20 Cakes to Make When Your Cupboards Are Bare
Updated: Mar. 23, 2021Craving cake but don't have a lot in the pantry? No problem! These easy cake recipes can be made with just a short list of ingredients.
7 Up Pound Cake
“My grandmother gave me this 7 Up pound cake recipe. On top of being delicious, this 7 Up cake represents family tradition, connection and love.” —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California
Get the recipe for 7 Up Pound Cake.
Dream Cupcakes
“My grandchildren love these cream-filled cupcakes. They’re a special treat yet easy to make. And they keep nicely in the refrigerator.” —Dorothy Bahlmann, Clarksville, Iowa
Get the recipe for Dream Cupcakes.
Cherry Pudding Cake
“A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbour shared the recipe over 30 years ago.” —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Get the recipe for Cherry Pudding Cake.
Hazelnut Cake Squares
“When one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, they ask me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn’t need icing, so it is great for bake sales, too.” —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Get the recipe for Hazelnut Cake Squares.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake
“I’ve tried different variations of these cakes for my family and this chocolate peanut butter mug cake is a winner! I have made it with almond milk and melted coconut oil, and both ways are delicious!” —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Get the recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake.
Chocolate Pound Cake
“You’ll find this cake is good with ice cream, but it’s also delicate enough that you can serve small pieces for a tea.” —Ann Perry, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Get the recipe for Chocolate Pound Cake.
Blueberry-Lemon Upside-Down Cake
“I was young when I married, so I watched my mother-in-law to learn baking. This cake with fresh blueberries is one of her beauties.” —Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan
Get the recipe for Blueberry-Lemon Upside-Down Cake.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
“When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people asking if I’m bringing this chocolate peanut butter poke cake. If you don’t have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons of baking cocoa.” —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Get the recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake.
Easy Pistachio Tube Cake
“Mixes make this light cake easy, and a fluted tube pan gets it holiday party-ready. Go for the pistachios on top—the extra crunch is worth it.” —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Get the recipe for Easy Pistachio Tube Cake.
Banana Chip Cake
“This is my version of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey Ice Cream (my favourite!) in a cake. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool.” —Barbara Pryor, Milford, Massachusetts
Get the recipe for Banana Chip Cake.
Root Beer Float Cake
“I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear!” —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
Get the recipe for Root Beer Float Cake.
Orange-Lemon Cake
“Family and friends will love this moist cake’s refreshing citrus taste and its pretty presentation.” —Ann Robinson, Bloomington, Indiana
Get the recipe for Orange-Lemon Cake.
Yellow Cupcakes
“Nothing is better than homemade cupcakes. They are so delicious and fluffy. Choose whatever frosting you want to top these treats.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Get the recipe for Yellow Cupcakes.
Classic Chocolate Cake
“If you need to learn how to make chocolate cake from scratch, this easy homemade chocolate cake recipe is a perfect place to start. It appeared on a can of Hershey’s Cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it and I’ve been making it ever since.” —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California
Get the recipe for Classic Chocolate Cake.
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
“This dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too.” —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Get the recipe for Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake.
Lemon Sheet Cake
“Lemon pie filling lends a splash of citrus flavor to convenient cake mix, and a rich cream cheese frosting gives it sweetness. My family likes this lemon sheet cake cold, so I cut it into squares and freeze before serving.” —Alyce Dubisar, North Bend, Oregon
Get the recipe for Lemon Sheet Cake.
Sour Cream Pound Cake
“Because I’m our town’s postmaster, I can bake only in my spare time. When I do, I especially like this sour cream cake recipe. This one tastes great as is, or tucked under ice cream and chocolate syrup like a hot fudge sundae!” —Karen Conrad, East Troy, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Sour Cream Pound Cake.
Cocoa Cake
“THIS CAKE is so moist it doesn’t need frosting. I simply sprinkle powdered sugar over the top. It’s my favourite dessert to bring for potlucks, and there’s never a piece left to take home!” —Beulah Sak, Fairport, New York
Get the recipe for Cocoa Cake.
Cherry Dream Cake
“I serve this cherry cake for holidays because it’s so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix!” —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Get the recipe for Cherry Dream Cake.
Contest-Winning Moist Chocolate Cake
“You don’t have to spend a lot of time to serve an elegant and delicious dessert. Just mix up the batter in one bowl, bake and get ready for people to love this chocolate bundt cake.” —Christa Hageman, Telford, Pennsylvania
Get the recipe for Contest-Winning Moist Chocolate Cake.
Next, check out these 30 desserts that start with cake mix.
