Sweet bread is often shaped as a loaf or bun, while cake is typically baked in round or rectangular pans and can be layered and frosted. Sweet bread requires time for yeast fermentation, while cake relies on chemical leavening agents for rising.

A bun is a type of bread roll, typically filled with savory fillings (for example hamburger). A bun may also refer to a sweet cake in certain parts of the world. Though they come in many shapes and sizes, buns are most commonly round, and are generally hand-sized or smaller.