Ghana Cake Recipes: 25 Traditional & Festive Treats

Ghana cake recipes blend European sponge techniques with local flavors like Milo, coconut, plantain, and warming spices: moist, generous bakes made to feed a crowd.

Ghana cake recipes are woven into every milestone, from naming ceremonies and engagements to Christmas and big family Sundays. The tradition borrows from classic sponge baking but makes it unmistakably Ghanaian: extra eggs, generous butter, fragrant spices, and beloved staples like Milo, condensed milk, and ripe plantain. In these ghana cake recipes you will find 25 distinct bakes, from everyday loaves to grand celebration cakes.

Most share a few secrets: room-temperature eggs and butter, steady oven heat, and a splash of vanilla or pinch of nutmeg in nearly every batter.

Classic Ghanaian Sponge Cake

Taller, richer, and more buttery than its European cousin, this party sponge is the foundation so many ghana cake recipes build on.

250g butter and 250g sugar
5 eggs, at room temperature
300g flour and 2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
Fold in flour and baking powder in three additions.
Bake at 350°F in a lined 9-inch pan for 35-40 minutes.

Milo Chocolate Cake

A moist chocolate cake with Milo powder in the batter and a glossy cocoa glaze for double malted flavor.

2 cups flour and 1 cup Milo powder
1 cup sugar and 2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup oil

Whisk the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Stir in eggs, milk, and oil until smooth.
Bake at 350°F in a greased 9x13 pan for 30 minutes.
Pour warm Milo glaze over the top while warm.

Ripe Plantain Cake

Overripe plantains become a caramel-sweet cake with a custardy crumb that stays moist for days, a signature note in ghana cake recipes.

3 very ripe plantains, mashed
1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs and 1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Mix plantains with sugar, eggs, and melted butter.
Fold in flour and cinnamon until no streaks remain.
Spoon into a lined loaf pan.
Bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.

Coconut Poke Cake

Soft vanilla sponge soaked in sweetened coconut milk and crowned with toasted coconut flakes; serve well chilled.

1 vanilla sponge in a 9x13 pan
1 can coconut milk, 1/2 cup condensed milk
1 cup whipped cream
3/4 cup toasted coconut flakes

Poke holes all over the warm cake with a skewer.
Pour the coconut milk mixture evenly over it.
Chill at least 4 hours to absorb the soak.
Top with whipped cream and toasted coconut.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Caramelized pineapple rings make this retro favorite a fixture at engagements and birthdays, with the glossy topping fans of classic ghana cake recipes love.

1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar
1 can pineapple rings, drained, plus cherries
1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs
1/2 cup pineapple juice, 2 tsp baking powder

Melt butter with brown sugar and pour into a cake pan.
Arrange pineapple rings and cherries over the caramel.
Mix the batter and spread gently over the fruit.
Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes, then invert while warm.

Chocolate Malt Loaf Cake

A dense, fudgy malted loaf that slices neatly and keeps well wrapped for five days.

1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup malted drink powder, 1 cup sugar
2 eggs, 3/4 cup oil, 1 cup hot water
2 tsp baking soda

Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Beat in eggs, oil, and hot water until glossy.
Pour into a lined loaf pan.
Bake at 325°F for 55 minutes; cool before slicing.

Banana Spice Cake

Ripe bananas, nutmeg, and a hint of clove; warm spices are a hallmark of ghana cake recipes, and this one wears them proudly.

3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar
2 eggs and 1/2 cup oil
1 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp clove, 1 tsp baking soda

Combine bananas, sugar, eggs, and oil.
Fold in flour, spices, and baking soda.
Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes; frost when cool.

Orange Zest Celebration Cake

Orange zest and juice brighten a tender crumb, and a syrup brushed on after baking keeps it juicy: a favorite for outdoor parties.

250g butter and 250g sugar
4 eggs
300g self-rising flour
Zest of 2 oranges, 1/3 cup orange juice

Cream butter, sugar, and orange zest until fluffy.
Add eggs one by one, then fold in flour.
Stir in the orange juice gently.
Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes; brush with syrup while warm.

