Looking for a layer cake recipe? Want a showstopping cake to bake and serve at a special occasion? Try our ideas then check out our birthday cake ideas and easy cake recipes.

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Whether it's a three-layer cake or seven-layer cake, our easy ideas make the perfect showstoppers. Choose between coffee cake, caramel cake and indulgent chocolate cake. We have also include some recipes for ‘ombre’ cakes; each layer has a different shade for dramatic effect when cut open. For evenly-sized layers every time, read our best springform cake tins review. Brush up your cake icing skills with our buttercream fillings and creamy frosting step-by-step recipes.


Best layer cake recipes

Chocolate layer cake

We have the recipe for the best ever chocolate layer cake and it's easier than you would expect. Simply make the chocolate cake mixture, divide into four, and sandwich together with shiny chocolate icing.

Best Chocolate Layer Cake

Lemon layer cake

A showstopping, lemony sponge cake with a delicious lemon curd icing and beautiful edible crystallised violets and primroses.

Lemon curd layer cake decorated with edible flowers

Baileys layer cake

A real showstopper of a cake, this three-tiered boozy beauty layers dark chocolate and Baileys sponge with a creamy Baileys buttercream for the ultimate indulgent dessert.

An impressive three-layered iced chocolate cake with fairy lights in the background

Salted maple, pecan and poached pear cake

An autumnal twist on a Victoria sponge, this salted maple, pecan and poached pear cake is impressive yet simple to make.

A four tier sponge cake filled with cream and topped with slices of pear

Peanut butter layer cake

This peanut butter layer cake is a little effort but looks stunning and will satisfy the fussiest peanut butter fiends.

Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

Clementine layer cake

This is a festive spin on a classic victoria sponge – instead of jam and cream it is layered with a homemade clementine curd (you can use shop-bought if you prefer) and a champagne-spiked cream.

Clementine Cake Recipe

Russian honey cake

Check out our impressive Russian cake recipe with moreish burnt-honey icing. This multi-tiered cake takes a bit of effort to make but it's the perfect cake to show off to friends and family for any special occasion.

Russian Honey Cake Recipe

Chocolate and burnt butterscotch layer cake

This deliciously indulgent, grown-up chocolate and burnt butterscotch cake looks really impressive and is definitely worth the effort. The butterscotch buttercream layers make the most indulgent finish.

Chocolate Cake Recipe with Burnt Butterscotch Frosting

Courgette and coconut layer cake

If you love veggie cakes then this is the layer cake for you! Our super moist and moreish courgette cake is packed with fluffy cream cheese icing and topped with crunchy coconut chips for a modern take on the British classic carrot cake.

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Courgette Cake Recipe with Coconut

Dirty chai ombre cake

Inspired by the dirty chai (a masala chai latte with a shot of espresso), this showstopping cake boasts layers of chai ganache and chocolate ombre sponge.

A cake with a large slice cut out, iced with cream icing and three layers of sponge of different shades of brown

Sloe gin layer cake

The best use of sloe gin. Team with plums and make a layer cake with wow factor. It's sure to impress your friends, and best of all it's an easy recipe too.


Passion fruit layer cake

An easy-to-make springy sponge cake layered with the tangy, fresh-tasting sweetness of a passion fruit icing. This cake would make a lovely afternoon tea treat.


Triple chocolate ombre cake

This layer cake is what’s known as an ‘ombre’ cake; each layer has a different shade with dark chocolate, milk chocolate and caramel flavours.


Carrot cake with maple frosting

How do you improve on a classic carrot cake? Roast the carrots for an even denser, richer cake, then slather in maple buttercream and layer up! This is a modern twist on a favourite that really elevates it to the next level.

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Walnut layer cake

This walnut layer cake is a dry-textured sweet cake with a satisfyingly nutty flavour. The meringue frosting adds a showstopping layer to the classic bake. Walnut cake is ideal for afternoon tea, as a celebration cake, or simply to enjoy as a snack with a cup of tea, plus it's really easy to make.

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