16 Best Birthday Cakes to Celebrate Their Special Day
Serve up a big slice — and don't forget the candles!
Although you don’t technically need an occasion to eat cake, birthdays are a great reason to bake one up for someone special (including yourself!). We’d even venture to say that it’s not truly a birthday without cake! Whether you’re looking for a rich chocolate dessert, a bright, lemon-centric sweet or a multi-layered showstopper that will have the camera eating first, these birthday cake recipes are the sweetest way to celebrate another trip around the sun.
If your M.O. is grabbing a boxed mix whenever birthday week rolls around (hey, no shame!), have no fear: Making a cake from scratch doesn’t have to be a complicated, all-day affair. From a creamy, dreamy make-ahead icebox cake where the fridge works its magic overnight to an approachable, minimal-assembly-required sheet cake (as if you need another reason to love sheet pans), we’ve got some great baking recipes for beginners. And for more advanced cake pros, we see you, too: Grab your trusty cake decorating tools and whip up an impossibly airy coconut cake or a towering meringue cake layered with fluffy mousse, your choice! No matter your baking level or the guest of honor’s flavor preferences, you’ll find a birthday cake recipe that fits the bill — don’t be surprised if you’re fielding compliments even before the candles are blown out.
Whether you’re celebrating a 21st birthday, the big 6-0 (here are some epic 60th birthday gifts for the occasion) or anything in between (and beyond), these delicious, crowd-pleasing birthday cake recipes are sure to make the once-a-year occasion something to savor. Let the festivities begin!
Best-Ever Chocolate Cake
The secret ingredient in this decadent, shareable cake — mayo! — provides rich flavor and a tender crumb sans additional eggs or oil.
Get the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake recipe.
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Earl Grey Bundt Cake
Steeping tea bags in milk lends a lovely, delicately floral flavor to this elegant sweet. A simple dusting of confectioners' sugar is all it needs to shine as the centerpiece.
Get the Earl Grey Bundt Cake recipe.
Vanilla Blossom Cake
Edible flowers instantly elevate this classic vanilla cake to serious celebration status. Gently press on the blooms just before serving for the prettiest results.
Get the Vanilla Blossom Cake recipe.
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Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake
Who says cake has to be baked? Layers of cinnamon graham crackers, chocolate pudding and vanilla pudding meld into a dreamy, sliceable treat that screams “celebration.”
Get the Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake recipe.
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Opt for a dark, good-quality bar for the deepest chocolate flavor in each fudgy, decadent slice. If your guest of honor is a chocolate fiend (or gluten-free), it doesn’t get better than this.
Get the Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe.
RELATED: 25 Easy Gluten-Free Desserts So Everyone Can Enjoy a Sweet Treat
Vegan Apple Cake
Packed with warm baking spices, this layered beauty is vegan and gluten-free, so everyone can have their cake (and eat it too!). The fluffy, cider syrup-infused buttercream frosting takes each slice to super-cozy heights.
Get the Vegan Apple Cake recipe.
RELATED: 26 Best Vegan Desserts That Taste Like the Real Deal
Fig Cornmeal Skillet Cake
Prevent the figs from sinking by adding them to the cake during the baking process — just be sure to shut the oven door when topping to avoid drastic drops in temperature.
Get the Fig Cornmeal Skillet Cake recipe.
RELATED: 79 Best Fall Desserts That Are Perfect to Make for Autumn
Carrot Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Crunchy pecans, apricots and fresh ginger offer up major flavor in each bite, and going sheet pan-style is a playful (and time-saving) twist that makes this tender cake even more shareable.
Get the Carrot Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
Chocolate Gingerbread Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream
Celebrating a winter birthday? Look no further than this swoon-worthy stunner that combines cozy spices with classic chocolate in one rich, party-ready mash-up.
Get the Chocolate Gingerbread Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream recipe.
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Lemon Pound Cake
A sweet-tart lemon glaze adds extra brightness to this sunny treat. Perfect for the citrus lover in your life!
Get the Lemon Pound Cake recipe.
RELATED: 40 Best Spring Desserts That Celebrate a Season Full of Flowers
Pumpkin Spice Cake
Give the fluffy, cloud-like meringue frosting a beautiful toasty finish with just a couple swipes of a kitchen torch.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Cake recipe.
Perfect Birthday Cake
Nothing says it’s your birthday quite like this iconic, sprinkle-speckled confetti cake. Adding sour cream to the frosting keeps the sweetness level balanced, making it way too easy to go in for a second slice.
Get the Perfect Birthday Cake recipe from Delish.
Chocolate Meringue Layer Cake
Let this showstopper sit for 30 minutes before serving so the chocolate-y layers of meringue and mousse have time to soften and meld. Psst: In the meantime, snap those glamor shots for the ‘gram!
Get the Chocolate Meringue Layer Cake recipe from Woman's Day.
Coconut Angel Cake
Coconut milk in the batter and toasted coconut pressed on the outside of the cake give this festive treat a double dose of tropical flair. A birthday dream come true!
Get the Coconut Angel Cake recipe from Country Living.
Butterfly Layer Cake
It’s easier than you think to pull off this cheery, colorful cake: All it takes is a few strategic cuts to create the butterfly shape, and the freshest fruit you can find to decorate the top. Almost too pretty to eat!
Get the Butterfly Layer Cake recipe from Woman's Day.
Olive Oil-Clementine Cake
Homey and comforting yet elegant enough to impress the guest of honor, this citrusy sweet boasts some tasty surprises: A crunchy, sugared-almond topping and jewel-toned candied clementines.
Get the Olive Oil-Clementine Cake recipe from Woman's Day.
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