Birthday cake recipes: 20 of the best (2024)

This light and airy genoise sponge cake is the perfect celebratory treat. The cream and fresh raspberries make it a real crowd pleaser.

Try this geonise sponge cake recipe

This indulgent and utterly delicious cake from the Hummingbird Bakery just has to be tried. Salted caramel is a classic flavour, and mixed into chocolate makes an amazing cake that is well worth the time spent in the kitchen.

Try the Hummingbird Bakery’s chocolate cake recipe

This impressive cake is a perfect for a birthday or celebration. It takes a little extra effort but is well worth it for the wow factor.

Try this rose petal cake recipe

Who can resist a slice of homemade chocolate cake, especially one generously filled with white chocolate cream and loads of fresh raspberries? Add candles for the perfect centre piece to any birthday celebration.

Try this raspberry and double chocolate cake recipe

The fresh taste of elderflower and zesty touch of lemon makes this pretty birthday cake perfect for an afternoon tea celebration.

Try this Elderflower and lemon layer cake recipe

Jazz up a simple vanilla birthday cake with this beautiful recipe. Serve at children’s and adult birthday parties for the perfect centre piece.

Try this triple layer vanilla ruffle cake recipe

Everyone will love this deliciously indulgent chocolate cake. With a light, soft sponge, and creamy filling, it’s the perfect birthday cake for children’s parties or to take into the office to celebrate with colleagues.

Try this Tana Ramsay's chocolate fudge cake recipe

Capture the taste of summer with this impressive birthday cake. Delicious and easy to make, it will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Try this Summer birthday cake recipe

This beautiful birthday cake, with its tasty rose scent, is the perfect birthday cake for grown-ups. It can even be made the day before and wrapped in foil over night, making it easy to transport.

Try this pistachio and rosewater cake recipe

Some might be fancier but no cake beats the simple perfection of a Victoria sandwich. Easy to make, this tasty treat is ideal for children’s birthday parties or for afternoon tea.

Try this Victoria sandwich recipe

Rich and sticky, this chocolate torte is sure to become a birthday dinner party favourite.

Try Lisa Faulkner's chocolate and walnut torte recipe

This fresh fruit gateau, with its lovely light texture, is very impressive and will make the ultimate birthday cake to celebrate the big day.

Try Eric Lanlard’s plain Genoise sponge recipe

This is the ultimate celebration cake. The extra effort to make it is well worth the delicious results - rich, moist and highly fragrant, it will go down a treat. Serve up at a birthday or party to turn some heads.

Try Rachel Allen’s almond brittle cake recipe

This large cake makes a great birthday cake and is perfect for feeding a crowd. If there’s any left after a party, enjoy a slice with a cup of tea.

Try this orange buttercream torte recipe

This elegant and citrusy torte makes a lovely birthday cake but is light enough to be served as dessert at a dinner party, too.

Try this rose and almond cake recipe

This type of decoration is perfect for birthday or other occasion cakes; once you get the hang of piping, the rest will easily follow. You can decorate any cake with it but it goes wonderfully with a summer carrot cake.

Try this raspberry and vanilla cake recipe

An incredibly impressive, layered cake with sweet rose syrup, sharp raspberry mousse and rose butter cream sandwiched with soft, light sponge levels. The result is a beautiful, light pink cake, perfect for birthdays.

Try this chocolate fan cake recipe

This decadent cake will make an impressive centrepiece for a celebration cake or a beautiful birthday cake for a loved one.

Try this carrot meringue cake recipe

Soft carrot sponge surrounded by a delicious meringue coating, this cake sounds naughty but contains no butter and the meringue icing is fat-free. A guilt-free birthday cake.

Try this red wine velvet cake recipe

Light, indulgent, and deliciously chocolaty, this beautifully cake makes a great grown-up birthday cake, as the wine does not fully bake out.

Try Mary Berry's chocolate cake recipe