30 Best Types of Cake (+ Different Varieties)

When it comes to different types of cake, we all have our preferences.

But luckily, cake is a magical thing. It’s sweet and delicious, and there are endless possibilities for you to try!

30 Different Types of Cakes

Whether you are a fan of fluffy sponge cakes or dense pound cakes, there are no wrong answers here.

From tender chocolate to bright red velvet cake, you’ll never be disappointed with this dessert.

That said, this guide will help you decide what cake is best for any occasion.

So let’s explore the different types of cake together. Just be warned, you’ll be drooling before we’re done.

1. Birthday Funfetti Cake

There are plenty of ways to celebrate turning another year older. But if you ask me, the best way is with Funfetti cake!

It features a buttery vanilla layer cake studded with the festive colors of the sprinkles.

This cake is typically coated with sweet buttercream, making it decadent.

Every bite of this cake brings a whiff of nostalgia that’ll bring out the kid within you!

2. Black Forest Cake

Black forest cake is perhaps one of the most sumptuous desserts on the planet.

It’s so delicious, you’ll want to eat it every day.

It has layers of fluffy chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and a cherry filling.

This cake is infused with cherry liqueur, bringing a richer and deeper flavor.

The combination is nothing short of heavenly!

3. Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake is a classic. And it’s not just a cake – it’s a symbol of love.

But, what is red velvet cake? “Velvet” isn’t a flavor, after all!

This vibrant sponge has a unique flavor that’s somewhere between chocolate and vanilla.

The color was once a natural reaction between the cocoa and the buttermilk in the batter.

Now it’s the result of food coloring.

Either way, it’s coated with fluffy cream cheese icing that ties all the flavors together.

4. Cupcakes

Are you planning a party and need to impress your guests? Or maybe you’re just looking for something sweet to eat?

Whatever the reason, cupcakes never fail to delight!

Nothing beats the fluffy cake base topped with decadent frosting. They’re soft, sweet, and delicious.

They come in all sorts of flavors, and you can decorate them to match your liking.

These handy little treats are a classic that never goes out of style!

5. Devil’s Food Cake

Devil’s food cake is a moist, dark chocolate cake that’s super rich and indulgent.

It’s not too sweet, and the flavor of the cocoa beans comes through beautifully.

Devil’s food cake has a richer flavor than regular chocolate cakes.

It has additional baking soda, butter, flour, and fewer eggs than the traditional recipe.

This cake is sinfully good, so it truly lives up to its name!

6. Angel Food Cake

No one can resist the hearty, light taste of angel food cake.

This sponge cake packs egg whites, flour, and sugar. The airy texture comes from the whipped egg whites and some cream of tartar.

It’s like a fluffy cloud with delightful sweetness and notes of vanilla. This cake is so light, it practically melts in your mouth.

And since this cake doesn’t use egg yolks, it’s a fantastic low-fat and low-calorie treat!

7. Pound Cakes

Pound cakes are famous for being moist, delicious, and super easy to make. They’re truly worth their weight!

This cake features a combination of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour.

The batter is poured into a loaf pan or a Bundt mold and baked to perfection.

You can dress up pound cakes however you like!

From classic vanilla to fruity flavors and decadent chocolate, pound cake makes for the best backdrop.

8. Sponge Cakes

Who doesn’t love sponge cake? The light, airy texture and sweet, delicate taste make them a favorite for any occasion.

But have you ever stopped to think about what makes a sponge cake so perfect?

The simple mix of eggs, flour, butter, and sugar is the answer.

This cake comes out of the oven fluffed up and perfectly browned.

It’s typically served with a dusting of sugar or filled with buttercream.

9. Coffee Cakes

If you can’t live without coffee like me, you know that coffee cake is a staple!

But what is a coffee cake? Well, it’s just a sweet pastry that goes perfectly with a cup of joe.

You can make it with a variety of different flavors and toppings.

So you can find one that suits your tastes, and the possibilities are endless.

