50 Plus Layer Cake Recipes

Layered cakes are the new trend in celebration cakes. And, the taller the cake the prettier it looks. Hence, due to my professional cake decorating background, these layer cakes have now become my absolute favorite type of cakes. I love coffee cakes but you must admit there is something grand about tall layers of cakes.

About my layer cakes

If you see my layer cake recipes, I usually have two recipes, sometimes three. One is an oil-based cake, while the other is a butter-based cake. And, there are times when one is better than the other, right?

For example, for my wedding cakes, that need to travel or in the summer humidity, I go with my butter-based recipes. And yet, my small cakes, single-tier cakes, two-tier cakes, and in winter I use my oil-based cakes.

In addition, I love the moisture component that oil-based cakes bring, but I also love the rich flavor component that butter-based cakes have. And, while I want to be a successful cake decorator, serving delicious cakes to my customers, I also want a stress free profession. So, these little things can make a huge difference. 

So, here is a list of almost 50 of my layer cakes recipes that I use as a cake decorator. In addition, I also have a huge selection of coffee cakes, which I often use when I need to make cakes for family and friends.

White Lace Wedding Cake (50)

Copper Simpress Wedding Cake

Violet Magnolia Wedding Cake (11)

Floral Wedding Cake (17)

50 plus layer cakes recipes

Classic vanilla cake recipes

One Bowl Vanilla Cake Recipe

This one-bowl vanilla cake recipe is a simple, easy and effortless recipe and ideal when you need a quick and easy cake. It's baked from scratch and taste delicious on its own. Works as a great tea time treat, frost it for a quick dessert or decorate to create a celebration cake. Add flavor or fillings to create more variations of this classic.

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Vanilla Birthday Cake with Vanilla Buttercream

A moist butter-based vanilla cake paired with a silky, smooth bakery-style vanilla buttercream makes a perfect homemade vanilla birthday cake. Baked from scratch this cake is surprisingly simple and easy to make from baking to frosting. A few sprinkles make this a celebration cake for any occasion whether you are five or fifty.

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Light and Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe

This is the best moist, light and fluffy vanilla cake recipe you will ever make. Made using a butter-based cake batter with whipped egg whites that gives it a light and fluffy texture and a delicate soft crumb. A surprisingly simple and easy recipe that takes 10 minutes to mix and 30 minutes to bake. Perfect for any special occasion or celebration cake.

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Mom's Vanilla Cake Recipe

This vanilla cake recipe is moist, rich with a tender crumb. A butter-based cake made with fresh cream in the batter which makes it absolutely irresistible. Perfect on its own or frosted and decorated as a celebration cake.

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Vanilla Bean Cake Recipe

This moist vanilla bean cake is my butter-based cake batter flavored with wonderful vanilla bean paste. Delicious on its own and can also be accompanied with many different fillings and frostings. Today, I make it a naked cake so the rich vanilla flavor can shine through.

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Bakery Style White Wedding Cake Recipe

A white wedding cake is a classic and most popular wedding cake flavor also know as bakery style wedding cake.  A Light and airy cake using only egg whites and vegetable shortening for that white color and often accompanied with white frosting to maintain that white cake appearance. This moist, light and airy cake uses white butter for its superior flavor and frosted with white Italian meringue buttercream for more luxury and richness. 

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White Cake Recipe

This delicate, light, and airy white cake recipe is frosted with my white Ermine frosting. Made with whipped egg whites, this cake is surprisingly simple and easy to make using my step-by-step tutorial.

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Vanilla Kahlua Cake with Kahlua Chocolate Buttercream

This Vanilla Kahlua cake is rich, creamy and decadent frosted with a Kahlua chocolate buttercream. A surprisingly easy recipe, perfect for a weekend dessert or special celebration.

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The BEST Eggless Vanilla Cake Recipe

This eggless vanilla cake recipe is moist with a soft crumb. It is made without condensed milk and tastes absolutely delicious. Great on its own with tea or dressed with frosting for an elegant celebration cake. It can also be used to carve as a novelty cake. A simple, easy and effortless recipe that's versatile and can be tweaked to make many different flavors and combinations. 

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Easy Rainbow Cake Recipe from scratch

Make a perfect rainbow cake recipe with all the seven colors of the rainbow. This step by step tutorial with pictures and video shows you how to make a seven layer rainbow cake simple, easy and effortlessly. Whether you chose to use gel food colors or natural food colors to make the colors this is a birthday cake recipe any kid would love to celebrate with.

