Angel Food Cake
Light and delicate, angel food cake gets its height from whipped egg whites. Baked in a special angel food cake pan, it’s typically cooled upside down in the pan to help prevent it from falling.
Because it’s so light, a classic frosting would weigh it down. We suggest a dollop of fresh whipped cream and colorful mixed berries.
Butter Cake
Made with butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and baking powder, this is a great cake for new bakers.
Enjoy it with a hot cup of tea or coffee!
Sponge Cake Genoise
Light and airy and with just 4 ingredients, this is a great cake to serve with a sweet glaze and tart-sweet berries.
Biscuit Cake
If you enjoy a bit of crunch in your cake, give this one a try. In addition to dark chocolate, this sponge cake is filled with tea biscuits, which is where it gets its crunch. Enjoy it with a hot cup of tea for an afternoon treat.
Baked Flourless Cake
Rich and decadent, flourless cakes are filled with intense flavor. This chocolate cake is topped with a chocolate ganache glaze that takes it to the next level! Serve it with raspberries for a pleasant take on sweet and tart.
Types of No-Bake / Frozen Cakes
Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake
After making this no-bake cheesecake, you’ll add it to your list of no-fail desserts. It has all of the creamy goodness of classic cheesecake and easily sets in the fridge!
Top it with the fruit of your choice for a decadent treat.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
This cake isn’t just for kids! Filled with store-bought ice-cream sandwiches, frozen whipped topping, and instant vanilla pudding, it couldn’t be easier to assemble.
Get creative and use different flavored ice-cream sandwiches for even more fun!
Strawberry Icebox Cake
This is the perfect cake for warm weather birthdays! Instant pudding mix makes it moist, and graham crackers add a delicate crunch.
Even better, it’s a no-bake cake that sets in the fridge.
Types of Cake with Different Flavors
Strawberry Jello Cake
Popular with kids and adults alike, this jello cake will be the star at your next get-together.
Make it with a boxed cake mix or with a homemade cake, and switch up the flavor of Jello too! It’s a versatile cake that everyone will love.
Zebra Cake
Striking to look at and delicious to eat, this special cake is sure to impress everyone at your next party!
Real cocoa is used in both the cake and the frosting, guaranteeing delicious chocolate in every bite.
Coconut Cake
If you love coconut, you’ve got to give this cake a try! Infused with coconut flavors, the batter uses canned coconut milk, and the cream cheese frosting has real shredded coconut.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Here’s a dessert that’s the best of two worlds, chewy chocolate chip cookies and tender cake.
It’s basically a giant cookie! Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let the celebration begin!
Rainbow Cake
You’ll wow the partygoers with this vibrant cake! A stunning 6 layers, each with its own color, your children and guests will truly be amazed.
Devil’s Food Cake
A true treat for chocolate lovers, this cake features layers of light and moist chocolate cake with rich chocolate icing. Serve it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
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Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs about 16 whole graham crackers
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Cheesecake:
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 3 packages cream cheese room temperature (8-oz each package)
- 1/4 cup sour cream room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional pie filling for topping
Instructions
Make the Graham Cracker Crust
- Pulverize the graham crackers using a food processor or blender until fine.
- Mix together graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter. It should have the consistency of wet sand.
- Pour into a 9-inch springfrom pan. Press with a water glass and up the sides with your fingers. Make sure it’s packed in very tightly, otherwise, it can fall apart when cutting the cheesecake.
- Freeze for about 10 minutes while you prepare the filling.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed using a hand mixer until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
- In another bowl, add softened cream cheese and sugar. Beat on medium speed until completely combined and smooth.
- Add sour cream and vanilla extract, and use a spatula to fold into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. (Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese.)
- Add the whipped cream into the cheesecake filling. Gently mix until combined.
Assemble the Cheesecake
- Take the graham cracker crust from the freezer and pour the cheesecake filling on top of the crust. Smooth the top with an offset spatula.
- Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for 6 hours or up to 2 days. (I recommend letting it chill overnight for the best result.)
- Gently remove the rim. Serve with optional toppings.
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