14 Easy Snack Cakes You Can Bake Just Because

Any day is a great day for cake.

I lived with my grandparents for a year after high school and I loved walking in the door and seeing a cake pan cooling on the counter. I would cut myself a square and relish the simple dessert. It could be 100 degrees outside and there would still be a cake on the counter, meant to be eaten while sipping black coffee in the middle of the day. Grandma didn’t need a birthday or holiday to bake and you and I don’t either.

I love snack cakes because they aren't complicated or need to be pre-planned. These cakes all come together quickly and can be made whenever the urge for a sweet treat strikes. They use pantry ingredients and simple baking techniques. In fact, you won’t even need to set out the butter because these cakes use oil or melted butter.

I’m heading to the kitchen now to whip one up and I hope you do too.

Lazy Daisy Cake

You had me at broiled coconut topping. This cake comes together with one bowl and a whisk; plus you can double it to make a 9x13 cake.

Get Recipe: Lazy Daisy Cake

Chocolate Depression Cake

Here's the chocolate cake you've been looking for: tender, chocolatey, and ultra easy. The coffee in the cake deepens the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee. With no eggs, butter, or dairy, it's a 100% pantry recipe.

Get Recipe: Chocolate Depression Cake

Whole Clementine Cake

I always have a bag of clementines on the counter and now I have one more way to use them. I love that the batter is made in the food processor and uses the whole fruit, including the peel.

Sad Cake

Sad cake is reminiscent of a blondie and is made with only four ingredients (one of which is Bisquick). I promise you'll see only smiles after one bite.

Get Recipe: Sad Cake

Coffee Coconut Banana Bread Cake

Coffee, banana, and coconut are a winning combination, making this banana cake unforgettable. The best tasting bananas for baking are yellow with some black spots. You'll need two or three for this recipe.

Get Recipe: Coffee Coconut Banana Bread Cake

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

This lemon olive oil cake brings the oil out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Serve with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Get Recipe: Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodle Cake

Yossy Arefi turned my favorite cookies into an easy snack cake, and I couldn't be happier. You could add more chocolate chips to the top of the cake for a more robust chocolate flavor.

Get Recipe: Yossy Arefi’s Easy Recipe for Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodle Cake

Applesauce Cake

Frost this with a cream cheese frosting, or just leave it plain.

Get Recipe: Applesauce Spice Cake

Yogurt Cake

I think of this as the "perfect" loaf cake. I knew after one bite that I'd be making it again. It's tender and sublimely simple. I also love Earl Grey Yogurt Cake with Strawberries.

Get Recipe: Yogurt Cake

Rhubarb Skillet Cake

My heart beats faster when I see the first ruby red stalks of rhubarb at the market. If you can't wait for fresh rhubarb, you can use frozen rhubarb that has been thawed.

Get Recipe: Rhubarb Skillet Cake

Easy Apple Cake

Cut yourself a piece of apple cake for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dessert, or any time in between. While any apple will work in this recipe, I like tart apples that hold their shape, such as Honeycrisp or Cortland.

Get Recipe: Easy Apple Cake

Texas Sheet Cake

If you have a Texas-sized crowd to feed, then this is the chocolate cake for you. Once the cake is baked, let it cool for a couple minutes before pouring the frosting on top.

Get Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Tender, thick squares of pumpkin cake remind me that it's always pumpkin season. You can make this into cupcakes or a layered cake if so inclined.

Get Recipe: Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Bisquick Apple Coffee Cake

Coffee cake is one of my favorite breakfasts and Bisquick makes it doable on a whim. You can chop the apples and toss them in the batter instead of slicing and placing them on top, but either way, don't skip the butter and streusel topping.

Get Recipe: Bisquick Apple Coffee Cake

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.