30 Best Cake Flavors To Try (+ Easy Recipes)

Quick! How many cake flavors can you name off the top of your head? 

Chocolate, German chocolate, chocolate lava, Black Forest, Devil’s food, Oreo… Okay, it is obvious where my mind is at right now. 

Popular Cake Flavors

Despite what my (above) list would imply, there are so many cake flavors. Many of which have nothing to do with chocolate.

And while I cannot provide a 100% comprehensive list, I can think of several. That is what I have done here. 

I won’t list every cake flavor out there, but these are 30 of the best.

1. Chocolate Cake

Since I have chocolate on my brain, let’s start with a moist, super chocolatey cake. This cake is chocolate to the max. 

It features two fluffy chocolate cake layers. And between and on top of them is rich chocolate buttercream frosting. 

This cake is a chocoholic dream come true.

2. Devil’s Food Cake

Devil’s food cake is another one that every chocolate lover will adore. It is just as decadent and indulgent as the chocolate cake above. 

Only this one has a thicker, fudgier consistency. So, it is sinfully good. 

3. Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

In the mood for chocolate but don’t want a ton of it all at once? Go for this chocolate-iced yellow cake instead. 

It, too, is light and moist, and the chocolate frosting is on point. 

However, the buttery, vanilla-infused cake layer adds another depth of non-chocolatey goodness. And it won’t put you into a chocolate coma. 

4. Pumpkin Cake 

Okay. I am done talking about chocolate for a while. (But it will come up again before we finish.) 

Let’s switch gears and talk about one of my fall favorites. 

Pumpkin cake is a flavorful, spiced cake perfect for when the weather turns cool. 

It features pumpkin pie spice, of course. But that is not all that makes it delicious. 

It also has brown sugar, chopped pecans, toffee, and more. Every bite is rich and chewy, with a delightful texture. Everyone will love it! 

And since it’s a dump cake, it comes together fast. You only have to do 10 minutes of hands-on work. Easy-peasy. 

5. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake is another popular autumnal dessert in my family. We often have it on both our Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert tables. 

But carrot cake can turn out too dry if you do not make it correctly. Not this one, though. 

It has two secret moisture-heavy ingredients: applesauce and crushed pineapples.

This is unbelievably tasty, and the cream cheese frosting makes it more so. 

6. Hummingbird Cake

Despite its popularity, I have only recently tried hummingbird cake. Wow, have I been missing out all these years! 

This should be the next cake you bake.

It has a little something for everyone. Hummingbird cake is light and fruity with bananas and pineapples. 

But it is also features a subtle spice (cinnamon) and a delicious nuttiness (pecans). 

The best part? The tangy cream cheese frosting with vanilla and pineapple juice! This cake has it all, and it is all incredible. 

7. Lemon Cake

This lovely lemon Bundt cake is always a summertime favorite. It looks gorgeous, smells fantastic, and tastes even better. 

If you love the tart sweetness of lemon desserts, you will go crazy for it. 

8. Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Let’s ease back into talking about chocolate with this beautiful red velvet cake. 

Cocoa powder, vanilla, and butter combine to give it the most delicious taste. Plus, you use buttermilk as a secret ingredient for extra moistness.

Everything about this cake is perfect. (Which is why it has a 4.8 out of 5 overall star rating.)

9. German Chocolate Cake

German chocolate cake was my favorite cake growing up. It is still near the top of my list today.

It features a robust, bittersweet chocolate flavor. And the sweet and nutty coconut frosting is so tasty. You will want to lick it off your plate. 

I may or may not be speaking from experience. 

There’s just something about the tastes and textures in this cake that makes it spectacular. 

It can be a bit time-consuming, though, so maybe save it for special occasions. 

10. Spice Cake

Looking for a moist, flavorful alternative to carrot cake or pumpkin desserts? Spice cake is perfect. 

Its mix of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, etc., makes it ideal for fall. 

Every bite is like a little explosion of spiced Heaven on your tongue. Luckily, the sweet-n-tangy cream cheese frosting helps mellow out the richness. 

11. Apple Cake

Sometimes, you want something old-fashioned to help take you back to your roots. That is exactly what you get with this moist apple cake. 

It features nearly as many robust spices as the spice cake above. 

However, adding juicy, tart apples completely transforms its flavor. 

Every bite has a ton of bright apple flavor. And the tender crumb is a joy to consume. Be sure to add the walnuts, too. 

They are optional, but they elevate the cake taste.

12. Black Forest Cake

It doesn’t matter if you decorate black forest cake as it is here. Or leave it plain and simple. 

Its rich combination of chocolate, cream, and cherries will make it a hit. No matter what. 

I am not much of a decorator. So, my black forest cakes never look as pretty as this one. 

But they still disappear quickly! I must be doing something right because my family never leaves me with any leftovers.

13. Marble Cake

You do not have to be a decorator to make marble cake look beautiful. Its signature chocolate vanilla swirl makes it lovely enough. 

And that happens just by baking it! 

It’s the ideal cake for a family who cannot choose between chocolate and vanilla. 

14. Cheesecake

Want to bake the perfect cheesecake without the hassle of a water bath? I have the recipe for you! 

This is a copycat Sara Lee cheesecake that tastes just like the original. 

It requires 10 minutes of prep, and the oven does the rest. Embellish it with your favorite fruits, berries, syrups, or other toppings. 

15. Pound Cake

Do you prefer Sara Lee’s pound cakes to her cheesecakes? No problem! I have a recipe for that, too. 

It requires only six ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep work. 

It’s so simple that even a newbie chef can make it. And it will always turn out great! 

16. Chocolate Lava Cake

I love the experience of lave cake, especially the first forkful. There is nothing like sinking your fork into the cake and releasing its molten core. 

