One Batter, Many Cakes: Basic Cake Recipe + 10 Easy Variations
Baking doesn’t have to be complicated. With just one simple cake batter, you can create multiple flavors and styles. This versatile base recipe works both with eggs and without, and the variations allow you to transform it into chocolate, fruit, coffee, citrus, or nut-filled cakes—perfect for any occasion.
The Basic Cake Batter
A soft, moist, and customizable base.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup milk
- ⅓ cup oil or melted butter
- 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs (or ½ cup curd/yogurt for eggless)
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F (or Air Fryer instructions below).
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients separately.
- Combine gently—do not overmix.
- Pour into a greased cake tin and bake.
Baking Time Guide
🎂 In a Regular Oven
- 180°C / 350°F for 25–30 minutes
🍰 In an Air Fryer
- 130–140°C for 18–22 minutes
- Use a 6-inch round tin or smaller to fit the basket
- Cover the top loosely with foil for the first 10 minutes (prevents burning)
- Check doneness at 18 minutes with a toothpick
- Let cool before removing — cakes set while cooling
10 Delicious Variations
1. Chocolate Cake
Add: ¼ cup cocoa powder (reduce flour to 1¼ cups)
Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips
2. Coffee Cake
Add: 1 tbsp instant coffee dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water
Optional: walnuts + cinnamon pinch
3. Lemon Cake
Add: zest of 1 lemon + 2 tbsp lemon juice
Reduce milk by 2 tbsp
4. Orange Cake
Replace half milk with ½ cup orange juice
Add orange zest
5. Fruit & Nut Cake
Add: ½ cup chopped mixed nuts + raisins (dust with flour first)
Optional: 1 tsp cinnamon
6. Vanilla Sponge
Use butter instead of oil
Add extra vanilla (1 tsp more)
7. Marble Cake
Divide batter in 2 bowls
Add 2 tbsp cocoa to one part
Swirl gently before baking
8. Strawberry / Blueberry Cake
Add: ½–¾ cup berries (fresh or frozen)
Optional: berry jam swirl
9. Caramel Cake
Replace sugar with ½ cup caramel sauce + ½ cup sugar
Add pinch of salt
10. Coconut Cake
Add ½ cup desiccated coconut
Replace milk with coconut milk
Frosting & Topping Ideas
| Cake Type | Best Pairing |
|---|---|
| Vanilla | Whipped cream / Buttercream |
| Chocolate | Ganache |
| Lemon or Orange | Cream cheese |
| Coffee | Mocha frosting |
| Coconut | Whipped cream + toasted coconut |
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cakes
✨ Use a deep tin to avoid drying out
✨ Preheat air fryer if your model requires it
✨ Cover with foil if browning too fast
✨ Always cool before slicing for best texture
Final Thoughts
With this single base recipe, you can bake endless variations of cakes in both an oven and an air fryer. Mix and match flavors, experiment with toppings, and enjoy bakery-style cakes at home in under 30 minutes.
