Baked from scratch

Timeless cakes, golden crusts & frostings worth licking the bowl for

Step-by-step recipes for the classics you crave — from a caramel pineapple upside-down cake to a festive Mardi Gras king cake and buttery Russian tea cakes.

180+Tested recipes
Step by stepPhotos for every bake
FreePrint & save
Reader Favorites

The cakes everyone asks for

Show-stopping classics and cozy bakes, each tested until it works the first time. Pick one and get baking today.

Most loved

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

The all-time classic: caramelized pineapple rings and cherries over a tender, buttery crumb. Our foolproof pineapple upside-down cake flips out perfectly every time.

◷ 55 min♨ Easy◍ 9-inch
Festive

Mardi Gras King Cake

A braided cinnamon brioche crowned in purple, green and gold sugar. This Mardi Gras king cake brings the Carnival to your kitchen — hidden baby included.

◷ 3 hr♨ Medium◍ Serves 12
2-in-1

Upside-Down Pineapple Bites

All the joy of upside-down pineapple in single-serve muffins. A quick weeknight twist on the classic that's ideal for lunchboxes and last-minute guests.

◷ 30 min♨ Easy◍ 12 bites
Cozy

Russian Tea Cakes

Melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies rolled twice in powdered sugar. These Russian tea cakes are buttery, nutty and made for the holiday cookie tin.

◷ 40 min♨ Easy◍ 24 cookies
Rich

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Dense, velvety and impossibly moist. This cream cheese pound cake bakes up with a golden crust and a soft, fine crumb that keeps for days.

◷ 1 hr 30♨ Easy◍ Bundt
Trending

Japanese Pancakes

Tall, jiggly and cloud-soft. These soufflé-style Japanese pancakes rise sky-high thanks to whipped meringue — a brunch showpiece that's easier than it looks.

◷ 35 min♨ Medium◍ Serves 2
Bake With Confidence

From bowl to celebration in three steps

Every recipe is written for real kitchens — clear measurements, make-ahead notes and the little tips that make the difference.

1

Gather & prep

Simple pantry ingredients and a printable shopping list — no hard-to-find items or special equipment.

2

Mix & bake

Follow step-by-step photos and exact times, whether it's an upside-down pineapple cake or a soufflé pancake.

3

Frost & serve

Finish with the perfect cream cheese frosting and plate a cake worth every "how did you make this?"

Pineapple upside-down cake dusted with powdered sugar
Cream Cheese FrostingSilky, tangy & pipeable
Frosting Guide

The only frostings you'll ever need

Master a handful of foolproof frostings and you can finish any bake in minutes — smooth, stable and never too sweet.

  • Cream cheese frosting for carrot cake

    Tangy, thick and pipeable — the classic pairing for spiced carrot cake.

  • Whipped bakery buttercream

    Light, glossy and crust-free — the finish behind Porto's-style cakes.

  • Caramel & glaze finishes

    Pour-over glazes for pound cakes and upside-down classics.

See all frostings
Bakery-Style at Home

Recreate the bakery counter

Love a certain bakery? We reverse-engineer the favorites so you can make them in your own kitchen.

Copycat

Porto's-Style Cakes

Dreaming of that famous chilled chiffon and dulce de leche? Our Porto's cakes copycats bring the beloved bakery's textures and flavors home.

◷ 2 hr♨ Medium◍ Serves 10
Essential

Carrot Cake & Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist, spiced layers under a swirl of the perfect cream cheese frosting for carrot cake. The birthday-worthy classic, made simple.

◷ 1 hr 10♨ Easy◍ 2 layers
Seasonal

King Cake, Two Ways

Traditional brioche or a quick cinnamon-roll shortcut — both crowned in Carnival colors. Everything you need for the perfect Mardi Gras king cake.

◷ 1–3 hr♨ Easy–Med◍ Serves 12

What are you baking this weekend?

Get the full recipe collection — pineapple upside-down cake, king cake, pound cakes and more — free to save and print.

Browse All Recipes
Baker's Tips

Frequently asked questions

Why did my pineapple upside-down cake stick to the pan?+

Flip it while it's still warm — about 5 minutes out of the oven. Any longer and the caramel sets and grips the pan. Our pineapple upside-down cake recipe walks through the exact timing so the topping releases cleanly.

What makes cream cheese frosting thick enough to pipe?+

Use full-fat block cream cheese (not spreadable), cold butter beaten just until smooth, and add powdered sugar gradually. That's the secret to a cream cheese frosting for carrot cake that holds its swirl.

Can I make the Mardi Gras king cake ahead of time?+

Yes. Bake the king cake a day ahead, then glaze and add the colored sugar just before serving so the topping stays vibrant and the brioche stays soft.

How do I get my Japanese pancakes to stay tall?+

Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks, fold gently, and cook low and slow with a lid. Keeping steam in the pan is what lets soufflé-style Japanese pancakes rise and hold their height.