Here's my favorite 6 Inch Cakes recipes to help you make cake even though you may not have any huge parties planned. 6 inch is perfect, as everything looks better petite, it's less cake to work through and you can just make more cakes so you don't have to choose!
Here's also a lot of other small-batch desserts as well, because I have a hard time choosing and all of them are so, so good. Ranging from chocolate mousse, to crème brûlée and pavlovas, there's something for everyone.
6 Inch Cakes Recipes for Smaller Gatherings
Without further ado, let's dive into all my favorite 6 inch cakes! Make sure to let me know which of these is your favorite in the comment section below.
Lemon Blueberry Cake with Lemon Curd and Swiss Meringue
Lemon blueberry cake with a luscious lemon curd filling and torched meringue is the perfect celebratory cake – in a small packaging. I decided to make my own lemon curd as well, as I always like to make things from scratch.
However, it's not so easy to make just ½ cup of lemon curd. I based it on my regular lemon curd recipe and reduced it to 1 cup. That would be perfect if you made three layers to this cake, but you can also freeze what you won't use today.
I also prefer to use frozen blueberries, so you don't have to wait for blueberry season! The frozen blueberries from the grocery stores are often wild, better tasting yet smaller blueberries and I so highly recommend using those over the big, beautiful blueberries in the fresh fruit section. It's all about flavor right!
Salted Caramel Chai Cake with Coffee Chocolate Buttercream
This is the easiest cake to make of the three, and it will also last the longest because there aren't any fresh fruit to perish. As this salted caramel chai cake has the same filling as the outer frosting, it would also be quite forgiving to make just 1 layer, although I promise the 2 layered cake wouldn't last long either. It is so good!
This cake is based on a Norwegian classic, the Tropisk Aroma (yes, tropical aroma). It's called that because of the then-exotic flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon. I've added salted caramel because salted caramel is life.
And the coffee chocolate buttercream is exceptional! I have eaten this buttercream ever since I was a young child, so don't freak out over the coffee. I would say it is a kid friendly buttercream and the coffee addition is crucial. If you don't want to add caffeine to the cake, you can use decaf coffee.
Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Baileys Chocolate Buttercream
Chocolate Raspberry Cake with a moist chocolate sponge, fresh raspberries and the best homemade raspberry jam, top it with a luscious Baileys chocolate buttercream for a real decadent treat. And it is so pretty too!
You can of course use a store bought raspberry jam for this chocolate cake. If there is a raspberry jam you love, you will of course love it on this cake as well! However, if you want to make it extra special and also usually a little fresher, opt for homemade raspberry jam. Follow my 'secret' recipe for an absolute killer jam.
And who doesn't love chocolate and Baileys and raspberries together in perfect harmony? The Baileys chocolate buttercream is simple to make, yet an absolute flavor burst. And I also love a great excuse to eat my Baileys, you know.
How to Make 1, 2 or 3 Layers of These Cakes
Because these cakes all originally have 2 layers, they aren't that small-batch anymore. However, it is a reason for this and that reason is called delicious fillings. It's not easy to add lemon curd and Swiss meringue to a 1 layer cake, nor fresh raspberry jam and Baileys buttercream.
Do we want to choose? Not really. So that's why I love it in 2 layers. 3 layers would make it even more scrumptious, but I don't think it's necessary. Here in Norway we aren't used to sky high cakes, we prefer delicious cakes and that is why all of my cake recipes all have my perfect ratio of cake to filling and frosting (in my opinion, which is the right opinion of course).
However, if you want to make just 1 layer of these cakes, it is absolutely possible! You will just have to decide (or get creative!) with the fillings and frostings. I've made an infographic with 1, 2 and 3 layers for the lemon blueberry cake, but this can be used for all the other cakes as well. A little math skills goes a long way in baking.
Other Small Batch Desserts
Making this small cakes series I realized I actually do have several small-batch dessert recipes already on this site. So what better way than to give them a little attention too! All of these serve 6 or fewer people, most of them are great for make ahead and all are mega delicious.
This glorious white chocolate mousse has homemade pistachio paste and rose syrup for that romantic and mild flavor. And don't worry, it's just a hint of floral! Makes 2-4. and perfect for make-ahead.
This is my favorite dessert to make during the fall! There's something so satisfying with the crackly caramelized topping and the smooth, spiced pumpkin creamy pudding. Makes 4, and perfect for make-ahead!
You don't really need any explanation why this cake is fantastic, but I'm giving it to you anyway. Chocolate cake with a gooey chocolatey filling oozing out, fresh raspberry sauce served with cold ice cream in perfect harmony. Makes 4, easy to double and great for make-ahead.
Something creamy, something sweet and tart and something crunchy makes this cranberry coconut trifle the perfect Holiday dessert! This can easily be made vegan. Makes 2 and is also good for make-ahed.
Okay, so this may technically serve 6 people, but I doubt you can share that much of it. This is incredibly comforting with tart rhubarb and raspberries, warm and sweet oatmeal, and topped with cold ice cream of course!
Hello beautiful thing! These crêpes are so perfect for brunch as much as dessert. Simple crêpes with an easy lemon cream cheese and blackberry jam. It looks fancy, but it's so easy! Makes 6, but I can never get the first crêpe right, so I'd say 5 crêpes for 2-3 people.
Wouldn't these pavlova nests be perfect for Easter? It's the same lemon curd as the lemon blueberry cake, so you can use your leftovers here! Pavlovas are perfect for make ahead (just don't assemble them until ready to serve). Makes 6.
Tender and comforting tart shell with a tart (get it?) red currant filling and sweet lemon curd. Brûléeing the top for extra crunch and texture! If you can't find red currants, you can use raspberries too! Makes 6.
I know it will be hard to decide which to make first! That's an issue I have all the time. Start with the things that are in season now, and remember, chocolate is always a good idea. Enjoy!
Did You Like These 6 Inch Cakes? Here Are Some Honorable Mentions That Are Perfect for Freezing:
These are recipes that yield a little more, but are perfect for freezing. I always have at least some of these in my freezer for when that craving hits or if I get visitors.
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (freeze as dough balls, bake for 1-2 minutes longer)
- Banana Snickerdoodle Cookies (freeze as dough balls, bake for 1-2 minutes longer)
- Lilac Lemon Cupcakes (freeze without frosting, thaw on the counter)
- Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls (re-heat in a 300F oven for 10 minutes for that freshly baked feel)
- Vanilla Custard Crescent Rolls (re-heat in a 300F oven for 10 minutes for that freshly baked feel)
- Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes (freeze without frosting, thaw on the counter)
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later! To make sure you’re never missing another recipe, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter. As a thanks you will receive a free e-cookbook Travels Through the Seasons, with many delicious recipes from around the world that suit different seasons of the year.
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