How to Make a Simple Cake with Few Ingredients

You don’t need a pantry full of baking supplies to whip up a delicious cake. In fact, some of the best cakes start with just a few basic ingredients. Whether you’re short on time, budget-conscious, or just want something quick and satisfying, a simple cake can hit the sweet spot—literally.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make a classic cake using minimal ingredients, with variations to suit your taste and pantry.

The Core Ingredients You Need

A basic cake requires only a handful of ingredients that you likely already have at home:

1. Flour – for structure
2. Sugar – for sweetness and texture
3. Eggs – for binding and moisture
4. Butter or oil – for fat and richness
5. Milk or water – to help blend the ingredients
6. Baking powder – for rising
7. Vanilla extract (optional) – for flavor

You can bake a cake with just these. Want to go even simpler? There are 4- and 5-ingredient versions too, which we’ll cover below.

The Easiest 5-Ingredient Cake Recipe

Here’s a foolproof vanilla cake recipe using only 5 basic ingredients:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter (melted)
• 1 tsp baking powder (okay, one extra—but essential!)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9-inch cake pan or line with parchment paper.
3. Whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add melted butter and milk. Mix until combined.
5. Sift in the flour and baking powder. Stir just until smooth.
6. Pour the batter into the pan.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or serve with jam.

Tips for Better Flavor with Fewer Ingredients

Using fewer ingredients doesn’t mean less flavor—if you know a few tricks.

• Use real butter: Adds richness and flavor.
• Brown the butter: For a nutty, deeper taste.
• Use vanilla sugar instead of plain sugar.
• Citrus zest (like lemon or orange) can add brightness with just a teaspoon.
• Cocoa powder: Add 2 tablespoons for a chocolate twist.

Simple Variations to Try

Here are a few delicious twists on the basic recipe:

1. Chocolate Cake (6 Ingredients)

Add 2–3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the flour mix. You may need a tablespoon more of milk.

2. Lemon Cake

Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Skip vanilla if using zest.

3. Cinnamon Cake

Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg to the flour.

4. Banana Cake

Mash 1 ripe banana and reduce the sugar slightly. Use with or without vanilla.

Can You Make Cake Without Eggs?

Yes! For eggless versions, you can substitute 1 egg with:

• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup mashed banana
• 1 tablespoon vinegar + 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Commercial egg replacers

These work well in simple cakes but may slightly change the texture.

Baking with What You Have

One of the best parts of a simple cake recipe is that it’s flexible. No butter? Use oil. No milk? Use water or plant-based milk. No eggs? Use a substitute.

The key is to maintain the moisture-fat-flour balance and keep an eye on your oven timing.

Less Can Be More—Especially in Cake

You don’t need a fancy mixer or exotic ingredients to make a satisfying cake. With just a few staples and a little creativity, you can whip up something delicious any time. Once you master this minimalist approach, you’ll have a go-to dessert for any day of the week.