87 Best Birthday Cake Recipes Made for Celebrations

Recipe: Confetti Cake with Vanilla-Sour Cream Frosting

Confetti cake mix and plenty of sprinkles make this easy cake fit for a celebration.

Recipe: Pink Champagne Cake

You'll find champagne in both the cake layers and the icing of this recipe. Freeze-dried strawberries give it a pretty pink color.

Recipe: Devil's Food Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting and Ganache

Even though we took a shortcut by using boxed cake mix for this recipe, we made up for it with a homemade ganache and salted peanut butter frosting.

Recipe: Caramel Italian Cream Cake

We use brown sugar as a shortcut to give this cake a caramel-flavored frosting without the need to use a candy thermometer. 

Recipe: Lemon Cake with Lemon-Thyme Frosting

If the guest of honor prefers citrus flavor over chocolate or vanilla, this layer cake will bring plenty of color and flavor to the birthday celebration.

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

For many, there's nothing as nostalgic for a birthday than a chocolate chip cookie cake. Instead of ordering one this year, make your loved one their childhood favorite from scratch.

Recipe: Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

These festive treats are the cutest way to celebrate a birthday.

Recipe: Strawberry Birthday Cake

This layer cake combines delicious homemade elements like strawberry compote and cream cheese frosting.

Recipe: Classic Birthday Cake

The flavor of confetti cake simply has no rival, and a sheet cake makes it easy to bake and take.

Recipe: White Cake with Berry-Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting

Homemade Swiss meringue buttercream is the star of this recipe and gives the cake a beautiful pink finish that resembles a rose.

Recipe: Yellow Cake with Malted Chocolate Buttercream

Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is a classic combination that is loved by both kids and adults.

Recipe: Cookies and Cream Cake

This cake is a great option for celebrating cookie lovers.

Recipe: Chocolate Chiffon Cake

Inverting this cake while it cools is the secret to its delicate texture. 

Recipe: Lemon-Cheese Layer Cake

This eight-layer cake requires a little extra time, but it's worth it for a special celebration.

Recipe: Red Velvet Cake with White Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting

Homemade cream cheese frosting is just the upgrade boxed cake mix needs.

Recipe: Triple-Layer Chocolate-Caramel Cake

Make the frosting for this three-layer beauty a day in advance for easier spreading.

Recipe: Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting

Pretty in pink, these cupcakes prove everything is better with a splash of Southern-favorite Cheerwine soda.

Recipe: Lemon-Coconut Cake

Get the best of both lemon cake and coconut cake in one with this delicious recipe. 

Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

There's nothing better than a no-cook dessert that you can make ahead.

Recipe: Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream

Use your biscuit-cutter for the prettiest mini layer cakes your crowd has ever seen.

Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake

With Oreos included in the crust, filling, and topping, this cheesecake recipe doesn't skimp on your favorite cookie's flavor.

Recipe: Key Lime Icebox Cake

If your birthday honoree's favorite dessert is Key Lime Pie, make it big-batch with this no-bake cake recipe.

Recipe: Coca Cola Chocolate Cake

Southerners know a bit of soda is the secret to the fluffiest desserts.

Recipe: Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

This pretty-in-pink cake is one of our most popular sheet cake recipes of all time.

Recipe: Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake

Southern-favorite pound cake and caramel cake meet in this recipe that readers have fallen in love with.

Recipe: Luscious Lemon Cake

If you have a lemon-lover to celebrate, it doesn't get more classic than this layer cake you can decorate however you please.

Recipe: Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake with Strawberry-Sour Cream Buttercream

This simple but colorful sheet cake will bring the fun to the party.

Recipe: Coconut Chiffon Cake

No cake is more worthy of a celebration than this elegant vintage confection.

Recipe: Heavenly Angel Food Cake

There's nothing more divine than a fluffy, light-as-air slice of angel food cake.

Recipe: Reese's Cake

If your birthday boy or girl can't resist a Reese's at the checkout line, this beyond-decadent Bundt cake will seem too good to be true.

Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

Dive into refreshing layers of strawberry-lemonade cake that's perfect for a springtime birthday.

Recipe: Homemade Yellow Cake

Picky eater? Make our homemade yellow cake from scratch and top it with his or her favorite frosting recipe.

Recipe: Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges

Get all the flavor of the classic Hummingbird Cake you love in big-batch form that everyone at the party can enjoy.

