13 Mini Cakes That Prove Good Things Come In Small Packages

Easy to serve, adorable mini cake recipes

Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes
Photo:

Alison Miksch

We've all been there: You're hosting Thanksgiving, a birthday party, or supper club. It's time for dessert, and you can't wait to dig into that big-batch sheet cake, elegant layered confection, or intricate Bundt creation. But because you're a gracious host, you stand at the sideboard and slice, slice, slice away for each guest until there's none left. The kids who complained that their sibling got a bigger piece were no help, either. Now you have to smile for everyone as you eat the store-bought cookies you bought as a backup dessert. But what if there was an easier way? What if there was a way every guest could get an equal serving of cake (including you)? With these mini cake recipes, there's no sharing required. Not only are these recipes the easiest way to serve (goodbye uneven slices!), but they're absolutely adorable! Individual cakes are also a smarter choice if you're aiming for the cleanest dessert experience. With recipes like carrot cake, red velvet cake, apple cider pound cake, and even firecracker cake, there are mini cake recipes for every holiday and season. Not to mention, decorating a mini cake is so much quicker and simpler than its larger counterpart. So make your next Friday night family dinner a special occasion—these tiny cakes make a big impact.

01 of 13

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Photographer: Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Erin Merhar; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

Instead of standing by to slice dessert for each family member this Thanksgiving, serve these festive mini cheesecakes.

02 of 13

Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze

Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

It wouldn't be Easter without carrot cake, and these pretty little Bundts are our new favorite way to serve it. Instead of decorating an intricate layer cake, all you have to do is drizzle our tangy glaze on top.

03 of 13

Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes

Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes
Southern Living

Make the most of abundant fresh summer blueberries with these adorable cakes you can prep the night before and pop in the refrigerator.

04 of 13

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Mini Red Velvet Cakes
Southern Living

Instead of classic cream cheese frosting, our Test Kitchen upped the ante with fluffy Mascarpone. For a holiday gathering, garnish these mini cakes with fresh whipped cream, berries, and mint.

05 of 13

Praline Mini Cakes

Praline Mini Cakes
Southern Living

With chopped pecans and toffee bits in the batter and homemade brown sugar icing on top, no one will know this decadent recipe starts with a box of cake mix.

06 of 13

Mini Confetti Cake

Mini Confetti Cakes
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Instead of frosting such tiny cakes, we topped these with homemade whipped cream and assorted edible flowers for a smooth, beautiful finish.

07 of 13

Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

Pack all the fall flavors and spices you crave into tiny loaf pans to share with your friends and neighbors. Leave them as-is or top with one of three delicious glaze recipes.

08 of 13

Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes
Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Take one of your favorite drink orders to the dessert table with this cute recipe that's ready for anything from the tailgate to Tuesday's game night. Top these mini Bundt cakes with a simple Bourbon-Cola Glaze and shaved chocolate.

09 of 13

Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream

Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream
Greg DuPree

Perfect for a bridal shower or luncheon with the girls, these gorgeous little cakes start with a sheet cake that's brushed with a tangy lime syrup and end with dainty garnishes like white chocolate curls, pearl sprinkles, and fresh berries.

10 of 13

Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes
Photo: Alison Miksch

Our Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake is one of our most popular cake recipes of all time, so it's no wonder we made it into a miniature recipe for each guest to enjoy a personal cake.

11 of 13

Molten Red Velvet Mini Cakes

Molten Red Velvet Cakes, red velvet cake recipe
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

Sharing dessert is overrated. Enjoy a single-serving of gooey chocolate molten red velvet cake with a whipped cream frosting.

12 of 13

Petite Blueberry Cheesecake

Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes

As pretty as petits fours, these luscious little two-bite gems can be finished with any kind of berry or preserves.

13 of 13

Grand Marnier Cakes

Grand Marnier Cakes
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

This recipe reflects the Southern practice of adding a bit of liqueur or other spirits to a cake to ensure it stays moist and delicious. The orange liqueur glaze gives the simple orange pound cake an explosion of flavor.

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