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Chocolate cake recipes

One Bowl Chocolate Cake with Bakery Style Frosting

A one-bowl chocolate cake recipe is a must-have recipe on hand. What can be easier than add everything to the bowl, mix it up and bake it? No need for mixers or fancy equipment. Taste delicious on its own and yet a versatile cake with so many variations to try.

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Chocolate Birthday Cake

This homemade chocolate birthday cake is the best chocolate cake you can make to celebrate with the family on a special day. Frosted with chocolate buttercream and chocolate ganache this cake is rich, moist, and chocolaty. Simple and easy recipe with my step by step video and you will be a pro at decorating this cake.

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Simple Moist Chocolate Cake

This simple and easy recipe makes an irresistible simple moist chocolate cake.  All you need are two bowls and a whisk. The light and airy texture of this cake mean you can be served on its own. Try whipped cream for a light dessert or with any of my frostings for a more indulgent affair.

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Death by Chocolate Cake

Death by chocolate cake is the ultimate cake for chocolate lovers. Three layers of rich, decadent, chocolate with velvety smooth rich chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream and chocolate ganache. A surprisingly simple and easy recipe to make and perfect for any celebration or as a festive dinner dessert.

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Chocolate Chiffon Cake with Kahlua Buttercream Frosting

Rich, decadent, light and airy chocolate chiffon cake layered with a melt in your mouth Kahlua buttercream frosting. Perfect to use as a celebration cake or when you need a chocolate treat that's not too dense and heavy. This oil-based batter with must less fat than traditional cakes is perfect when you need a light pick me up chocolate dessert.

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Coffee Chocolate Cake

This coffee chocolate cake is perfect for anyone that loves coffee and a rich, dense chocolate cake. We've got coffee in the cake, in the simple syrup, in the chocolate frosting, and in the chocolate drip. A simple and easy recipe perfect for the weekend, a festive dinner or a special celebration cake.

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Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake

This moist chocolate fudge cake is rich and dense. Made with both chocolate and cocoa powder from scratch then frosted with a rich chocolate fudge frosting.

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BEST Chocolate Mud Cake Recipe

If you looking for a rich, dense, and easy chocolate mud cake? This is it! Three layers of dense chocolate cake layered with wonderful caramel buttercream that's finger-licking good. Perfect for any birthday, celebration or just went you are in a chocolate mood. A treat on its own with or without frosting.

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Cardamom Cake with Mocha Buttercream

Cardamom and coffee is a wonderful combination in this cardamom cake. A light and airy butter-based coffee cake delicately flavored with cardamom and nutmeg. Then, generously frosted with mocha buttercream. Perfect for a festive celebration or special occasion.

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Devils Food Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache

This rich, dark and delicious devils food chocolate cake is simple and easy to make, and also light and decadent. Filled with my five minutes vanilla buttercream and frosted with a chocolate ganache this is the ultimate chocolate cake for any chocolate lover. This simple recipe takes five minutes to mix and 40 minutes to bake.

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Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream

This light and refreshing chocolate cake with whipped cream is simple, and yet decadent. Three layers of incredibly moist chocolate cake layers with whipped cream filling and a light sprinkle of grated chocolate. An easy recipe that takes five minutes to mix with a bowl and whisk before you bake it for 30 minutes. Perfect for a weekend dinner or for a family celebration. 

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Chocolate Ganache Cake

A chocolate ganache cake for a true chocolate lover. Delicious layers of rich chocolate cake frosted with chocolate ganache and chocolate glaze for that ultimate finish. Whether you make this for a birthday celebration or for a simple weekend dinner. This chocolate cake is truly a dessert to be enjoyed guilt-free.

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Moist Eggless Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe

This moist eggless chocolate fudge cake has a firm texture with a soft crumb that melts in the mouth. Simple and easy eggless chocolate cake without condensed milk. And it's very versatile with so many flavor variations. Try it with rich buttercream frosting, light whipped cream or fill it with a chocolate mousse filling as I have.

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Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe

If you need to celebrate with a gluten-free chocolate cake, then this is it! Rich, and moist, yet light and airy this decadent flourless chocolate cake is decorated with a rich bakery style chocolate frosting. A surprisingly simple and easy recipe that looks impressive. Perfect for any occasion. 

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Fruit flavored cake recipes

Raspberry White Chocolate Cake

Tart raspberries and sweet white chocolate are an amazing combination. This Raspberry white chocolate cake is made with raspberry cake layers and white chocolate buttercream.

