Carrot cake doesn’t usually ask for much. It’s a humble, nostalgic dessert—spiced and sweet, cozy under a thick blanket of cream cheese frosting. It shows up at Easter or maybe at a spring potluck, ...

Learn how to build an easy layer cake from a sponge baked in one 13-x-9 pan. And don't worry, there's no special equipment needed.

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the middle position. 2. Grease two 8-inch round metal cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. 3. Whisk together the flour, ...