21 Recipes For When You’re Torn Between Cake And Cupcakes

Are you torn between cake and cupcakes? Here are the recipes you can choose when you’re stuck in that exact spot. Some days you want the ease of a sheet cake, other times it’s all about grab-and-go cupcakes. No need to overthink it; this list has both. These are the kinds of bakes that work whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want something fun to share. They’re great for birthdays, bake sales, or just because you’re in the mood. Whatever you’re leaning toward, you’ll find something here that hits the mark.

Orange Soda Cupcakes

A cupcake with yellow cake and a generous swirl of white frosting, partially unwrapped from its red liner, with a red and white straw inserted in the frosting.
Orange Soda Cupcakes. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

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These homemade orange soda cupcakes are fluffy, tender, and quick to make using a box mix, jello and orange soda. They’re big on orange flavor and topped with creamy orange buttercream. Perfect for a summertime dessert, parties and potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Orange Soda Cupcakes

Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Red velvet bundt cake with cream cheese frosting.
Red Velvet Bundt Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Dive into the rich flavor and tender crumb of a homemade Red Velvet Bundt Cake. Topped with cream cheese frosting, this dessert is a total eye-catcher that promises both yumminess and a festive touch to your holiday celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Peanut Butter Cup Cakes

A tray of cupcakes topped with caramel and popcorn.
Peanut Butter Cup Cakes. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Icing topped with Cracker Jack. Yes, this cupcake has everything in it and on top that will remind you of a box of Cracker Jack with peanuts, caramel, and popcorn.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Cakes

Raspberry Chiffon Cake

Raspberry cake on a white stand with plates and napkins.
Raspberry Chiffon Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Make this showstopper classic Raspberry Chiffon Cake in no time. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make yet delivers a stunningly beautiful cake with a soft pastel pink hue. The light and airy texture melts in your mouth, while the burst of delicious raspberry flavor is sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Chiffon Cake

Coconut Cupcakes With Coconut Buttercream Frosting

Frosted coconut cupcakes on a white board.
Coconut Cupcakes With Coconut Buttercream Frosting. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Calling all coconut enthusiasts! Prepare for a tropical delight: our irresistible Coconut Cupcakes crowned with luscious Coconut Buttercream Frosting. This dreamy dessert starts with a clever shortcut—a boxed cake mix—but transforms into a moist, decadent cake masterpiece. Each bite is a fluffy, coconutty cloud that proves sometimes the simplest recipes yield the most heavenly results.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cupcakes With Coconut Buttercream Frosting

Black Cocoa Powder Cupcakes

A group of black cupcakes decorated with black frosting.
Black Cocoa Powder Cupcakes. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Gloriously dark, these Black Cocoa Powder Cupcakes are made with just 7 ingredients that starts with a boxed chocolate cake mix and the magical ingredient that turns these cupcakes black.
Get the Recipe: Black Cocoa Powder Cupcakes

Mountain Dew Bundt Cake

An overhead view of an iced Mountain Dew bundt cake on a yellow plate.
Mountain Dew Bundt Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

If you love Bundt cakes, this Mountain Dew Bundt Cake is a must-try. It’s bursting with zesty lemon flavor, and the creamy icing dripping down the sides will make you the talk of the town.
Get the Recipe: Mountain Dew Bundt Cake

Chocolate Fudge Cake

A three layer chocolate cake on a white platter.
Chocolate Fudge Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Indulge in chocolate with this easy-to-make layered Chocolate Fudge Cake, topped with rich chocolate frosting. Bake this cake in a sheet pan, then cut it into slices and stack the layers with a decadent chocolate fudge icing between each layer. Finally, cut this cake into irresistible slices of cake goodness.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Cake

Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

Frosted and unfrosted apple cupcakes in a muffin tin.
Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Say hello to fall with these wonderful, easy Apple Cupcakes topped with velvety Maple Buttercream Frosting. Cinnamon, ginger, and cloves add the perfect warm spices to flavor these delicious apple cakes
Get the Recipe: Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

Banana Cake Rollup

A sliced banana cake roll on a white platter.
Banana Cake Rollup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Try this easy Banana Roll Cake recipe that combines a cream cheese filling that’s baked along with the sponge cake, which makes it so easy to roll up. We added pecans, dried cranberries, and candied ginger for an extra delectable dessert cake.
Get the Recipe: Banana Cake Rollup