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream

What's better than fudge cake? Fudge cake topped with chocolate ganache and fluffy caramel buttercream.

Recipe: Praline Cake

Pralines are an all-time favorite Southern dessert, but they can be tricky to make for beginner bakers. Nail the praline flavor with this party-ready cake.

Recipe: Classic Southern Pound Cake

As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and that's how we feel about this ultimate pound cake recipe.

Recipe: Banana Pudding Poke Cake

If you didn't think your favorite banana pudding could get better, try this cake on for size.

Recipe: Mini Confetti Cakes

These Instagram-worthy tiny cakes are easier to make than they look.

Recipe: Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake

Dietary restrictions are no match for this dairy-free, gluten-free stunner of a cake.

Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cake

This elegant layer cake is made with cream cheese-raspberry frosting made with fresh raspberries.

Recipe: Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake

This soft vanilla cake with toasted pecans and toffee bits is topped with a brown butter-toffee frosting and all we have to say is, "Wow."

Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Cake

This no-bake icebox cake is a nostalgic treat your guests will love.

Recipe: Lane Cupcakes

Famed vintage Lane Cake gets personal-portion treatment in this cute cupcake recipe.

Recipe: Brown Sugar-Rum Cake

If rum is the birthday girl or guy's choice drink, this tender sheet cake is a must-bake.

Recipe: Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

This bright cheesecake recipe has been a reader-favorite for years.

Recipe: Chocolate Mousse Cake

This ultra-rich chocolate cake is delicious served with fresh berries and a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

Recipe: Coconut Cream Cake

Toasted coconut shavings make a pretty but easy topping for a classic coconut cake.

Recipe: Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Banana pudding and cheesecake make a beautiful couple in this dessert recipe.

Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Cake

This layer cake captures all the flavor you love about chocolate-covered strawberries.

Recipe: Margarita Cake

Gathering for a birthday fiesta? Raise a glass to this spirited cake recipe.

Recipe: Devil's Food Cake

When it comes to chocolate, you don't need a fancy recipe. This basic, decadent chocolate cake fits the bill perfectly.

Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

You won't find a single artificial flavor in these beautiful cupcakes made with fresh spring strawberries.

Recipe: Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake

There's no dessert more fitting for a summer birthday party than a cool, colorful ice-cream cake.

Recipe: Caramel Cake

Some guests don't like citrus desserts, others chocolate, but everyone can agree on loving caramel cake.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake

This fudgy sheet cake is topped with marshmallows for a festive finish.

Recipe: Lemon Sherbet Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

These pastel cupcakes were made for spring parties.

Recipe: Toasted Almond Butter Cake

No nut allergies in your family? Try out this buttery cake with cream cheese frosting.

Recipe: Chocolate Bundt Cake

This creatively easy cake mixes boxed cake and brownie mixes for the most decadent result.

Recipe: Strawberry Dream Cake

Cutting into this cake to find a layer of fresh strawberries is a true springtime dream.

Recipe: Praline Mini Cakes

No sharing is required when it comes to these toffee-filled and brown sugar icing-topped cakes.

Recipe: Football Cake

If you have a little one who loves all things football, this adorable cake is for your celebration. Even though it looks professional, all you need to create the football shape is a round cake pan.

Recipe: Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake

Would you believe this refreshing dessert comes together with just five ingredients? You better! It will bring you back to the days of the ice cream man visiting your neighborhood.

Recipe: Chocolate Marble Cake

This classic vanilla cake with chocolate swirls has the best of both worlds. Our Test Kitchen recommends using a kitchen scale or measuring cups for the batter to ensure your layers are the same size.

Recipe: Cherries-and-Cream Icebox Cake

Since this pretty confection needs time to chill in the fridge, it's the ultimate make-ahead dessert for summer birthday parties. It will be the cherry on top of a great day!

Recipe: Lemon-Lime Poke Cake

Lemon and lime slices not only make a precious summer garnish, but they also help the host get just the right slice size when serving.

Recipe: Watermelon Cake

We can't think of a cuter way to celebrate a summer birthday than with this festive watermelon cake studded with chocolate chip "seeds."

Recipe: Margarita Cupcakes

You don't have to choose between drinks and dessert with this fun cupcake recipe! These are the perfect way to finish off a taco Tuesday birthday party.

Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Cake

Skip the food coloring and serve a fluffy frosting with the natural hue of puréed blueberries for your spring birthday celebration.