Who doesn’t want dessert with less fuss? These single layer cake recipes are designed to make cake baking simpler while still giving you irresistible results.
Easy One Layer Cake Recipes
As much as I love the beauty of prettily decorated multi-layer cakes, the truth of the matter is that they’re just not my favorite thing to bake. Sure, I’ll make one from time to time, but I’m far more likely to whip up a simple single layer cake.
Just because there aren’t multiple layers with fillings and frostings doesn’t mean these aren’t beauties in their own right. These cakes are great choices for those times when you want a fabulous cake without the fuss. If you crave a little simplicity in your cake baking, too, then this collection of one-layer cakes is for you!
If you aren’t already there, I hope these recipes will make you believer that single layer cakes can be just as beautiful and appealing as their multi-layer counterparts. And if you’re craving more, be sure to see all of BoB’s one-layer cakes in the Recipe Index.
Tips for Making Single Layer Cakes
Luckily, one of the great things about single layer cakes is that you don’t need advanced baking skills to create them. Each recipe has its specific tips, but there are some general things to keep in mind to help make sure yours turn out perfectly.
- Measure accurately. This is always important in baking, and I don’t usually miss an opportunity to remind you to take care with your measurements. If you have a digital kitchen scale, use it for the best results.
- Use the right pan. Unless stated otherwise, a light-colored metal pan is pretty much always your best option. For cakes, I usually avoid pans with sloped sides in favor of ones with straight sides.
- Spread the batter evenly. Take an extra minute or two to make sure your batter is spread evenly so that your cake won’t be lopsided. It will look better, obviously, but it will also help it bake more evenly.
- Make clean slices. For most cakes, you’ll get the best looking slices by using a sharp knife to make smooth, confident cuts with no sawing motion. Wipe off the knife between slices.
Easy Single Layer Cakes
Skip the fuss of a multi-layer cake with these simple one-layer cakes. The combination of simplicity and amazing flavor makes these recipes favorites for any occasion!
Chocolate is always a crowd-pleaser, and this easy Chocolate Sheet Cake is no exception. Serve it simply or add a splash of color with sprinkles.
Lemon Almond Butter Cake is one of the most popular cake recipes I've ever shared on BoB. Homemade or store-bought lemon curd adds lots of big lemon flavor to this easy cake.
This Cinnamon Pudding Cake and its sauce bake all at the same time. When it's ready, just flip it onto a serving plate and top with nuts. It's like baking magic!
I just love this hazelnut twist on classic chocolate-vanilla marble cake. Use your favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread for the flavor twist in this Chocolate Hazelnut Marble Cake. Top with a simple chocolate frosting, and you've got a pretty, swirly, delicious dessert!
Brown Butter Almond Cake with Apricot Whipped Cream is really just lovely. The soft, delicate cake is topped with a thick layer of whipped cream that gets a flavor boost from apricot preserves. Top that off with some almonds, and you've got one fantastic cake!
Irish Cream Cake is just the kind of cake that's sure to impress for a special occasion. You get a light, fluffy, flavorful cake in a single round layer. This cake supplies all the dessert wow factor in just one layer!
This Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake is wonderfully rich and delicious. And it's so easy to make that you won't even need your mixer! This crowd-pleasing cake is perfect for your favorite chocolate lovers.
I go a little berry crazy once the season hits, and this Berry Vanilla Cake is a wonderfully easy and tasty way to use up whatever berries you may have on hand. Serve it just as is or add a dollop of ice cream or sweetened whipped cream to each slice.
Two classic cakes meld into one spectacular Tres Leches Rum Cake. Of all of these cakes, this one will likely take the most time to make, but that's just time spent spooning all that good stuff on top of the cake. Totally worth every minute. It's wonderfully moist and delicious. Definitely worthy of a special occasion!
When it comes to all-out chocolate desserts, it's pretty tough to beat this Easy Chocolate Torte. It's so wonderfully rich and fudgy that it's sure to be irresisible to chocolate lovers!
I've always had a soft spot for spice cakes, and this Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting is no exception. I'm a big, big fan of this frosting, but try a cream cheese frosting for something a little different.
No single layer cake collection would be complete without a Texas sheet cake, and this Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake is one of my favorites. I like to top it with a bit of chopped chocolate along with some peanuts, but you can omit the chocolate for an all-in peanut butter experience!
You can use any kind of berry you like for this Simple Blueberry Cake. This is the kind of quick and easy cake that you'll find yourself making again and again during berry season.
Enjoy the great flavors of tiramisu in this easy single layer cake! Instead of ladyfingers, we start with a light vanilla cake and add a coffee syrup and a fluffy mascarpone frosting.
If you've ever thought that vanilla is boring, then you should try this Vanilla Bean Cake with Browned Butter Icing. This beauty makes the most of simple flavors in a big way. It's a perfect ending to a dinner with a few friends or a lovely snack for coffee or tea time.
For a twist on a more traditional coconut cake, try this version with an incredibly easy dulce de leche frosting. This cake has such wonderful flavor, and all that toasted coconut on top makes it quite an eye-catcher, too!
If you love all things lemon, you'll adore this lovely Lemon Sheet Cake. There's plenty of lemon in both the cake and the icing for a bright, refreshing flavor.
You won't believe how easy it is to make this Almond Gâteau Breton! It's so wonderfully buttery and full of almond flavor. Serve it with a simple sprinkling of confectioners' sugar or add a quick blueberry sauce if you like.
I absolutely adore this srawberry cake! It's studded with fresh strawberries in both the cake and the frosting for plenty of strawberry flavor.
For simplicity at its best, it's tough to beat this Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Frosting. It's simple enough for an everyday dessert but also an excellent choice for a birthday, holiday, or other celebration. The vanilla flavor really shines here!
4 Comments on “20 No-Fuss Single Layer Cakes”
What a great collection of cakes! Everything looks delicious ♥
Just what I was looking for! Wanted to have a variety of cakes to offer for dessert without having too much. Can’t wait to try them.
I’m pretty sure sure it was on BoB that I saw this recipe. It had sliced bananas layered on to the cake I believe before baking. It might even be a banana bread type cake. I’ve searched the months I thought I may have seen it. I search this website all the time. If IG has your post I may sometimes keep following one recipe then another so I might not know what month it came from.
Hi, Jeanne! I don’t think that’s one of mine, but it sounds good! Try searching through my banana recipes and see if one of those rings a bell.