Strawberry Cupcakes

Two pink frosted cupcakes on a plate, one cut in half. A bowl of strawberries in the background.
Strawberry Cupcakes. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

These Strawberry Cupcakes are as gorgeous as they are delicious, with a soft, fluffy texture and a vibrant pink hue that’s perfect for any occasion. Filled with sweet strawberry goodness and topped with rich, creamy frosting, each bite is a treat for the senses. Thanks to the use of cake mix, they’re incredibly easy to make, even for beginners. Their stunning appearance and fresh flavor make them an ideal dessert for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any celebration!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cupcakes

Banana Caramel Cake

Iced banana cake with pecans on top.
Banana Caramel Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Banana Caramel Cake is a breeze to make at home. Starting with a boxed cake mix and finishing with a bakery-fresh caramel drizzle, it’s tender, flavorful, and totally foolproof.
Get the Recipe: Banana Caramel Cake

Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Buttercream

A slice of homemade strawberry cake with icing and strawberry on top.
Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Buttercream. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Create a homemade, moist, and tender Strawberry Cake bursting with strawberries. Complete it with a luscious strawberry buttercream for a delightful dessert any time of the year.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Buttercream

Vanilla Skillet Cake

A slice of cake with powdered sugar on a plate.
Vanilla Skillet Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Try this Easy Vanilla Cake in a Skillet, made with simple ingredients and baked in a cast-iron pan for a crispy golden crust and soft, tender center. It’s packed with rich vanilla flavor and speckled with real vanilla bean seeds for extra depth. Finish it with a light dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon for the perfect touch of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Vanilla Skillet Cake

Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes

Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes. Photo credit: Fitty Foodlicious.

Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes is a zesty and vibrant mini bundt cakes recipe that is a delectable Spring treat! Made with sugar, flour, lemon, and eggs, this is one easy bundt cake recipe you’ll come back to! Think of it like a mini lemon pound cake recipe in bundt cake form. This is the best mini lemon bundt cake recipe!
Get the Recipe: Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes

Summer Cupcakes

Five cupcakes with toasted meringue topping on a dark wooden table, with some placed in a wicker basket and others on the surface.
Summer Cupcakes. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Cupcakes are such a fun and simple way to celebrate the flavors of summer. I love this Summer Cupcakes recipe because it brings a burst of sunshine to your taste buds with every bite. When you’re enjoying them at a beach picnic or simply craving a light, fresh dessert at home, these cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat for the season.
Get the Recipe: Summer Cupcakes

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cupcakes

Cupcakes on a cutting board.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cupcakes. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Reese’s mini peanut butter cups steal the show in these delicious cupcakes, providing a delightful surprise in the middle of chocolate-on-chocolate cupcakes, drizzled with a rich peanut butter sauce. YUM! Introducing Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cupcakes.
Get the Recipe: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cupcakes

Old Fashioned Cherry Dump Cake

A plate of cherry cobbler topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and pecans, with a spoon next to it. Another plate of the same dessert is blurred in the background.
Old Fashioned Cherry Dump Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

If you are looking for a dessert that’s as delicious as it is simple, Cherry Dump Cake might be exactly what you are looking for. This recipe is the answer to a quick dessert that looks fancy but takes minimal time and effort to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cherry Dump Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

Cupcakes with pink frosting topped with raspberries arranged in rows on a white surface.
Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream Frosting are a game-changer for anyone who loves a mix of tangy and sweet flavors. The cupcakes are bursting with fresh lemon zest and juice, giving them a bright, citrusy punch. Topped with a creamy, raspberry-flavored buttercream, each bite is a perfect balance of tart and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

Brownie Cake

An overhead shot of a brownie bundt cake.
Brownie Cake. Photo credit: Organically Addison..

This brownie cake is rich, decadent and chocolaty! It is hands down the easiest cake ever. This recipe is made with pantry staples and can be prepared in just one hour. The texture is soft, fluffy, moist and absolute perfection. Great for Christmas, birthdays, holidays and more!
Get the Recipe: Brownie Cake

Chocolate Mug Cake

A chocolate mug cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce, placed on a woven placemat next to a gold spoon.
Chocolate Mug Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Who says you need fancy equipment or a pile of dishes to satisfy your chocolate cravings? I certainly don’t. This microwave chocolate mug cake recipe is my go-to for satisfying those chocolate cravings or when I need a quick dessert for one.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mug Cake

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