A Few Quick Cakes to Start 2021 Right

Before everyone dives into their food-related New Year's resolutions (a la juice cleanses or Whole 30) to pare down that holiday (or quarantine) weight, we offer you our two lovely finalists in our latest Contest. We asked our community members for their simple but delicious cake recipes that were one layer and came together in one bowl. If frosting was included, it had to have less than five ingredients and also come together in one bowl. Our community delivered.

Our two finalists epitomized simple, unfussy cakes that deliver on flavor and soul. We are all hoping that 2021 will bring more opportunities for impromptu dinner parties or get togethers at home with friends and family. Our snacking cake finalists will be there for you when you need them. As an added new year bonus, we are also giving an honorable mention to one additional snacking cake recipe.

1. Cinnamon Anise Snack Cake by clintonhillbilly

This cake comes together so easily you can delegate the baking to the kids while you work on dinner. The anise, cinnamon, orange, and vanilla flavors blend beautifully in cake with just the right amount of almond flour to give it a hearty texture.

2. Chocolate Carrot Snacking Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Jessie Sheehan

By the time your oven preheats, you can have this decadent chocolate snacking cake ready for the oven. This cake has just the right amount of chocolate, with finely grated carrots dancing in the background. Add a swoosh of cream cheese frosting and your holiday dessert is complete.

And an honorable mention for the Best Snacking Cake Contest:

Although the Winter Hazelnut and Orange Cake by Barbara Polichnowska did not meet our Food52 contest rules (she lives across the pond) her snacking cake was universally loved by our testers. This cake perfectly balances flour and ground hazelnuts for a light but flavorful crumb. The recommended unsweetened whipped cream and orange marmalade takes this recipe over the top. Best of all, the cake comes together before you can even preheat your oven. Enjoy!

Please join us in giving CLINTONHILLBILLY and Jessie Sheehan congratulations in the comments section below! If you can, try one or both of these at home, and vote for your favorite by heading over to our contest page. You have now until 12 p.m. ET on Jan. 8 to tell us which recipe you loved the most. We’ll announce the winner at 12 p.m. ET on Jan. 9.