10. Upside-Down Cakes

An upside-down cake is essentially a delicious fruit-based dessert with a fluffy cake base.

It’s made by putting fruits at the bottom of the pan and pouring over the batter.

This process allows the fruit to caramelize and infuse its flavors into the cake.

Once it’s done baking, the cake is flipped upside down from the pan, thus the name!

When you think of an upside-down cake, the first thing that comes to mind is probably pineapple.

But it comes in many flavors, and you can use your favorite fruit, too!

11. Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird cake is a classic Jamaican dessert that has been for generations.

This cake is filled with pineapple and bananas’ bright, sweet flavors.

It has an incredibly moist texture with layers of creamy frosting for extra decadence.

But why is it called the hummingbird cake? It’s named after the tiny birds that hover over flowers in search of sweet nectar.

And this cake is the sweet they’re looking for!

12. Chocolate Cake

When it comes to desserts, you can’t go wrong with chocolate cake.

It’s a classic, and this dessert never fails to impress!

This rich, luscious cake is always the star of any occasion.

It packs moist chocolatey goodness layered with even more chocolatey frosting.

Whether celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or the holidays, chocolate cake is a no-brainer choice!

13. Chiffon Cake

A chiffon cake is a type of cake that is light and fluffy with a delicate crumb.

It’s made by separating the yolks and whipping the egg whites before mixing them in the batter. 

This cake is typically confused with sponge cake, but chiffon cake uses baking powder and butter.

The result is a rich, fluffy cake that’s delightfully sweet and hearty when eaten plain.

Or you can dress it up with frosting and other toppings!

14. Carrot Cake

What’s a carrot cake? As the name suggests, it’s a cake with carrots.

It’s a rich, moist cake made with carrots and spices covered in cream cheese frosting.

This cake is infused with warm flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

It’s also often decorated with nuts to add texture and flavor.

It has a rustic feel, making it perfect for wholesome celebrations!

15. Opera Cake

If you’re unfamiliar with opera cake, you might wonder what makes it so special.

Well, let me tell you: this cake is like a whole lot of flavor in one package.

This rich and decadent layer cake features almond sponge cake soaked in solid coffee syrup.

It has a layer of French buttercream and indulgent chocolate ganache.

Each bite of this cake feels like a heavenly delight loaded with indulgent flavors!

16. Butter Cake

Butter cake is your soulmate if you prefer simple cakes over layers of bold flavors.

The ingredients are simple and easy to find at your local grocery store.

It requires basic baking ingredients like butter, flour, eggs, sugar, and leavening agents.

But what makes this simple cake special?

It’s delicate and moist with a rich, buttery flavor that makes this cake absolutely irresistible.

17. No-Bake Cheesecake

No-bake cheesecakes are everything you love about cheesecake but without the hassle of baking.

It’s creamy and decadent, with a crunchy graham cracker crust to die for.

Plus, it perfectly pairs with almost any topping and flavor you love.

Whether you want to add berries, chocolate, or caramel, this one has endless possibilities!

18. Ice Cream Cakes

Ice cream cakes are like a sweet dream come true. It’s a fusion between two of the most special treats: ice cream and cake!

This delicious frozen confection combines different layers of ice cream flavors into a loaf pan.

It’s frozen to perfection and decorated with toppings and frostings.

You can get classic vanilla or chocolate or try fun flavors like mint chocolate chip.

No matter what you pick, one thing is for sure. You’ll be happy with one bite of this treat!

19. Icebox Cakes

Icebox cakes are delicious, easy-to-make desserts that are perfect for summer.

They’re an ideal solution on hot days when you don’t want to heat the kitchen.

These beautiful little cakes contain layers of cream, fruit, nuts, and wafers.

They’re also easy to make, and you won’t need an oven.

Mix the ingredients and put them in the refrigerator for a few hours.

The hardest part of making them is waiting for them to freeze before you dig in!

20. Jell-O Cakes

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably never been able to resist a Jell-O cake.

