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Easy 3 ingredients cake

Step Time Intensity
Preparation 5 minutes ⭐ Very Easy
Baking 30 minutes ⭐ Very Easy
Total Time 35 minutes ⭐ Very Easy

This is one of the simplest cake recipes you’ll ever make. If you can stir and pour, you can bake this cake successfully — no fancy equipment or culinary experience required!


🧂 Ingredients

There are many fun versions of 3-ingredient cakes, but here’s the classic base version everyone loves — using a boxed cake mix.

Option 1: Classic Soda Cake

  • 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) cake mix (any flavor — chocolate, vanilla, lemon, etc.)

  • 1 can (12 oz / 355 ml) soda or sparkling water (flavor complements cake mix)

  • 2 large eggs (optional for extra fluffiness — still 3 ingredients if included!)

Option 2: Sweetened Condensed Milk Cake

  • 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) self-rising flour

Option 3: Nutella Cake (Yes, really!)

  • 1 cup (280 g) Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread

  • 2 large eggs

  • ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour

Tip: You can choose any of these variations — all are true 3-ingredient cakes that come together quickly and bake into soft, moist perfection.


🍳 Equipment Needed

  • 1 mixing bowl

  • 1 whisk or spoon

  • 1 8-inch round or 9×9-inch baking pan

  • Non-stick spray or parchment paper

  • Oven

Optional:

  • Wire rack for cooling

  • Frosting spatula (if decorating)


👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

We’ll focus on the Classic Soda Cake Method, since it’s the most versatile and fun.


Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking pan lightly with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Tip: A round pan gives a beautiful, traditional cake look, but a loaf pan or cupcake tins work just as well.


Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine your cake mix and soda.

Stir gently with a whisk or spoon until just combined — the batter will be smooth and slightly bubbly.

Avoid overmixing, as that can make the cake dense.

Flavor Pairing Ideas:

  • Chocolate cake + cola or root beer = rich, fudgy flavor

  • Lemon cake + lemon-lime soda = bright and zesty

  • Strawberry cake + cream soda = nostalgic sweetness

  • Vanilla cake + orange soda = dreamsicle vibes


Step 3: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake for 25–35 minutes, depending on your oven and pan size.
Start checking at the 25-minute mark — the cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Remove from oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Step 4: Decorate or Serve Plain

Once cooled, you can serve your 3-ingredient cake just as it is — soft, tender, and deliciously simple.

Or, dress it up with:

  • Powdered sugar dusting

  • Whipped cream and berries

  • Chocolate ganache

  • Glaze or frosting (store-bought or homemade)

  • Sprinkles or shaved chocolate

Shortcut: For a quick glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk and drizzle over the top.


🍽️ Serving Ideas

Perfect for:

  • Weeknight desserts

  • Birthday parties

  • Bake sales

  • Kids’ sleepovers

  • Potlucks or picnics

Pair it with:

  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream

  • A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce

  • A cup of coffee or hot cocoa

And if you’re feeling creative, turn your 3-ingredient cake into:

  • Mini cupcakes – bake for 15 minutes

  • Cake pops – crumble and mix with frosting, then coat in chocolate

  • Layer cake – slice in half and fill with whipped cream or jam


🧊 Storage & Reheating

  • Room Temperature: Store covered for up to 3 days.

  • Refrigerate: Lasts up to 5 days in an airtight container.

  • Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Tip: If frozen, thaw at room temperature for 2 hours before serving. You can warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for that “fresh-baked” feel.


🧮 Nutrition Information (per serving, based on 12 servings)

Nutrient Amount
Calories 260 kcal
Protein 3 g
Total Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Carbohydrates 44 g
Sugars 26 g
Cholesterol 35 mg
Sodium 280 mg

Note: Nutritional values vary depending on the cake mix and ingredients used. The Nutella version is higher in calories and fat, while the soda cake is lighter and dairy-free.


💡 Tips for Success

  1. Don’t overmix: Stir gently — just enough to combine. Overmixing can deflate the batter.

  2. Mind your pan: Dark or glass pans may bake faster; check a few minutes early.

  3. Flavor match: Choose complementary soda flavors for your cake mix.

  4. Keep it cool: Let your cake cool before frosting or it’ll melt the topping.

  5. Make it your own: Add chocolate chips, nuts, or a swirl of peanut butter for extra fun (but that’ll make it more than 3 ingredients!).


🌟 Fun Variations

  • Chocolate Cola Cake: Use chocolate cake mix + cola — a rich, old-fashioned favorite.

  • Lemon Cream Cake: Lemon cake mix + Sprite or 7Up — light and refreshing.

  • Spice Cake with Ginger Ale: Cozy and fragrant — perfect for fall.

  • Pineapple Coconut Cake: Yellow cake mix + crushed pineapple (juice included!) + shredded coconut.

  • Nutella Cake: Mix Nutella, eggs, and flour for a fudgy, flourless-style treat.

The beauty of this recipe is flexibility — you can mix, match, and experiment endlessly!


🏁 Final Thoughts

This Easy 3-Ingredient Cake is proof that baking doesn’t have to be complicated. In half an hour, you can whip up a tender, delicious dessert that’s guaranteed to impress — using just a few pantry staples.

It’s perfect for busy days, lazy weekends, or spontaneous celebrations. No fancy mixers or long shopping lists required — just pure, simple joy baked into every bite.

Whether you go classic with a soda cake, rich with Nutella, or creamy with condensed milk, this recipe delivers foolproof results every time. So go ahead — preheat that oven, grab a bowl, and bake yourself a little happiness.

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