20 Cake Recipes That Are Perfect For A Party
From tall and tender to molten and mini, these utterly delicious cakes will feed a crowd.
Cake, with its many forms, flavours and flourishes, is often served to enhance a sense of joy.
In marking a milestone event, commemorating the end or beginning of an era or creating a sense of surprise, we enlist a celebratory centrepiece to bring a party together. It’s a great example of food fulfilling a symbolic meaning in our lives. It’s an emblem of love and care that we grasp at around a dining table.
You might consider the tastes of your guests before turning to the concoction in your mixing bowl. Will they enjoy a ganache-topped dark chocolate cake? Could they crave a decadent and swirly berry cheesecake? Or the lighter fare of sponge, cream and fresh fruit?
Whatever their preference, sweet, boozy, fudgy or fluffy, there’s a cake in this collection that will suit the occasion. Light your candles, pack your goody bags and queue a playlist — it’s time to dance the night away!
Mandarin and kiwifruit-filled sponge
This simple sponge recipe could be your new staple — just fill with seasonal fruit offerings, add a topping of whipped cream and sprinkle with icing sugar.
If your guests would prefer their own handy helping, these mini (and boozy) cakes will do the trick.
Polenta and lemon drizzle cake
This citrus-filled cake is bright and moreish. Top with a lemony syrup and a little yoghurt or cream.
A light dusting of icing sugar and a dollop of cream are the perfect finishing touches for this delicate and fruity cake (use tinned until plum season comes).
This breezy banana cake is a reliable option for birthdays. Desiccated coconut adds some welcome texture to the top.
This fruity and nutty cake is a textural masterpiece. It also keeps well in the fridge, so you can keep the party going.
This buzzy coffee cake, which also enjoys a hint of nutty flavours, will delight caffeine lovers (and drive more energetic conversation).
A melted centre is the secret to nailing these sweet and fluffy treats. They pair perfectly with super-tart fruit — think raspberries or boysenberries.
Semolina and almond syrup cake
This orangey cake is bright and sweet and is sure to make a dinner party a little more vibrant.
A luscious topping of icing and a couple of handfuls of seasonal fruit is a perfect topping for this fudgy, flourless cake.
Banana cake with caramel walnuts
This banana cake is topped with cream cheese icing and a handful of sweet and crunchy walnuts.
This plant-based cake will be delightful for everyone. It has a topping of fresh and zingy pineapple and an icing with savoury peanut flavours.
Chocolate whiskey cake with boozy ganache
With silky smooth textures and rich chocolatey flavours, this cake will have guests clamouring for seconds.
Peach and pistachio meringue cake
Lashings of mascarpone and decorative blueberry placement make this cake look just peachy.
White chocolate, ricotta and berry ripple cheesecake
Serve this picture-perfect swirly cheesecake in generous slices — with a side of fresh seasonal berries.
Jeff Koehler shares this recipe from The North African Cook Book, which enjoys the sweetness of apricot jam and a shortbread-like texture.
Wholesome no-bake chocolate cake
Skip the oven and beat the heat with this creamy chocolate dessert. Raw cashews, coconut cream and hefty helpings of good quality cocoa create a deep flavour and decadent texture in this no-bake cake.
Pistachio cake with mascarpone lemon curd
This lemony and nutty double-layer cake is honey-sweetened.
It’s a slightly different type of dessert — but a cake nonetheless. Enjoy the sticky and sweet flavour of this dessert, with melded-together malt biscuits and lollies.
Beetroot and rose truffle cake
This cake is ideal if you’re looking to take things to the next level. Beetroot adds a vibrant colour and a hint of earthy sweetness to the towering dessert.