Start preheating the oven.
Molly Bolton
Not everyone is a baker.
(At least not yet.)

Credit:Molly Bolton
While cooking is an everyday activity, baking typically is not.
This is especially true withcakes.
We’ve collected some of our favorite beginner cake recipes to get yourbaking journeyoff on the right foot.

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Combined, they taste like a cake version of a s’mores.
Two-Ingredient Pumpkin Snack Cake
It doesn’t get any easier than a two-ingredient cake.
Yes, one of the ingredients is a cake mix, but no one will be able to tell.

Credit:Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
New Neighbor Cake
Welcome newcomers to the neighborhood with this easy but delicious cake.
And if the frosting on top looks a little rustic, there’s nothing rainbow sprinkles can’t fix.
Eclair Cake
Ease into baking with a no-bake project like this cake.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This recipe also doesn’t require a mixer, and can be whisked together in a flash.
Applesauce Cake
Bakers of all levels will enjoy this one-bowl cake.
Lemon Loaf Cake
You likely recognize this loaf cake from a big name coffee chain.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It also happens to be a pretty foolproof formula.
The base of the cake uses store-bought ladyfingers, and the mascarpone filling comes together quickly with a mixer.
Despite being super easy to make, it’s sure to wow guests with its vibrant color and flavor.

Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Banana Snack Cake
Snack cakes were made for beginners bakers.
These single layer cakes that use simple mixing methods come together quickly and easily, making them ultra user-friendly.
Chocolate Icebox Cake
Icebox cakes are another classic cake designed for beginners.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Mixes are a great place for beginner bakers to start as they are designed to be pretty foolproof.

Credit:Molly Bolton

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Credit: Molly Bolton/Southern Living

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Credit:ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Keely

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Credit:Molly Bolton

Credit:Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Credit:Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox