If you like easy, simple homemade cakes, this list is for you.
4 easy cake recipes, no mixer needed, and perfect with coffee.
Life can be complicated enough, we could all use some new easy cake recipes to try. Baking doesn’t always need to be a whole project. Most of the time, you just want something sweet to go with your coffee – without pulling out special equipment, weighing ten different bowls, or committing to a long afternoon in the kitchen.
These easy cake recipes are the kinds of cakes I actually make on repeat. They’re simple, reliable, and made with basic ingredients you probably already have at home. Everything comes together easily, mostly in one bowl, and without a mixer. The focus here isn’t on being impressive – it’s on cakes that turn out moist, flavorful, and comforting every single time.
Easy Cake Recipes That Fit Into a Busy Schedule
By the time the oven finishes preheating, the batter is usually already done. You mix everything in one bowl, pour it into the pan, and it goes straight into the oven. Most of these cakes don’t bake for long either, and cleanup is ridiculously fast – a quick rinse of the bowl and whisk and you’re done. It’s the kind of baking that feels completely manageable, even on a busy day, and always worth the short time it takes.
In this post, I’m sharing 4 easy cake recipes I come back to again and again. They’re all quick to make, very forgiving, and perfect for everyday baking – whether that’s a quiet morning, a coffee break, or just wanting something homemade without much planning.
Moist Banana Muffins with Peanut Butter Cups
These banana muffins are a great option when you want something familiar and comforting that you know will turn out well. They’re made with oil, which helps keep them soft, and a small amount of almond flour adds extra tenderness to the crumb. The method is simple and straightforward, with no complicated steps or special equipment involved.
I like finishing them with thin banana slices and chopped peanut butter cups on top. It adds a bit of interest without changing the classic banana muffin feel. They keep well, stay soft for days, and are just as good for breakfast as they are with an afternoon coffee.
Main ingredients:
Bananas, oil, eggs, white sugar, dark brown sugar, flour, almond flour, baking powder, peanut butter cups
Why this recipe works:
- Oil and almond flour help keep the muffins soft and moist
- Uses basic ingredients that are easy to keep on hand
- Easy to store in the fridge for quick breakfasts or coffee breaks
- Light, fluffy texture without being overly rich
- Peanut butter cups add something extra without overpowering the banana flavor
- The muffins stay moist even a day or two after baking
- A good way to use up ripe bananas
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Easy Coffee Cake
This coffee cake is one of those recipes that’s easy to come back to again and again. It’s quick to make, dependable, and based on flavors that don’t get old. The crumb is soft and moist, the sweetness is balanced, and the espresso swirl with chocolate chips gives it a little extra depth without turning it into something heavy.
It’s simple enough for everyday baking, but still feels like something you’d happily put on the table when people come over. The kind of cake that works just as well with a quiet cup of coffee as it does when you’re sharing it.
Main ingredients:
Eggs, sugar, oil, yogurt, flour, baking powder, espresso, cocoa or cinnamon (for the swirl)
Why this recipe works:
- Espresso adds a clear, well-defined coffee flavor
- Yogurt keeps the cake soft and moist, even after a day or two
- Made with basic ingredients you likely already have
- Comes together quickly, without much prep
- The chocolate swirl adds richness without overpowering the cake
- Works for any time of day, from morning coffee to dessert
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One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
This chocolate cake is a recipe I grew up with. It’s the one my mom used to make for birthdays, school events, or whenever we needed something sweet without much notice. It’s simple to put together, but it always feels comforting and familiar, the kind of cake that tastes like home.
What I love about it is how little it asks of you. A handful of basic ingredients, one bowl, and a few minutes of mixing turn into a soft, moist chocolate cake that never disappoints. It’s not flashy or overdone, just a solid, reliable recipe that works every time and fits easily into everyday baking.
Main ingredients:
Cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, eggs, sugar, oil, flour, baking powder, yogurt
Why this recipe works:
- Comes together quickly with minimal effort
- Very moist, with a soft texture throughout
- Made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
- Easy to adapt with toppings or mix-ins if you feel like changing it up
- Has a familiar, nostalgic flavor that both kids and adults enjoy
- Fills the kitchen with that classic chocolate cake smell while it bakes
👉 Get the full recipe
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Orange Loaf Cake
This orange loaf cake is one of those bakes that fills the house with the best smell while it’s in the oven. Warm citrus, fresh orange zest, and vanilla all at once – it’s the kind of aroma that already tells you the cake is going to be good before you even slice it.
The flavor is bright but balanced, not overly sweet, with the fresh zest and juice doing most of the work. Fresh orange juice keeps the cake light, while the instant vanilla pudding powder gives it a really soft, moist texture that stays that way for days. It’s simple to make, slices beautifully, and doesn’t need anything extra to feel complete.
Main ingredients:
Fresh orange juice and zest, oil, eggs, sugar, flour, almond flour, instant vanilla pudding powder, baking powder
Why this recipe works:
- Orange zest brings a deep, citrusy aroma and flavor
- Fresh juice keeps the cake light and well balanced
- Vanilla pudding powder gives the loaf a very moist, tender texture
- Simple ingredients and an easy method
- Stays soft and fragrant even a day or two after baking
Before You Choose One of These Easy Cake Recipes
All 4 of these cakes are the kind of recipes that fit easily into everyday life. They’re quick to make, don’t require much planning, and rely on simple ingredients rather than special techniques. Nothing fancy, just cakes that turn out well and feel good to bake.
Whether you’re in the mood for something citrusy, chocolatey, classic, or banana-based, these are the recipes I actually come back to. The kind you make once and then keep in rotation – especially when what you really want is something homemade to go with your coffee.
If I had to pick just one cake out of the four, it would be the orange loaf cake. You get such a unique, fragrant flavor with very little effort, and baking with fresh oranges is always a win in my book. That said, I’m a big citrus lover, so it’s probably not the most objective choice – but it’s the one I reach for most often.