It is like a river of rich chocolate. 

And then, you take that first bite of fluffy cake and warm chocolate. *Sigh*

I don’t know about you. But this is about as close to Heaven on Earth as it gets for me. 

17. White Cake

White cake may be simple and traditional, but it is far from plain or boring. In fact, some of the most elegant cakes are white cakes. (Wedding cakes, for example.) 

This one is beautiful in its simplicity. 

Every bite is wonderfully light, impossibly fluffy, and delightfully moist. It’s also buttery and features the flavors of white chocolate and vanilla. 

18. Coconut Cake

This decadent cake is like a pina colada in dessert form. It has a phenomenal sweet and tropical flavor and is beyond moist. 

Thanks to the pineapple filling, it is downright juicy! 

It looks like a traditional coconut cake, but the pineapples make all the difference. They give it a bold tropical flair. 

You will dream of beaches and palm trees. 

19. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Speaking of pineapples, I cannot overlook the equally juicy pineapple upside-down cake. 

It’s loaded with pineapple flavor from the cake mix to the pineapple slices on top. 

Plus, the pineapple, cherry, and brown sugar topping gives it an enchanting appearance. (Not to mention, it tastes incredible.) 

It’s a good, old-fashioned pineapple upside-down cake, just like your grandma used to make. 

20. Orange Cake

Want a spectacular, citrus-heavy cake you can serve for brunch? Or even a sweet breakfast on the go? 

Then try this orange cake with fresh orange juice and a crunchy orange sugar glaze! 

You’ll taste buttery goodness and zingy citrus flavor in every bite. It makes a terrific dessert, but you can enjoy it anytime. 

This pairs perfectly with a mug of hot tea or coffee. 

21. Funfetti Cake

No child’s birthday is complete without a funfetti cake. It’s almost like a rite of passage. You cannot grow up, until you have had one. 

This cake is a fun favorite for kids of all ages– from 9 to 99! 

It’s a simple vanilla cake with rich buttercream frosting. The only thing that sets it apart is the colorful, festive sprinkles. 

They also somehow make it taste even better than a sprinkle-less vanilla cake. 

Hey, funfetti is a classic for a reason! 

22. Ice Cream Cake

Ice cream cake is another birthday party staple we have all had at least once. 

There are many ways to make ice cream cakes. And you can use whatever flavors you like best. 

Heck, you don’t even have to make it yourself! Head to Dairy Queen (or Culver’s or Cold Stone) to buy one.

But this one works if you want an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe.

The strawberry version mentioned here is my favorite. It looks and tastes like Neapolitan ice cream and has something for everyone who tries it. 

23. Strawberry Cake

Are you in the mood for something bright, fruity, and pretty in pink? Homemade strawberry cake is just the thing. 

The cake layer is fluffy and moist. It features a puree made from real strawberries.

Then, ice it with a strawberry cream cheese icing. (It also contains realstrawberries!) 

This cake has no artificial flavoring. (Although you might need a few drops of red food dye.) 

It is a fresh and refreshing summer cake overflowing with strawberry goodness. You can slice up some strawberries and add a few to the top. 

24. Oreo Cake

If you haven’t heard of Oreo cake, do not worry. It is what it sounds like it would be- a cake full of Oreos! 

Oreos are in both the cake layer and the cream cheese frosting. 

It has an attractive appearance and a beloved cookies and cream flavor. 

Now, this cake takes some time to get right. And it is more for intermediate bakers than beginners. 

Still, if you want a cake that will wow a crowd, Oreo cake is it. 

25. Caramel Cake

Can you ever have too many old-fashioned, take-you-back-to-your-childhood cake recipes? I don’t think so. 

And that is why caramel cake is another of my favorites. 

It’s a simple, buttery vanilla cake with rich caramel icing. However, the caramel is thick and creamy, thanks to the heavy cream and whole milk. 

No stiff and sticky caramel icing here. 

This is the epitome of delicious. All caramel-loving people will agree! 

26. Italian Cream Cake

Italian cream cake is a delectable dessert known for its moist, tender crumb. (As well as its indulgent flavor.)

It’s made with chopped pecans, shredded coconut, and tangy cream cheese frosting. 

This classic cake offers a delightful taste of Italy in every bite.

27. Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake moves away from Italy and into Latin America. 

It’s a moist sponge cake soaked in a luscious mixture of three milks. (Evaporated, sweetened condensed, and heavy cream.) 

Finish it by topping it with whipped cream. I also love to dust it with cinnamon and garnish it with fresh strawberries. 

This cake is super sweet, tender, juicy, and over-the-top delicious. In short, it is divine.

28. Rainbow Cake

Rainbow cake is a simple vanilla cake with buttercream frosting. What makes it so fabulous, though, are the layers of multi-colored (rainbow) hues. 

This cake tastes like a traditional classic that everyone loves. But it looks magical. 

Use it for Pride, unicorn-themed parties, birthday parties, and more. Or, you know, just because you love rainbows. 

29. Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Want a not-too-sweet cake to pair with your morning cup of joe? Sour cream coffee cake is perfect. 

It is a tender cake with a moist crumb and a cinnamon-spiced streusel swirl throughout.

Tangy sour cream enriches it for a delightful balance of flavors. And the unexpected crunch in every bite is a revelation. 

Sour cream coffee cake is a comforting, irresistible treat for any time of day. 

30. Peanut Butter Cake

Nostalgia, thy name is a peanut butter cake. 

This old-fashioned but always relevant cake is a classic. 

It combines rich, nutty peanut butter with soft, moist, buttery cake. (And just a hint of vanilla.) 

Peanut butter cake is a heartwarming cake and a generational favorite. And it is every peanut butter fanatic’s favorite dessert.