Short on ingredients but still craving something sweet? You don’t need a long grocery list to bake a delicious cake. With just five simple ingredients, you can whip up a soft, fluffy cake that’s perfect for any moment—from afternoon tea to last-minute desserts.
In this article, you’ll learn how to make an easy, versatile 5-ingredient cake, plus variations and tips for making it extra special.
Why Bake a 5-Ingredient Cake?
- Budget-friendly and pantry-based
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Great for beginners
- Perfect for emergency baking
- Customizable for different flavors
Base Recipe: 5-Ingredient Vanilla Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
No baking powder? No problem! Eggs help lift the batter. Optionally, add ½ tsp baking powder if you want extra fluffiness (but the recipe works fine without it).
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven
Set to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a small cake pan or line with parchment.
2. Mix Ingredients
In one bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until light and foamy.
Add oil and vanilla, and mix until smooth.
Sift in flour and stir just until combined.
3. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Cool and Serve
Let cool before slicing. Serve plain or with toppings.
Optional Toppings (Don’t Count Toward Your 5 Ingredients )
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
- Fruit jam or berries
- Chocolate drizzle
- Lemon glaze
Tips for Best Results
- Use room temperature eggs to help with volume
- Don’t overmix once the flour is added
- If you want a fluffier texture, beat the eggs and sugar longer
- Use good-quality vanilla extract for more flavor
- Let it cool before slicing to prevent crumbling
Flavor Variations
- Lemon Cake – Replace vanilla with lemon juice + zest
- Banana Cake – Replace sugar with mashed ripe banana
- Chocolate Cake – Replace 2 tbsp flour with cocoa powder
- Coconut Cake – Use coconut oil + coconut extract
- Honey Cake – Replace sugar with honey for a richer taste
Can You Make It Dairy-Free?
Yes! Just use oil instead of butter, and you’ve got a dairy-free cake. It’s naturally adaptable to different dietary needs.
Storage
- Room temperature: 2 days (covered)
- Refrigerator: up to 5 days
- Freezer: up to 1 month (slice before freezing)
Delicious Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
With just five ingredients, you can bake a cake that’s soft, flavorful, and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself). Whether you’re short on time or just want something simple, this recipe proves that less really can be more. Try it once—and you might never go back to long recipes again.
