17 Cake Recipes That Work for Any Celebration

Cakes come in all kinds of forms, layered, upside down, packed into a bundt pan, or rolled into bite-sized bites, and this collection covers them all. These recipes highlight bold flavors like chocolate, strawberry, apple, and peach, and bring in creative twists with creamy fillings, spiced toppings, and boozy extras. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, celebration, or just because, these cakes bring plenty of variety and crowd appeal.

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls

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These no-bake treats use the classic snack cakes as a base, rolled into cake balls and coated in white chocolate. They’re sweet, nostalgic, and festive. Great for parties or gift boxes. Quick to prep with just a few ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls

Lemon Bundt Cake

Bright, citrusy flavor shines in this soft bundt cake with a tender crumb. A light glaze adds sweetness and shine. It’s fresh without being too sweet. A good choice for brunch or tea time.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Bundt Cake

Amazing Chocolate Strawberry Layer Cake

This cake stacks rich chocolate layers with strawberry filling and frosting. The mix of deep cocoa and bright berry is always a hit. Slice it clean for a show-stopping dessert. Works well for birthdays or special events.
Get the Recipe: Amazing Chocolate Strawberry Layer Cake

Instant Pot Guinness Bundt Cake

Guinness adds depth and moisture to this dark chocolate bundt cake. The texture is dense but soft, with just a hint of bitterness. A dusting of powdered sugar or simple glaze finishes it off. A grown-up dessert with rich flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Guinness Bundt Cake

Pecan Apple Cake

Chunks of apple and crunchy pecans make this cake moist, nutty, and full of texture. The warm spices round it out. Serve with caramel sauce or on its own. It works well any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Apple Cake

Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Cake

Layers of cinnamon-sugar dough bake up golden and gooey in this pull-apart cake. It’s sticky, soft, and easy to serve by hand. Top with glaze for the full cinnamon roll effect. Great for breakfast or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Cake

Bailey’s Cake

Bailey’s Irish Cream adds a creamy, boozy twist to this soft and tender cake. The liqueur shows up in both the batter and frosting. Rich but not overpowering. A fun option for grown-up gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Bailey’s Cake

Bailey’s Poke Cake

A moist chocolate or vanilla cake gets poked and filled with Bailey’s-spiked pudding or sauce. Topped with whipped cream or frosting, it’s indulgent and simple to assemble. Serve chilled for the best texture. A crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Bailey’s Poke Cake

Instant Pot Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cheesecake

Pineapple upside-down cake with cherries on top, displayed on a white plate. — Instant Pot Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cheesecake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This dessert combines cheesecake with a layer of caramelized pineapple and cherries baked underneath. The Instant Pot keeps it moist and smooth. Flip it to reveal the golden topping. A tropical, creamy twist on two classics.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cheesecake

Oreo Pound Cake

Crushed Oreos are mixed into a rich pound cake batter for cookies-and-cream flavor in every bite. It bakes up dense with crispy edges. Drizzle with icing or chocolate. A fun take on a childhood favorite.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Pound Cake

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar on a white plate, with a slice cut out. Peaches nearby. — Peach Cobbler Pound Cake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This cake layers sweet peaches with a buttery, tender crumb for a dessert that’s part cobbler, part cake. It’s rich and full of summer flavor. Serve with whipped cream or on its own. Keeps well for a couple of days.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Pecan Upside Down Cake

A slice of cake topped with chopped pecans on a white plate with a fork, in front of a larger dish of the same cake. — Pecan Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Caramelized pecans form a sticky topping that pairs with the soft vanilla or spice cake beneath. Flip it after baking to show off the glossy nut layer. It’s sweet, crunchy, and simple to slice. Ideal for holidays or gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Upside Down Cake

Strawberry Charlotte Cake

A slice of strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream and a strawberry slice, surrounded by ladyfingers. Fresh strawberries and a fork are on the plate. — Strawberry Charlotte Cake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Ladyfingers line the outside of this no-bake cake filled with strawberry mousse or whipped filling. It looks fancy but comes together easily. Chill it well before slicing. A classic European-style dessert.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Charlotte Cake

Strawberry Pound Cake

A loaf of strawberry bread on a white plate, with a bowl of fresh strawberries in the background. — Strawberry Pound Cake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This cake is dense and moist with bursts of real strawberry throughout. The flavor is rich and fruity without being overly sweet. A glaze or frosting adds a pretty finish. Great for spring and summer.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pound Cake

The Best Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake

A slice of apple cake on a plate, dusted with powdered sugar. Two whole green apples are in the background, with more cake in the background on a serving plate. — The Best Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Cinnamon and apple team up in this soft cake that’s easy to throw together. It’s warm, lightly sweet, and full of fruit. Works for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. No frosting required.
Get the Recipe: The Best Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake

Tornado Cake

A slice of caramel pecan cake on a white plate, topped with chopped pecans and shredded coconut. A fork is in the background. — Tornado Cake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This old-school sheet cake includes crushed pineapple in the batter and a rich coconut topping poured on after baking. It’s moist, sweet, and full of texture. No layers or frosting needed. Great for feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Tornado Cake

Peach Upside Down Cake

Caramelized peach slices top this soft cake once it’s flipped out of the pan. The fruit keeps the cake moist and adds sweet, summery flavor. Serve warm or room temp. A classic that always works.
Get the Recipe: Peach Upside Down Cake