Lime Coconut Cake

Tangy lime meets sweet coconut in a refreshing layer cake, showing how flexible ghana cake recipes can be for celebrations or everyday treats.

2 1/2 cups flour and 1 cup desiccated coconut
1 1/4 cups sugar and 3 eggs
1 cup coconut milk
Zest and juice of 2 limes, 2 tsp baking powder

Beat sugar, eggs, and lime zest until thick.
Add coconut milk, then fold in flour, coconut, and baking powder.
Divide between two 8-inch pans; bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
Layer with lime buttercream and extra coconut.

Ghanaian Wedding Fruit Cake

Dark, boozy, and richly spiced, this wedding cake folds rum-soaked dried fruit into a batter that matures beautifully.

500g mixed dried fruit, soaked in rum
250g butter and 250g dark brown sugar
4 eggs and 1/2 cup treacle
300g flour, 1 tsp mixed spice, 1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar; beat in the eggs.
Stir in treacle, vanilla, and all the soaked fruit.
Fold in the flour and spice.
Bake at 300°F for 90 minutes in a lined 9-inch pan.

Ginger Root Cake

Fresh grated ginger gives this dark treacle cake a warm, peppery kick: few ghana cake recipes comfort like it with a cup of tea.

1/4 cup fresh ginger, grated
1 cup treacle and 1 cup hot water
2 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup butter
2 eggs and 2 tsp baking soda

Dissolve treacle in hot water; stir in the ginger.
Rub butter into flour and soda, then add liquid and eggs.
Beat until smooth.
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes in a lined 9-inch pan.

Groundnut Butter Cake

Groundnuts bring nutty richness to this tender crumb, and a swirl of groundnut butter makes every slice marbled.

2 cups flour and 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup smooth groundnut butter
2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup softened butter
2 tsp baking powder

Cream butter, sugar, and groundnut butter together.
Beat in eggs; alternate adding flour and milk.
Swirl an extra spoonful of groundnut butter through the batter.
Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes in a greased 9-inch pan.

Red Velvet Party Cake

Vibrant red layers with cream cheese frosting, a modern Accra bakery staple that stays moist with buttermilk and oil: one of the most requested ghana cake recipes.

2 1/2 cups cake flour and 1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup oil, 2 eggs
2 tbsp cocoa and 1 oz red food color
1 tsp baking soda plus 1 tsp vinegar

Whisk dry ingredients; add oil, eggs, buttermilk, and color.
Stir soda and vinegar together; fold in quickly.
Bake in two 8-inch pans at 350°F for 28 minutes.
Cool fully before frosting with cream cheese icing.

Carrot and Raisin Cake

Grated carrot keeps this spice cake moist while plump raisins add sweetness, finished with a light orange glaze.

2 cups grated carrot
2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup oil
1 cup raisins
2 tsp cinnamon and 2 tsp baking powder

Whisk eggs, sugar, and oil until combined.
Fold in flour, cinnamon, and baking powder.
Stir in the carrots and raisins.
Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes in a lined 9x13 pan.

Lemon Drizzle Cake

A classic loaf that soaks up lemon syrup while warm, leaving a crunchy crust: beloved among simple make-ahead ghana cake recipes for weeknights and lunchboxes.

225g butter and 225g sugar, 4 eggs
225g self-rising flour
Zest of 2 lemons and 1/2 cup lemon juice
100g granulated sugar for the drizzle

Cream butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light.
Add eggs and flour alternately until smooth.
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes in a lined loaf pan.
Mix lemon juice with sugar and pour over the warm cake.

Coffee Cocoa Cake

Strong brewed coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee: the grown-up choice for evening gatherings.

2 cups flour, 3/4 cup cocoa, 1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup oil
1 cup strong hot coffee
2 tsp baking soda

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Add eggs, milk, and oil; beat in the hot coffee.
Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes; cool before frosting.

Boiled Fruit Cake

Dried fruit, butter, and sugar simmer together first for an incredibly moist crumb; among traditional ghana cake recipes, this boiled method never fails, even for beginners.