This cake combines the fluffy goodness of cake with the fruity, jiggly Jell-O texture.

It’s so easy to make, and it tastes so good! Plus, it’s pretty much the perfect dessert for any occasion.

If you want to get fancy, there are many flavor options!

21. Bundt Cakes

Who doesn’t love a good bundt cake?

The smell of fresh, sweet cake batter wafting through your house is irresistible.

And the golden crust that forms on top of the cake as it bakes is divine, too.

Bundt cakes are a personal thing, which is what makes them so special.

For some people, it’s the glaze on top. Others love the crunchy toppings for Bundt cakes.

Whatever your preference, bundt cakes are a treat that everyone can enjoy!

22. Poke Cake

For beginner bakers, this cake is the ultimate, foolproof kind!

Made with a simple boxed cake mix, poke cakes are surprisingly packed with deliciousness.

Poke cakes are made by poking holes into the freshly-baked cake, usually with a fork.

This allows the cake to absorb whatever flavorful liquid or syrup you pour into the cake.

The result is a moist, rich cake with a burst of flavors in every bite.

23. Flourless Cakes

If you’re on a gluten-free or low-carb diet, flourless cakes are the perfect way to go!

Without flour, you might think that cake might lose its structure and signature fluffiness.

But flourless cakes are just as tasty, with a denser texture that holds all the deliciousness.

You can make this wheat-free type of cake in a variety of flavors.

Whether you like something indulgent or something refreshing, there are flourless options for any kind!

24. Strawberry Shortcake

Have you ever eaten a cake that tastes like a cloud of deliciousness? If not, you should try strawberry shortcake!

The moist texture of the cake and the sweet, tart flavor of the strawberries combined is downright addicting.

This cake will surely take your tastebuds on a journey of pure joy!

25. Basque Cheesecake

A slice of Basque cheesecake is like a little piece of heaven.

It’s rich and gooey with a hint of tartness from the cream cheese.

Plus, this cheesecake is baked at high temperatures, making the top part burnt and caramelized.

Basque cheesecake is almost indescribable in its deliciousness. You have to try it for yourself to see!

26. Basbousa

Do you want to take your tastebuds on an adventure? Then, this Middle Eastern cake is the way to go!

Basbousa is a sweet, spongy cake made with semolina and soaked in syrup.

It’s infused with vanilla, cinnamon, rose water, and orange blossom water for an aromatic touch.

This cake is rich and buttery. It’s hard to get enough of it!

27. Fruit Cake

When I think of the holidays, fruit cake always comes to mind!

It’s a moist cake studded with fruits, nuts, and spices. In some versions, this cake is soaked in spirits.

This cake is a rich and decadent treat that brings the taste of nostalgia.

Each bite of this cake packs soft, chewy textures with bright bursts of fruitiness.

28. Olive Oil Cake

Looking for an incredibly rich cake that’s healthier than regular cake? Then, olive oil cake is perfect!

The cake batter is infused with olive oil, making it incredibly moist with a richer flavor.

Plus, you can top it with berries, powdered sugar, or an extra glaze of olive oil.

This cake is perfect as an afternoon snack but also impressive for special occasions.

29. Yellow Cake

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a milestone, or just because, yellow cakes are perfect.

This cake comprises basic pantry staples like flour, eggs, butter, and whole eggs.

The batter is baked to perfection and coated with fluffy frostings.

It’s the perfect combination of fluffy goodness and moist crumb.

30. White Cake

White cake is a staple in any baker’s repertoire. It’s a simple, classic cake that tastes great with any filling or frosting.

Compared to yellow cakes, white cakes are made with only egg whites instead of whole eggs.

This results in a lighter texture and milder flavor that feels like biting into a cloud.

Most importantly, you can customize this cake depending on the occasion! 

Just add some fruit and fillings to make it festive and flavorful.

Or, if you want to keep things simple, coat it with buttercream frosting and enjoy!