When talking to hobby bakers, you’ll find that many prefer making pies and cookies over cakes. Why? It’s simple: Cakes are just so big, and the leftovers tend to be lackluster. Cutting down baking recipes, on the other hand, is not so simple. Enter Little Everyday Cakes, by Candace Floyd. In writing the cookbook, Candace did the legwork of perfecting over 50 delicious, adorably “mini” cake recipes. We’ve highlighted five of our favorites below!
Tiny Texas Sheet Cake
Come potluck season, most folks agree: chocolatey Texas Sheet Cake, with its buttery coconut-and-pecan topping, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Candace’s version is perfect for smaller gatherings, as it’s made in an eight-inch square cake pan. (It’s also great for gifting!) Click HERE to see the full recipe.
You can find the recipe for this Texas sheet cake HERE.
Ricotta Cake
If you’re a fan of cheesecake, this small ricotta cake is an equally delicious (but much simpler) alternative! Using cornstarch in place of flour, the cake can be baked in less than an hour. Candace recommends topping your dessert with macerated strawberries for summer, but you can get creative with whatever is in season. To see the full recipe, click HERE.
Find the recipe for this ricotta cake HERE.
Piña Colada Cake
Indulge in a tropical getaway without leaving your house by whipping up this clever piña colada cake. Candace incorporates toasted coconut flakes for added flavor and texture. However, she notes to watch them carefully as they bake — they can burn quickly! The cake is topped with a decadent glaze and lime-infused whipped cream. You can find the full recipe HERE.
You can find the complete piña colada cake recipe HERE.
Strawberry Cake
Whether you use fresh or frozen berries, this adorably “mini” strawberry layer cake is sure to satisfy a small crowd. If you opt for frozen berries, Candace recommends letting them completely thaw in a colander to drain the juice. Once the cake is finished cooling, ice it with a double batch of Candace’s homemade cream cheese frosting and garnish to your heart’s content! To see the full recipe, click HERE.
Check out this strawberry cake recipe HERE.
Lime Cake
For a light, citrusy option, this lime cake is sure to do the trick. Perfect for spring and summer gatherings, this cake can feed up to nine people. For a picture-perfect presentation, top the cake with homemade lime cream cheese frosting and fresh lime zest. You can serve it straight from the pan! Click HERE to see the recipe.
Find the lime cake recipe HERE.
Come on. Indulge a little!
“Little Everyday Cakes” (Blue Hills Press, 2023) makes a fabulous gift for hobby bakers! Order a copy HERE.
All photography by Danielle Atkins, courtesy of Blue Hills Press.
**********
Find more delicious dishes in our recipe archives.
