I’m not a very skillful cake maker. Layers come out uneven and crumbly, and I never seem to wait long enough to frost them. But sheet cakes I can handle. I love the simplicity of one, generous layer whose flaws you can easily cover with a spread of luscious frosting. Plus, it’s easy to quickly cut and serve to a room full of rambunctious toddlers or starving teens.
Or, to yourself. You deserve it.
Related: A complete guide to the best frosting recipes of all kinds
Here are few sheet cakes recipes for your next birthday party, baby shower or that summer picnic coming up that you can make without stress. In fact, they’re a piece of cake.
Top:Lemon Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting | How Sweet Eats
Sometimes basic is best, and this Classic Vanilla Sheet Cake With Quick Chocolate Frosting at Sugary Winzy will definitely be a party-crowd pleaser. Even if you aren’t a whiz at piping frosting, no one’s going to care once they have a slice of this delicious cake in their hands. Because, well, it’s cake.
Chocolate is probably the most-requested cake flavor in the history of cakes, and this Easy Chocolate Sheet Cake With Chocolate Icing from Style Sweet CA is one of those sheet cake recipes you’ll want to keep around for a long time. You could also change it up by doing a vanilla or buttercream frosting, for anyone who thinks this is too much chocolate. (I don’t know anyone who thinks like that).
I’m a sucker for lemon cake, so a sheet cake seems like a good idea since – there’s more of it. I especially love how this Lemon Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting at How Sweet Eats is topped with candied lemon slices – so pretty, and it’s like getting a dessert with your dessert. And that can never be a bad thing.
To be honest, I’d never heard of a Texas Sheet Cake. But now I’m kind of obsessed with making one, so I’m studying this recipe for Classic Texas Sheet Cake at Restless Chipotle. I’m learning all of the official rules, like only using pecans and the correct size pan for baking. And how it’s always to be eaten with a cup of coffee. I think it’s my favorite recipe already.
Related: 6 creative pie crust alternatives, because sometimes life’s too short for rolling dough
One of my favorite flavor combinations is strawberries and cream, and I cannot wait to make this Strawberry Sheet Cake With Buttercream Frosting recipe at Life Made Sweeter. It’s so gorgeous, and it’ll knock everyone’s socks off at my upcoming family reunion if we don’t eat the whole thing first. Sorry, family – I’ll pick up a pack of Oreos just in case.
There’s nothing kids like more than cake covered in sprinkles. I know some people turn up their noses at them, but I love making a Funfetti Sheet Cake recipe like this one at Sally’s Baking Addiction. What is up with the funfetti hate, people? I mean, just look at it – there’s no way you can’t be happy with this cake in your mouth. Let’s all love one another and bake more funfetti cakes. #peaceout
Related: 18 easy cake decorating ideas to make even a store-bought cake something special
After spending years as an unpopular old lady dessert, coconut cakes are suddenly hip. I’m so happy because I’ve always loved them. (The cakes as well as the old ladies.) This Coconut Sheet Cake recipe at Cooking Classy is made with whole coconut milk and topped with a cream cheese frosting, is one sheet cake recipe that looks almost too gorgeous to eat. But we will. Because this ain’t your grandma’s coconut cake.