Birthday Cake Recipes

We’re bringing you the best birthday cake recipes, baking tips and decorating advice you could wish for. With easy guides to classic cakes like chocolate and vanilla to zany cupcake ideas the kids will adore, you’ll make this trip around the sun the greatest one yet.

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    Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

    Indulge in this layer cake topped with rich buttercream—a vanilla lover's dream. I use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. —Michelle Dorsey, Wilmington, Delaware

    Vanilla Frosting

    Don't know how to make icing for cake but don't want to settle for store-bought frosting? This four-ingredient easy vanilla...


    Frosted Chocolate Cake

    This recipe is my mother's oldest and most popular chocolate cake recipe. I always thought it should have a fancier...


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    Brownie Torte

    My mother-in-law first shared this recipe, and now it's often requested for birthdays and other special occasions. I like to...


    Chocolate-Cherry Brownie Cake

    My grandmother taught me the tricks to making this cake, and I've added my own special touches. The melted chocolate...

    Ganache-Topped Chocolate Cake

    To say this cake is elegant would be an understatement. It’s worthy of special occasions, but once you learn


    Almond Chocolate Cake

    When our son and daughter were teenagers, our house was the hang-out for their whole group of friends. This rich...

    Chocolate Angel Cake

    When I was married in 1944, I could barely boil water. My dear mother-in-law taught me her specialty—making the lightest...


    White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

    With creamy frosting, fluffy vanilla-almond cake layers and a vibrant raspberry filling, this white chocolate raspberry cake is the ultimate...


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    Chocolate Fudge Cake

    Chocolate fudge cake is the cure for any chocolate lover's sweet tooth and a staple in baking 101. Here's how...


    Copycat Olive Garden Black Tie Mousse Cake

    Olive Garden's indulgent Black Tie Chocolate Mousse Cake should be your next copycat baking project.

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    Surprise Cake

    When a regular cake doesn't cut it, make a surprise cake. The first slice always earns oohs and aahs!


    Copycat Cheesecake Factory Celebration Cheesecake

    Some extra-special days call for extra-special desserts. Our copycat Cheesecake Factory celebration cheesecake recipe offers seven full layers of delightful...


    Air-Fryer Mocha Cupcakes

    These luscious air-fryer cupcakes smell wonderful while they cook. If you have the drawer-type air fryer, you'll need to use...


    Sugar Cookie Cake

    This sugar cookie cake is a great birthday surprise for someone who loves sugar cookies. No cookies are used in...

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    Yellow Cake Recipe

    A yellow cake recipe is a staple for any home baker. This recipe comes complete with chocolate buttercream frosting to...


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    Cookie Cake

    Learn how to make a cookie cake that is just as pretty (and even tastier) as ones from Mrs. Fields....


    BB-8 Cake

    This BB-8 cake is easy to assemble and decorate. A cake mix gives you a jump-start so you can spend...


    Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes

    This deliciously different dessert is made in the slow cooker instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches...


    Homemade Confetti Cake

    This is a moist and fluffy vanilla cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible...


    Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake

    I developed this cool treat because I wanted to find a new use for cream of coconut. The sweet coconut...


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    Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

    Satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent vegan chocolate cupcakes.

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    Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes

    We love using this simple vegan vanilla cupcake recipe as a base to layer on extra flavor. Stir in grated...


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    Oreo Cupcakes

    A tasty tribute to Oreo cookies, these Oreo cupcakes are made from scratch. But if you want to start with...


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    Vanilla Cake

    Our Test Kitchen created our best vanilla cake recipe yet. It's tender, moist and packed with rich vanilla flavor—a must...


    Apple Cake for Passover

    Adding a dollop of whipped cream is a sweet addition to this Passover apple cake! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen,...


    Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

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    Want a cupcake that tastes like spring in every bite? These strawberry lemon cupcakes are zesty and sweet and have a...


    Mint Swirl Fudge Cake

    Mint pairs with a silky, mild chocolate flavor for this colorful, beautiful cake that will be the talk of the...