13 Mini Cakes That Prove Good Things Come In Small Packages
We've all been there: You're hosting Thanksgiving, the 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 this mini cake recipes, there's no sharing required. Not only are these mini cake 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.
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Instead of standing by to slice dessert for each family member this Thanksgiving, serve these festive mini cheesecakes.
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Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze
Recipe: Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze
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.
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Almond-Coconut Mini Cakes
Recipe: Almond-Coconut Mini Cakes
How gorgeous are these?! These rich chocolate cakes are garnished with flaked coconut, chopped almonds, and a sweet almond glaze.
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Blueberry Mini Cheesecakes
Recipe: Blueberry Mini Cheesecakes
Make the most of abundant fresh summer blueberries with these adorable cakes you can prep the night before and pop in the refrigerator.
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Mini Red Velvet Cakes
Recipe: Mini Red Velvet Cakes
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.
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Praline Mini Cakes
Recipe: Praline Mini Cakes
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.
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Mini Confetti Cake
Recipe: Mini Confetti Cake
Instead of frosting such tiny cakes, we topped these with homemade whipped cream and assorted edible flowers for a smooth, beautiful finish.
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Buttermilk-Glazed Mini Fig Cakes with Vanilla Hard Sauce
Recipe: Buttermilk-Glazed Mini Fig Cakes with Vanilla Hard Sauce
You don't need a specialty pan for this pretty dessert—simply use your muffin tin! Topped with a glaze and a sauce, these tiny treats have so much flavor.
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Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes
Recipe: 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.
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Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes
Recipe: Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes
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.
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Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream
Recipe: Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream
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.
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Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes
Recipe: Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes
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.
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Mini Firecracker Cakes
Recipe: Mini Firecracker Cakes
With an "exploding" Pop Rock center, this festive Fourth of July dessert is as fun to eat as it is to make. Plus, you only need a few store-bought ingredients.