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35 Easy Birthday Cake Ideas That Are Just as Creative as They Are Pretty

These confections are anything but boring.

BRIAN WOODCOCK

If there's no cake, is it really a birthday party? Of course not. While, of course, everyone has their preferences, and we'll allow that some people may just not like birthday cake (maybe for them you could choose one of these chocolate pie recipes), but for the most part, a frosted confection is the proper thing to do.

But that doesn't mean it needs to be boring! Put your usual cake recipe aside and let these new, easy birthday cake ideas lead the way. From Texas sheet cake recipes to elaborately decorated and towering confections, there are dozens of delightful directions to take when designing your most celebratory decadent dessert. Even better: You don't have to be an advanced baker to pull off these best birthday cake ideas. From a malted milk ball-inspired spring cake to ice cream cakes and bombes, to Froot-Loop cakes and even a last-minute no-bake cheesecake covered with fresh fruit, you're sure to find a confection to delight.

Another thing we love about these recipes? They're incredibly versatile. If the guest of honor errs on the traditional side of dessert preferences, bookmark the chocolate and vanilla confections ahead. Do they favor ice cream too? We've also included the easiest ice cream cake recipe that's also totally decadent. This is your chance to forego a store-bought dessert in favor of one of the following homemade cake recipes. Why? We think you'll find that the birthday boy or girl will really appreciate the thoughtful gesture of a birthday cake being made with love—just for them.

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Speckled Malted Coconut Cake

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Strawberry-Angel Food Layer Cake

This classic combo of whipped cream, fresh berries, and airy angel food is like shortcake, only much better.

Get the recipe.

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Red Velvet Snowball Cake

Red velvet cakes are always impressive-looking, but the coconut cream-cheese frosting takes this one over the top.

Get the recipe.

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Strawberry Basket Cake

This fantasy cake is piled high with sweet, juicy berries! We stabilized the whipped cream with gelatin, so you can assemble the cake early in the day and the frosting won't weep.

Get the recipe.

SHOP CAKE DECORATING KITS

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Raspberry Pink Velvet Cake

You've no doubt heard of red velvet cake, so we think you'll love pink velvet—red velvet's sassier cousin. This confection is fruity, fun, and the prettiest of blush hues.

Get the recipe.

SHOP STAND MIXERS

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Cookies and Ice Cream Cake

If your loved one isn't a fan of traditional birthday cake, then we're pretty sure they'll love this mixture of ice cream and cookies. Let's be honest—you really can't wrong with the combination.

Get the recipe.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

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Froot Loops Cake

Cereal lovers, this one's for you. Pack your birthday cake with everyone's favorite breakfast—Froot Loops! The sugary breakfast treat adds a nice, crunchy texture, a zippy, fruity flavor, and a splash of color.

Get the recipe.

SHOP BUNDT PANS

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Candy Cane Cake

Whether you're throwing a birthday party around the holidays, or just love peppermint, you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't love this cake. This recipe is chock-full of the minty confection, with each layer of frosting containing candy canes.

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SHOP ROUND CAKE PANS

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Vanilla Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Cinnamon Filling

A classic sheet cake gets an upgrade with a zesty cinnamon addition to the frosting.

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Apple Cinnamon Cake

When thinking of a recipe for a fall birthday, we think it's best to look to the season for inspiration. Apple and cinnamon are two flavors that scream autumn, and this dessert uses both (note the chunks of fresh fruit inside!).

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SHOP ROUND CAKE PANS

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Blue Bell Ice Cream Bombe

Simply layer Blue Bell ice cream—chocolate, pistachio-almond, strawberry, and chocolate chip—in a large bowl to create this bombshell of a birthday cake.

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Lemon-Coconut Cake

Just add candles to this daisy-covered cake and it'll fit right in at a spring birthday party.

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Strawberry Limeade Cake

This brightly colored cake will please kids and adults alike with its sweet-tart flavor combo.

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Easy Chocolate Party Cake

This classic birthday cake is easy to make and clean up since the recipe only requires one bowl.

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Pink Ombré Cake

Leave this colorful cake unfrosted so you can see the ombre layers peek through.

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Coconut Bundt Cake

If the guest of honor loves coconut, make them this coconut bundt that has been described as "out of this world good."

Get the recipe at 5 Boys Baker.

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Malted Milk Birthday Cake

What's more classic than yellow cake with pink frosting and sprinkles?

Get the recipe at La Pêche Fraîche.

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Carrot Cake

Is carrot cake your mom's absolute favorite? Surprise her with this flower-topped version on her birthday this year.

Get the recipe at Style Sweet CA.

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Malted Chocolate Cake

You can decorate this chocolate cake any way you'd like, but we think this birthday bunting looks sweet and easy to DIY.

Get the recipe at Vikalinka.

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Pink Champagne Cake

Cake made with pink Champagne? Sign us up!

Get the recipe at Liv For Cake.

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Homemade Funfetti Cake

If you're anti-boxed cake mix, you'll be happy to hear that it's totally possible to DIY funfetti cake.

Get the recipe at My Name Is Yeh.

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Chocolate Sheet Cake

Does frosting layer cakes give you anxiety? This sheet cake is nearly impossible to mess up.

Get the recipe at Joy The Baker.

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Hummingbird Cake

This banana-pineapple flavor combo is a classic Southern treat topped with cream cheese frosting.

Get the recipe at Broma Bakery.

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Milk and Cookies Cake

Cookie dough lovers take note: This birthday cake is made from alternating layers of yellow cake and edible cookie dough.

Get the recipe at Style Sweet CA.

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Blackberry Lime Cake

Not only does this zesty lime cake frosted with blackberry buttercream look pretty, but also tastes delicious.

Get the recipe at The Cake Blog.

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Caramel Cake

Try this recipe that swaps basic frosting for a rich coating of caramel icing if you're not the biggest fan of buttercream.

Get the recipe at Cleo Buttera.

Lyndsey Matthews Freelance Writer Lyndsey Matthews is the Destination News Editor for AFAR; previously she was a Lifestyle Editor across all of Hearst Digital Media's brands, and a digital editor at Martha Stewart Weddings and Travel + Leisure.

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