2 cups mixed dried fruit
1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup water
2 cups flour and 2 eggs
1 tsp mixed spice

Simmer fruit, butter, sugar, and water 10 minutes; cool.
Beat in the eggs.
Fold in flour and mixed spice.
Bake at 325°F for 60 minutes in a lined 8-inch pan.

Mango Chiffon Cake

Light as air and perfumed with mango puree, this chiffon is a showstopper; serve plain or with barely sweetened whipped cream.

1 1/2 cups cake flour and 1 cup sugar, divided
7 egg whites and 5 yolks
1 cup mango puree and 1/2 cup oil
2 tsp baking powder

Whisk yolks, oil, mango puree, and half the sugar.
Fold in flour and baking powder.
Whip whites with remaining sugar to stiff peaks; fold in.
Bake at 325°F for 50 minutes in an ungreased tube pan; invert to cool.

Vanilla Butter Cake

This tender vanilla crumb is the base for countless decorated birthday cakes, and its reliability is why so many home bakers learn ghana cake recipes starting here.

250g butter and 250g sugar, 4 eggs
300g flour and 2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk and 2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream butter and sugar until very pale.
Add eggs one at a time with the vanilla.
Alternate folding in the flour mixture and milk.
Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes in a lined 9-inch pan.

Chocolate Chip Party Cake

Chocolate chips folded through golden vanilla batter, baked as a sheet cake to feed a whole classroom.

2 1/2 cups flour and 1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup softened butter and 4 eggs
1 cup milk and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
2 tsp baking powder

Cream butter and sugar; beat in the eggs.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes in a 9x13 pan.

Spiced Honey Cake

Honey, cinnamon, and a whisper of nutmeg bake into a golden, fragrant loaf, delicious warm with extra honey.

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup honey and 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup milk
2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 2 tsp baking powder

Whisk honey, sugar, eggs, oil, and milk until smooth.
Fold in flour, spices, and baking powder.
Pour into a lined loaf pan.
Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes; cool before slicing.

Pineapple Banana Cake

Crushed pineapple and mashed banana team up in this ultra-moist tropical sheet cake, mixed in one bowl.

2 cups flour and 1 1/2 cups sugar
2 mashed bananas and 1 can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 eggs and 3/4 cup oil
2 tsp baking soda

Stir bananas, pineapple, eggs, oil, and sugar together.
Fold in flour and baking soda until just combined.
Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes; cool completely.

Coconut Layer Cake

Three tender coconut layers stacked with fluffy frosting and shredded coconut: the cake people request for birthdays.

2 3/4 cups cake flour and 1 3/4 cups sugar
4 egg whites and 1 cup coconut milk
1 cup shredded coconut
2 1/2 tsp baking powder

Beat sugar and butter until fluffy; add the whites.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and coconut milk.
Fold in coconut; divide into three 8-inch pans.
Bake at 350°F for 22 minutes; layer with coconut frosting.

Orange Chocolate Marble Cake

Ribbons of orange and chocolate batter swirl together in this striking loaf with a single knife swirl.

2 1/2 cups flour and 1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup milk
Zest and juice of 1 orange, 1/3 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking powder

Make the base batter; divide it in half.
Stir orange zest and juice into one half, cocoa into the other.
Alternate spoonfuls in a loaf pan; swirl once with a knife.
Bake at 350°F for 55 minutes.

Almond Celebration Cake

Ground almonds give this celebration cake a fine, moist crumb; pair with buttercream or an apricot glaze.

200g ground almonds
200g butter and 200g sugar, 4 eggs
100g flour and 1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp almond extract

Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time with almond extract.
Fold in ground almonds, flour, and baking powder.
Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes in a lined 8-inch pan.

If you love celebration baking, you may also like our blueberry cupcakes for bite-size party favorites, our zebra cookies for something playful with tea, an elegant champagne cake for anniversaries, and cozy maple cookies when fall arrives.

Bake your way through these favorites and you will see why these ghana cake recipes belong at every Ghanaian table, baked again and again, shared with neighbors, and remembered long after the last crumb. Preheat the oven and let these ghana cake recipes fill your kitchen with the sweet smell of home.