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Pina Colada Cake, Pineapple Coconut Cake

This pina colada cake brings your favorite cocktail to life. With crushed pineapple and coconut in both the rum-flavored cake and the filling, this is truly a celebration of tropical flavors.

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Mango Cake Recipe

Give your next layer cake a seasoned flavor with this fresh mango cake. Made with moist layers of mango sponge filled with sweet mango puree, and frosted with mango Swiss meringue buttercream. Of course, topped with slices of fresh mangoes for that ultimate finish.

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Zesty Lemon Cake with Lemon Swiss Meringue Buttercream

This light and refreshing butter-based zesty lemon cake is surprisingly easy and simple to make. Takes no more than 10 minutes to mix and 25 minutes to bake. Frosted with lemon flavored Swiss meringue buttercream and some pretty yellow ruffles. Ideal for a weeknight dessert with a lighter cream cheese frosting or can be made into a celebration cake for a birthday, anniversary or wedding with fondant and more. 

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Best Orange Cake with Orange Swiss Meringue Buttercream

This light and airy butter-based orange cake made with fresh orange juice is surprisingly simple and easy to make with just 10 minutes to mix and 25 minutes to bake. Filled and frosted with an orange flavored Swiss meringue buttercream this cake makes for a perfect dessert or celebration cake any time of the year. Try my homemade orange curd for an exotic filling or frost with cream cheese for a more decadent and light affair.  

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Moist Strawberry Cake

This moist strawberry cake is an oil-based cake, deliciously moist with a tender crumb. Frosted with my popular velvet American buttercream this can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries.

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Fresh Strawberry Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Packed with real strawberry flavor this butter-based fresh strawberry cake is moist, light and airy. Frosted with Swiss meringue buttercream this cake is perfect at any time of the year using fresh or frozen strawberries. Make it for the weekend or to celebrate a special occasion.

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Strawberry Cream Cake with fresh strawberries

Strawberry and cream is always a classic combination, which makes this strawberry cream cake the perfect dessert in summer or strawberry season. A light sponge cake made from scratch, filled with fresh seasonal strawberries and cream, and frosted with more whipped cream. A rich, yet light and refreshing cake perfect for the weekend, a special occasion or celebration.

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Red velvet cake recipes

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This rich, moist red velvet cake has a hint of cocoa and deep rich red color. An oil-based cake baked from scratch using buttermilk with baking soda, making it extra light and airy. A simple and easy recipe frosted with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting.

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Best Red Velvet Cake with Italian Meringue Buttercream

This is probably the best red velvet cake you will ever taste. Moist, light and fluffy with just the right amount of acidity and hint of chocolate. A simple butter-based recipe that's surprisingly easy to mix in less than 10 minutes. Frost it with cream cheese for a classic red velvet affair or try my exotic homemade Italian meringue buttercream that takes this cake to a whole new level. 

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Carrot cake recipes

Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Delicious moist carrot cake baked from scratch with crisp walnuts and sweet raisins, layered with rich delicious cream cheese frosting. A simple, easy and effortless one bowl recipe that you will enjoy making over and over again. Delicious on its own as a tea time snack or dressed for any celebration with my luscious cream cheese frosting to create an exotic dessert.

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Best Carrot Cake with Apricot Swiss Meringue Buttercream

A wonderfully moist yet surprisingly easy carrot cake recipe you will enjoy making over and over again. This is the ultimate best carrot cake filling with wonderful apricot Swiss meringue buttercream and frosted with more meringue ruffles for a celebration cake. Delicious on its own with . or without frosting, this cake is perfect any time of the year. 

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Other flavors

BEST Coconut Cake Recipe

Coconut is such a versatile flavor and can be used in savory or sweet dishes. This simple, easy and effortless coconut cake recipe makes a delicious cake from scratch that you can whip in five minutes. It tastes great unfrosted as a coffee cake, served with whipped cream for a light dessert or some decadent buttercream for a more indulgent treat or celebration cake. 

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Caramel Apple Cake Recipe with Caramel Buttercream

Celebrate the apple season with this caramel apple cake. Made with fresh apples, a hint of spice, layered with caramel buttercream and drizzled with more delicious homemade caramel sauce. Whether you make this for a celebration or festive dinner this will have everyone talking about it for days.

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Best EVER Butterscotch Cake

Butterscotch has a distinct rich flavor that's hard to resist.  This simple and easy recipe makes the most decadent butterscotch cake with a moist texture and a soft crumb. Frosted with Swiss meringue buttercream and a butterscotch drip.

