15 Unforgettable Birthday Cake Recipes

These 15 easy and delicious birthday cakes are the perfect way to celebrate with your loved ones in a special way.

Debating over the best birthday cake for your kids, partner, sibling or co-worker? Skip the store-bought cake this year and try one of these delicious (and stunning!) birthday cake recipes below. These 15 easy and delicious cakes are the perfect way to celebrate with your loved ones in a special way.

No matter what the theme is, one or more of these impressive cakes will be a fit for your celebration. There is just something so special about a homemade cake—you can feel the love made from it! And if you're not the best baker, there are ways to doctor up a boxed cake mix to make it taste homemade. A boxed mix cuts down on time and extra steps, simplifying your hours in the kitchen as well.

Related: 19 Easy Vegan Mug Cake Recipes You Can Make In Minutes

From a whimsical Goldfish Cake for the littles and a Cannoli Cake for the Italian fans, to Cookie Dough Cake, Brown Butter Carrot Cake and more, you will find so many unique cakes that will stand out from the usual confections you come across in this list.

So pick a cake, take advantage of all the perks a birthday party has to offer and get ready for a baking adventure!

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Commonly Asked Cake Questions

How to make a birthday cake?

You will find that all of these recipes walk you through step by step on how to make a birthday cake. Make sure to follow directions and measure your ingredients properly.

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What is birthday cake flavor?

Classic birthday cake is a vanilla cake with sprinkles mixed in. But, the best birthday cake flavor is whatever your celebrant's favorite flavor is!

Related: Creative Donut Cake Ideas

How to decorate a birthday cake for beginners?

You will find tons of resources online tutorials on how to decorate a cake for a beginner. Start with minimal piping, and ensure you practice before you begin frosting your actual cake.

15 Best Birthday Cake Recipes

1. Goldfish Cake

Whether you're going for an under-the-sea themed party, or even a fishing party, this adorable goldfish cake will be the star of a kid's party. Grab your supplies and get to baking!

Get The Recipe: Goldfish Cake

2. Brown Butter Carrot Cake

An all-time favorite cake winner? Sinfully delicious carrot cake that nearly broke the internet. Brown butter enhances and elevates all the flavors of this carrot cake, which can be the perfect b-day cake!

Get The Recipe: Brown Butter Carrot Cake

Related: Christina Tosi’s Candy Cane Sheet Cake Is Like the Milk Bar Birthday Cake Winterized

3. Chocolate Chevron Cake

An Ina Garten-inspired cake that's a rich and decadent chocolate cake with a white chevron pattern across the top. An undeniable dessert!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Chevron Cake

Related: 31 Best Cake Recipes Everyone Should Try Once

4. Rainbow Surprise Cake

Bright, colorful and layers upon layers. Here is a vibrant over-the-rainbow themed cake. Celebrate in a big bold way!

Get The Recipe: Layered Rainbow Cake

5. Ding Dong Cake

Rich layers of chocolate cake and marshmallow filling mimic the classic Ding Dongs dessert you can buy at the grocery store. Such a fun birthday cake idea.

Get The Recipe: Ding Dong Cake

6. Layered Lemon Cake

A stunning and gorgeous cake that is loaded with tangy and flavorful citrus flavor. If you are like many of us, lemon desserts are always welcome.

Get The Recipe: Layered Lemon Cake

7. Cannoli Cake

Tons of mini chocolate chips, cannolis on top and rich Italian cake flavor—this is the perfect Italian dessert to serve at a birthday party this year.

Get The Recipe: Cannoli Cake

8. Cookie Dough Cake

Do you love cookie dough? If so, this cookie dough cake is one you will want to dive into! Grab a knife and slice and serve a gorgeous cake up for your party.

Get The Recipe: Cookie Dough Cake

Related: 6 Delicious Edible Cookie Dough Recipes

9. Pineapple Cake

How sweet is this pineapple design cake? A great birthday cake idea for kids, or anyone who is wishing for a tropical escape!

Get The Recipe: Pineapple Cake

10. Kool-Aid Ombré Cake

Check out this ombré cake that is such a creative idea. On the outside, it looks like a classic cake and when you slice into it, you get a cool blue surprise.

Get The Recipe: Kool-Aid Ombre Cake

11. Strawberry Shortcake Cake

If you love strawberry shortcake, this cake is going to make your heart skip a beat. A light and moist cake, creamy topping and fresh berries in each bite.

Get The Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cake

12. Red Velvet Cake

Here is a classic red velvet cake that is a layered cake with a delicious cream cheese frosting. A tasty dessert that's always a hit with family and friends.

Get The Recipe: Red Velvet Cake

13. Unicorn Cake

Chances are you've seen the rainbow layer cake trend all over Pinterest and you're not alone. We're equally obsessed with this whimsical unicorn cake that's so fun for kids and adults to make—and even more amazing to eat.

Get The Recipe: Rainbow Unicorn Cake

14. Coconut Cake

This sheet cake poke cake is a creamy coconut dessert that's yummy, moist, and full of coconut flavor through and through.

Get The Recipe: Coconut Cream Cake

15. Buttermilk Chocolate Chip and Passion Fruit Naked Layer Cake

If you are looking for something new and unique for a birthday cake, this buttermilk chocolate chip passion fruit naked layer cake will not disappoint!

Get The Recipe: Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Passion Fruit Naked Layer Cake

Want more cake? Check out these naked cake recipes!