11 Easy Cakes You Can’t Mess Up

These easy cake recipes use simple ingredients and foolproof methods that deliver delicious results every single time. From delicious cakes that literally require dumping ingredients into a baking pan to no-bake options that skip the oven entirely, you’ll find recipes that never fail.

Whether you’re hosting a last-minute gathering or just want something sweet without the stress, these cakes will become your go-to favorites, and they’re so easy to make that they’re impossible to mess up.

1. Black Forest Dump Cake

True to its name, this dump cake requires zero mixing or fancy techniques. Just layer everything in your pan and let the oven do all the hard work while you get that amazing cherry-chocolate combination everyone loves.

Get the Recipe: Black Forest Dump Cake

2. Butterfinger Poke Cake

Start with a basic cake mix, poke some holes, and pour in the good stuff. The beauty of poke cakes is that they’re nearly impossible to mess up and always come out moist.

Get the Recipe: Butterfinger Cake

3. Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

Loaf cakes are wonderfully forgiving since there’s no need for perfect layers or fancy decorating. This one-bowl recipe is simple to make and will get excellent reviews from everyone.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

4. Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

When you want an impressive dessert but don’t want to turn on the oven, this is your answer. Assembly takes just minutes, and the freezer does all the work while you relax.

Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

5. Bisquick Coffee Cake

Bisquick is a shortcut that makes this coffee cake foolproof. Mix everything right in your baking dish to save on cleanup, and you’ll have a tender cake with a tasty crunchy topping.

Get the Recipe: Bisquick Coffee Cake

6. Pineapple Sunshine Cake

Cake mix gets a tropical upgrade with canned pineapple that adds both flavor and moisture, so the cake will never turn out dry. Even if you accidentally overbake it slightly, the fruit keeps everything perfectly moist.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Sunshine Cake

7. Pumpkin Dump Cake

This dessert gives you all the warm spiced flavors of pumpkin pie without rolling out a single crust. Just mix the creamy filling, sprinkle the crumbly cake mix topping right over it, and let the oven work its magic while your kitchen fills with fall aromas.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake

8. Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

Poke cakes are beginner-friendly because the Jello soaks in and adds moisture wherever your cake might need it. It uses a boxed white cake mix, which is a time-saving shortcut and will help you cut down on the ingredients you need to mix together.

Get the Recipe: Jello Poke Cake

9. Lemon Ice Box Cake

No-bake layered desserts are practically impossible to mess up since there’s no risk of overbaking or sinking. Boxed lemon pudding mix and just four other ingredients make this one of the easiest cakes you’ll ever make.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Ice Box Cake

10. Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

This magical dessert creates its own fudge sauce while it bakes, giving you cake on top and gooey chocolate pudding underneath. You literally pour hot milk over the unbaked batter, and somehow the oven transforms it into the best chocolate cake.

Get the Recipe: Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

11. No-Bake Twinkie Cake

This easy cake recipe transforms store-bought Twinkies, layers of creamy pudding, fresh strawberries, and a fluffy whipped topping into a delicious dessert. It’s always a crowd pleaser!

Get the Recipe: Twinkie Cake