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Classic Gingerbread Cake Recipe

This holiday season place this classic gingerbread cake at the center of the dessert table. It's a perfect cake to serve during the fall and winter months. Infused with warm gingerbread spice and the rich flavor of molasses. Sweet vanilla buttercream between layers and a light chocolate ganache frosting makes an elegant presentation to impress guests or serve as a celebration cake.

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Cadbury Creme Egg Cake

Make a special cake this Easter with this Cadbury creme eggs cake. These chocolate eggs are in the cake, between layers, and also on top. Perfect to celebrate Easter, a special occasion, or a birthday for a chocolate egg fan.

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Pumpkin cake recipes

Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Cream Buttercream

This pumpkin cake is a pure luxury made with whipping cream in the batter as well as in the buttercream. A light and airy butter-based cake with brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice mix. Perfect layer cake to adorn a festive dinner table and impress family and friends.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake with Maple Buttercream Frosting

The rich flavor of pumpkin spice latte beverage in a cake makes it a pumpkin spice-latte cake. Combined with a maple buttercream frosting this cake is a perfect fall dessert. Oil-based cake batter makes for a light and airy cake infused with pumpkin spice mix, coffee, and maple syrup. 

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Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Celebrate this holiday season with this pumpkin spice cake and a delicious no-butter cream cheese frosting that just melts in your mouth. A rich butter-based cake infused with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Perfect to celebrate a festive dinner with family and friends. Top it with fondant pumpkins and make this the center of your next celebration event.

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Coffee & tea flavored cakes

Earl Grey Cake with Italian Meringue Buttercream

Know anyone who loves tea? I have the perfect cake for that tea lover in your life. This Earl Grey cake has just the right balance of tea and citrusy bergamot essence which makes this unique blend of flavor. Delicious on its own or frosted with my homemade Italian meringue buttercream this cake is perfect to serve as a weekend dessert or to celebrate a special milestone such as a birthday, anniversary or wedding. 

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Chai Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Bring your favorite chai latte beverage to your cake with this chai cake. A light and fluffy vanilla cake batter infused with perfectly balanced chai spice mix and freshly prepared tea. Accompanied by vanilla buttercream frosting to enhance and preserve the chai flavors. The recipe is surprisingly simple and easy to make too.

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Vanilla Cafe Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream

Add your favorite vanilla cafe latte beverage to cake and make this cafe latte cake. And to enhance the coffee flavor, even more, frost it with coffee buttercream. This cake is a coffee lovers cake using light and airy vanilla based cake that simple and easy to make. The cake takes only 35 minutes to bake, and the coffee frosting takes as little as five minutes to whip. Layer cakes don't get easier than that. Do they?

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Espresso Cake with Whipped Chocolate Ganache

This is the ultimate espresso cake. Moist, rich vanilla cake layers infused with espresso and frosted with a light and fluffy whipped espresso chocolate ganache. Perfect for weekend dessert, entertaining with friends or as a celebration cake. A surprisingly simple and easy recipe with everything you can make ahead of time so you don't have to rush. 

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Here are some cake recipes I contributed to my other website on Cake Decorating Tutorials

Classic Chocolate Sponge Cake Recipe

A chocolate sponge cake is a must-have recipe on hand for any cake decorator. Can be used for celebration cakes, sculpted cake for carving, and wedding cake

The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipes

A good chocolate cake recipe in your collection is a must-have. Whether you like it simple, moist, dense or indulgent there is one recipe that perfect for everyone. Try a classic recipe or a new variation on the classic there is bound to be one that’s just right for you.

Classic Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe

A vanilla sponge cake is a must-have recipe for any cake decorator. This simple and easy sponge cake can be used for celebration, novelty and wedding cakes

Vanilla Cake Recipe

This Vanilla cake is always a classic and best cake you will ever make. No matter how many other cakes you try you will come back to this moist vanilla cake

Frequently asked questions

How do I make my cakes cost-effective?

Some cake decorators tell me that my cake recipes are great, but they are not cost-effective. And, as a business, they want to make money. However, that's not how I work.

I'm in the business of providing my customers great value and memorable moments. Therefore, I give my customers what I give my family: Rich, decadent and indulgent desserts. Like they are supposed to be. In addition, there is a time for low-fat and there is a place for a diet. So, when it comes to my customers they get the best. Therefore, unless a customer specifically orders something else, I will make them my standard cakes. 

First, I make great cakes. Then, I calculate the cost and set the price. And, yes, it makes the cakes expensive. However, it also brings the right customers to me. And, brings them back for more cakes. Most important, I am proud of my cakes and I want to make them for customers who appreciate good quality, not low cost. 

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