944 better cake recipes

Old-fashioned double-lemon cake: a tender butter cake made with zest-infused lemon sugar, soaked in hot lemon-sugar glaze, and finished with lemon frosting. Served with rum-kissed lemon-zested strawberries for a bright spring dessert.

Almond marble cake with swirls of cocoa through a light, airy batter made with real almond paste and whipped egg whites. Topped with sliced almonds and baked golden in a loaf pan.

Plum torte presses Italian prune plums into a buttery cake batter, dusts with cinnamon-sugar and lemon juice, and bakes for an hour. The classic NYT September torte that freezes for winter.

Bourbon banana chiffon cake with mashed banana folded into a fluffy egg-white batter and finished with a bourbon-milk glaze. Garnished with fresh strawberries and banana for a Southern dessert showpiece.

From-scratch pineapple upside-down cake baked in cast-iron skillets with a caramelized brown sugar and Karo syrup topping, pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, and optional pecans. A buttermilk batter with folded egg whites for extra lift.

Orange Kiss-Me Cake: a vintage Pillsbury bake-off winner with a whole ground orange (peel, pulp, and pith) folded into the batter. Topped with a warm orange juice drizzle and cinnamon-sugar walnuts.

Pineapple upside-down cake with a cornmeal batter, fresh pineapple caramelized in Madeira wine and brown sugar, baked in a cast iron skillet. Extra-rich with whole eggs plus extra yolks and a hint of nutmeg.

Dense fruitcake layered with applesauce batter, citron, and nuts. Molasses and warm spices add depth. This slow-baked cake takes 2 hours at low heat for proper moisture and texture. A holiday classic.

Beatles cookies are soft, cake-like drop cookies made with sour cream, chocolate chips, and a cinnamon-sugar topping. The tangy batter and warm spice finish make these an addictive cookie jar staple.

Carrot cake with a chocolatey twist: cocoa powder, chocolate chips, warm spices, and shredded carrots all in one batter, topped with cream cheese frosting. Moist, spiced, and packed with surprises in every bite.

Mom's apple cake loaded with five fresh apples, crushed nuts, and cinnamon in a one-bowl oil batter. No eggs, no butter, and incredibly moist. Swap applesauce for oil for a lighter version.

Poppy seed breakfast cake baked in a Bundt pan with buttermilk, almond extract, and a hidden cinnamon-sugar swirl through the center. Light, tender crumb from whipped egg whites folded into the batter.

Holiday cheddar date cake bakes a tube of brown sugar batter loaded with shredded sharp cheddar, dates, pecans, candied cherries, and golden raisins. A surprising savory-sweet fruitcake that keeps for 6 weeks.

Black bottom cupcakes drop a sweet cream cheese filling studded with chocolate chips into chocolate cake mix batter, baking into a self-frosting cupcake. Travel-friendly picnic dessert with no icing to melt.

Classic county fair funnel cakes fried golden and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. A simple egg, milk, and flour batter swirled into hot oil for crisp lacy edges and a tender middle.

Sheila's apple pie tops green apples with a buttery batter made from pancake mix, sugar, egg, and butter. The unconventional shortcut topping bakes into a tender, cake-like crust over tart apple filling.