These 25 Single Layer Cake recipes are easy, no-fuss cakes that show how simple can still be elaborate and delicious!
I used to be a fancy layered cake girl when I first started baking. The fancier, the better. I used to make them elaborate, sometimes with fondant, and then I'd sell them! I've learned that fancy isn't always better, though. These days I have fallen in love with the simplicity of single layer snacking cakes, and my blog is filled with different types of one layer cakes that you can enjoy with your family, or to make for yourself.
What is a Single Layer Cake?
A single layer cake or a one layer cake is a no-fuss, easy cake made into a single layer. They can either be frosted or unfrosted, and are perfect for all types of occasions, ranging from birthday parties, potlucks, or just a fun weekend bake. My favorite part about a single layer cake is that you don't need any fancy tools to frost and it will still look like a show stopper!
Can I Freeze Single Layer Cakes?
Single Layer Snacking Cakes can be easily frozen. Wrap them tightly in saran wrap, then place in a freezer bag and freeze for 1-2 months, or however long the recipe calls for.
What Pan is Best for Single Layer Cakes?
I have several recommendations for different types of one layer cakes.
Round Cake - 8 inch round USA pan
Square Cake - 8 inch Square USA pan
Sheet Cake - 9x13 USA pan
Bundt Cake - Nordic Ware Bundt Pan
Springform Pan - 9 inch Nordic Ware Springform Pan
Helpful Equipment
Kitchen scale - It's so important to use a kitchen scale for accurate results. Adding too much or too little or something could completely change the recipe from being amazing to being too dry or too wet, etc.
Parchment paper - I love using pre-cut parchment paper. You can either get the large sheets or pre-cut round sheets.
Baking spray - You don't have to use baking spray for every single type of cake, but it's very important to make sure your bundt pans are greased very ver well. My favorite is Baker's Joy. I've been using it for years and it has never failed me.
Mixer - You can use a stand mixer, or a handheld mixer for any batters or frostings that need creaming.
Whisks & Spatulas - Sometimes it's helpful to have a whisk or spatula when mixing ingredients.
Mixing bowls - I love using glass Mixing Bowls when making batters and doughs. They're also microwave-safe for when you need to warm an ingredient.
Sifters - It's helpful to have a sifter for sifting your dry ingredients or for finishing touches, like adding powdered sugar or cocoa powder to the finished product. It's also helpful for straining lumps out when making custards or curds.
Offset spatula - You don't necessarily need an offset spatula for one layer cakes, but sometimes it's helpful to have to spread the frosting smoothly or to spread your batter into an even layer, if needed. If you don't have one, it's ok; you could always use a spoon or butter knife.
Tips to Make the Best Single Layer Cakes
Read the recipe: Before starting on anything, read the entire recipe and any notes and tips the author left. This can help with troubleshooting and making sure you have all your ingredients, measurements, and anything you may have missed.
Measure Flour Correctly: As always, with any recipe, use a kitchen scale, as it is the best form of measuring your ingredients. If you don't have a kitchen scale, fluff your flour, scoop flour with a spoon into a measuring cup and level off.
Grease & Line Pans: When called for, grease & line your pan. It's important to grease bundt cake pans because they tend to stick.
Don't over mix: Stop mixing when ingredients are incorporated, unless the recipe says otherwise.
Don't over bake: Start checking the cake at the least amount of time allotted. So, if a recipe says to bake between 25-30 minutes, start checking at 25 minutes, sometimes even a minute or two before.
Make ahead: You can make the cake layer ahead of time and store it overnight in an airtight container on the kitchen counter. You can even store in the fridge for a few days. If making it more than a few days ahead, I suggest wrapping it tightly and freezing the cake layer. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use. Different recipes will call for different instructions, so always read the freezing and make ahead tips.
Single Layer Snacking Cakes
Biscoff Chocolate Cake
This Biscoff Chocolate Cake is rich and moist and topped with a delicious Biscoff cream cheese frosting, then drizzled with Biscoff spread and pieces of Biscoff cookies.
Check out this recipe
Blueberry Chocolate Cake
This Blueberry Chocolate Cake is rich and moist and topped with a delicious blueberry cream cheese frosting that is so light and pairs perfectly with the decadent chocolate cake.
Check out this recipe
Lemon Blueberry Mascarpone Cake
This Lemon Blueberry Mascarpone Cake is fluffy, filled with lemon flavor and bursting with blueberries, and topped with a light mascarpone whipped cream.
Check out this recipe
Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake
This Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake is moist, flavorful, and filled with chunks of apples! It's topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bundt Cake
This Chocolate Chip Banana Bundt Cake is moist, flavorful, and filled with mini chocolate chips throughout for more richness. It's topped with a luscious butterscotch glaze, which brings the whole cake together perfectly.
Check out this recipe
Lemon Bundt Cake
This delicious cake is filled with lemon juice and lemon zest and bursting with flavor!
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Cherry Almond Cake
This Cherry Almond Cake is made with ricotta, which creates a moist and tender cake, and topped with sliced almonds. Perfect for cherry season.
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Cardamom Pistachio Cake
This Cardamom Pistachio Cake is made with ground pistachios, giving it a nutty, rich flavor with a hint of cardamom. It's super light and moist, with the perfect mix of sweet and spicy goodness.
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Orange Olive Oil Cake
This moist and fragrant orange olive oil cake combines the richness of olive oil with the bright, zesty flavor of fresh oranges, creating a perfect balance of citrus and earthy depth. Made with almond flour and all-purpose flour, it has a tender crumb and a subtly nutty, citrus-infused finish.
Check out this recipe
Strawberry Banana Cake
An easy Strawberry Banana Cake filled with mashed bananas, strawberry chunks and topped with a delicious strawberry cream cheese frosting!
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Chai Cake
A simple, one layer Chai Cake that is tender, moist, and filled with chai spices, and then topped with a spiced Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting. It's luscious, delicious, and a little addictive!
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Gooey Lemon Butter Cake
This Gooey Lemon Butter Cake has crispy edges with a gooey lemon cream cheese filling that is bursting with lemon juice and lemon zest and topped with powdered sugar.
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Spiced Banana Cake
An easy Spiced Banana Cake filled with warm spices and moist bananas, then topped with a cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce.
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Raspberry Almond Cake
This Raspberry Almond Cake is incredibly fluffy, moist, and the perfect summer cake. It has a base almond cake, a homemade raspberry jam, and almond slices, then topped with powdered sugar.
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More Unique Single Layer Cakes to Try
Pear and Chocolate Cake
This pear and chocolate cake is loaded with sweet, fresh pears. A delicious and impressive chocolate pear dessert that's simple to make, too
Check out this recipe
Pecan Upside Down Cake
This Pecan Upside Down Cake is a moist and buttery vanilla cake topped with a gooey caramel pecan layer. It's all the flavors of a classic pecan pie, but in a super delicious upside down cake!
Check out this recipe
Yogurt Plum Cake
This Italian Yogurt Plum Cake is quick and simple to make in one bowl. Baked with juicy in-season plums, this will become your go-to family favourite cake. Perfect for brunch, picnics or afternoon tea.
Check out this recipe
Berry Bundt Cake
Packed with fresh blueberries and raspberries, this moist vanilla Bundt cake also has pieces of raspberry-filled chocolate for a delicious cake that hits all the boxes-no sour cream or Greek yogurt needed!
Check out this recipe
Cranberry Upside Down Cake
This cranberry upside down cake is the perfect recipe if you are looking for something special to add to your holiday dessert table! The cranberries not only look gorgeous sitting on top of the cake, but they add a nice, tart contrast to the brown sugar syrup, which soaks into the buttery, rich cake underneath.
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Lemon Ricotta Cake
This lemon ricotta cake has moist, fluffy texture and a light, creamy flavor from ricotta and fresh lemon. It's super easy to make and only takes a little powdered sugar to look beautiful!
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Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is an incredibly moist, flavorful, and decadent dessert! Fresh zucchini gives the cake batter tons of natural moisture without compromising its delicious spiced vanilla flavor. Meanwhile, the frosting is so good you'll want to eat it with a spoon!
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Apple Cider Coffee Cake
This apple cider coffee cake features a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping, a moist cake layer studded with fresh apples, and a drizzle of apple cider glaze. If you're a fan of apple cider, you're going to love this coffee cake!
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Earl Grey Yogurt Cake
This stunning Earl Grey yogurt cake is made in one bowl with thick tangy Greek yogurt and finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves. It's a simple cake, perfect for any occasion. Finish it off with a vibrant, two ingredient blackberry glaze.
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Coconut Cream Cake
Making a homemade Coconut Cream Cake is easier than you think! So much coconut flavor thanks to canned coconut milk, coconut extract, and coconut flakes. This cake is super moist, so light & fluffy, and bursting with fresh and bright coconut flavor.
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Nectarine Almond Coffee Cake
This Nectarine Almond Coffee Cake is a moist, brown butter cake baked in a single layer under juicy nectarines and crunchy slivered almonds. Its almond glaze is optional but adds the perfect touch of sweetness to one of the tastiest breakfast recipes you'll ever find. This is a great back-to-school dish for those with busy schedules, but it also makes a fantastic addition to a lazy brunch menu.
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