Everyone loves cakes but it can be hard to decide which one to make. There are so many different types of cakes for birthdays or for other celebrations to choose from! So how do you pick the recipe that will be right for you?
In this post you will find useful information about the most common cakes. They are divided by flavors, textures and baking methods.
This is a generalized cake categorization which will guide you through commonly known cake names. Keep in mind that there are also variations of each particular kind.
Butter Cake
This is the classic American style cake prepared with the "creaming method". This means that in the preparation of the layers the butter and the sugar are creamed as a first step and the rest of the ingredients are added gradually afterwards.
This type of cake is fluffy and with nice texture if enough air has been incorporated in the batter during the creaming process. I personally find this method a bit more challenging than other types of cakes, e.g. the sponge cake.
The butter cake originates from the English Pound Cake. If you like firm and not too moist texture, this cake is for you! You can try out one of the following recipes:
Sponge Cake
Sponge cake is one of my favorite types of cakes. It has a light and fluffy texture, based on eggs as the main ingredient.
To make it you need to start the layer preparation by beating the egg yolks with the sugar. Separately whip the egg whites. Afterwards you have to combine the two mixtures adding also the flour.
In the old recipes eggs were the only leavener for this type of cake but I always like to add baking powder for extra safety.
The sponge cake goes well with almost any frosting because it is light and airy. It is a very versatile base, used for many kinds of desserts.
If this excites you, try out one of the following cake recipes:
Angel Food Cake
This cake is similar to the Sponge Cake but it doesn't contain yolks. This makes its texture even lighter.
The classic Angel Food Cake is served by itself, just dusted with some powdered sugar. However I find it also great with a rich frosting.
Classic Vanilla Cake
One of the best birthday cakes you can make is the Classic Vanilla Cake!
There are different variations of it and most follow the butter cake creaming method.
My favorite kind, however, is based on eggs. The preparation starts by beating whole eggs with sugar for a long time. This brings a lot of air in the batter and makes the layers light and rich at the same time. A cake that everyone should try!
Chocolate Layer Cake
Who doesn't love chocolate cake? And there are so many different variations of it (you will find so many in this blog!).
Chocolate cakes can be prepared both with the creaming method and with the egg beating method. But there is an easier option: whisking the dry ingredients and gradually adding the wet ones. This recipe is following exactly this method:
Of course there are delicious cakes made with different techniques, like for example the following made with the egg method:
Red Velvet Cake
Everyone should try this classic layer cake with cocoa powder, vanilla and cream cheese frosting! The red velvet cake is a unique type of dessert.
There are so many different recipes for Red Velvet Cake and the preparation method might vary. What is most important in this famous dessert is the right combination of ingredients that creates the unique taste and texture.
You can make Red Velvet Cake even in a healthier version:
Or why not try the Blue Velvet Cake which is made in a similar way but with the layers colored in blue.
Olive Oil Cake
If you never tried a cake with olive oil, you don't know what you are missing! The layers made with oil are moister than the ones with butter. In addition the olive oil leaves a very subtile flavor which is really good in combination with a citrus taste.
In terms of preparation you can't cream oil with sugar like you do with the butter. So this type of cake is best prepared by whisking the ingredients or by whipping the eggs.
Carrot Cake
Everyone loves carrot cakes! The grated vegetable in the batter makes the layers moister and softer. Adding also some spices makes the cake a real pleasure for the palate.
Again this is a cake that you can make in many different ways, depending on the recipe and on the additional ingredients. The most common thing is the grated carrots in the batter and the spices.
Other than that some recipes call for nuts, orange zest or juice, applesauce or even pineapple. Consider what you like and what you have in your pantry before choosing the right recipe for you.
Here are two Carrot Cake recipes that are not exactly classic but will surely impress everyone around you.
Flourless Cake
Can you make a cake without flour? Yes, if you use cocoa powder!
The flourless cakes are gooey and fudgy. They are not the best cakes to assemble with frosting but they are great to eat on their own.
Many flourless cake recipes require beating of the eggs to incorporate air. My recipe is easier, you just need a whisk and not a mixer. It is keto but you can use sugar and make it in a classic version.
Upside-Down Cake
Another cake that doesn't need a frosting is the Upside Down Cake. To make it you first place fruits on the bottom of the pan and pour the batter on top.
Invert the cake after baking and enjoy delicious fruit topping that has baked at the bottom of the pan.
Fruit Cake
This type of cakes have dried fruits added in the batter. And usually also spices and some liquor. They are often baked in a loaf or in a bundt pan. They are full of flavors and typical for the winter holidays.
Here is my variation with frosting. It is suitable also for kids as it contains rum extract instead of liquor!
Medovik
Medovik is a Russian style cake with thin layers and sour cream frosting. It contains honey in the layers.
This type of cake layers are completely different from the usual cakes made with batter. They are baked similarly to cookies, cut out from dough
However it is worth trying Medovik: the thin layers soaked with the sour cream frosting are really delicious and literally melt in your mouth!
Napoleon Cake
Similarly to Medovik, its layers are thin. In this case they are made of puff pastry. The frosting is a simple pastry cream.
A very creamy and tasty cake which you too can make at home!
Icebox Cake
This is not exactly a cake, rather a no-bake dessert. Its layers are wafers or graham crackers or cookies in some cases.
Icebox Cakes are usually easier to make than other cakes and are also very tasty, moist and creamy.
You can try out some of the options below:
Cheesecake
Cheesecake is many people's favorite cake! And there are so many variations you can prepare.
The classic cheesecake is baked but there are also no-bake versions. You can have it with anything: vanilla, chocolate, fruits and more!
If you are a cheesecake lover, check out from the variations below or see the gallery with all the Cheesecakes in the blog.
Vertical Layer Cake
This types of cakes look intimidating but they are actually quite easy to make.
They are made from a long sponge layer rolled with some kind of frosting. So practically they are sponge cake rolls assembled as a cakes.
Ice Cream Cake
Ice cream lovers can have their birthday cake frozen! And the good part is that you can make an Ice Cream cake with homemade ice cream with no artificial colorants and additives.
How are these types of cake made? Usually they have a thin base: could be made of crumbs and butter like the cheesecakes or baked like the standard cakes. Over the base you pour ice cream and then the cake goes to the freezer.
Here you will find three completely different recipes to chose from with different variations of ice cream and base. No matter which one you choose, they are all so delicious!
Cake Roll
The Swiss Rolls are amazing, even if their shape is a bit different. They are light and fluffy, made of a sponge layer and filled with decadent frosting.
You can have a Cake Roll for your birthday! The taste is as delicious as any sponge cake and it is much easier to slice and distribute in plates.
Which type of cake you love the most? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
If you made any of the recipes above, please let me know! I always love to hear from you.
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