Start preheating the oven.

Molly Bolton

Not everyone is a baker.

(At least not yet.)

Southern Living Strawberry Spoon Cake with a scoop of ice cream on top

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.

peanut butter molten chocolate cake with scoop of ice cream

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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.

Southern Living Berry Upside Down Cake sliced and ready to serve

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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.

Southern Living Blueberry Boy Bait sliced and ready to serve

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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.

Southern Living Graham Cracker Cake sliced on a plate to serve

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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.

Southern Living Chocolate Bundt Cake

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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.

Southern Living 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Snack Cake sliced and dusted with powdered sugar

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Mixes are a great place for beginner bakers to start as they are designed to be pretty foolproof.

New Neighbor Cake - Southern Living

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Southern Living Buttermilk Cake ready to serve

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Southern LIving Chocolate Sheet Cake sliced and ready to serve

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Eclair Cake

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Dr Pepper Texas Sheet Cake

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Southern Living Applesauce Cake sliced on plates to serve

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Southern Living Two Step Pound Cake sliced and ready to serve

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One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

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Southern Living Chocolate Cake with Spiced Chocolate Buttercream sliced on a plate to serve topped with chocolate curls

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Lemon Loaf Cake

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Southern Living Wacky Cake on blue plates to serve with glasses of milk

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Southern Living Hummingbird Sheet Cake

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Southern Living Pumpkin Bundt Cake on a cake plate to serve

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Southern Living Tiramisu two servings on plates with a small cup of coffee

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Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake

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Southern Living Banana Snack Cake sliced to serve

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Southern Living Any-Berry No-Bake Cheesecake sliced on a platter to serve

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Chocolate Poke Cake

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Chocolate Icebox Cake

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Southern Living Vanilla Mug Cake in the mug to serve with a bite taken out

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Southern Living Strawberry Dump Cake after baking ready to serve

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Southern Living Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake whole and ready to serve

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two slices of pineapple sunshine cake on plates with glasses of water

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