Dessert, Cake Recipes

Granny's chocolate cake is a one-bowl wonder with cocoa, hot water, and egg whites baked into a moist single-layer square. Old-fashioned weeknight cake dusted with powdered sugar.

No-bake gumdrop peanut popcorn cake: a Bundt-shaped tower of popcorn, peanuts, and rainbow gumdrops bound by melted marshmallows and butter. A retro birthday party showpiece.

Cherry cake loaf with glace cherries suspended throughout a buttery, nutmeg-scented batter with whipped egg whites for lift. A classic British-style fruit cake that slices beautifully.

Devil's food bundt cake soaked twice in a light rum and corn syrup glaze for a deeply boozy, ultra-moist chocolate rum cake. Caribbean-French inspired.

Chocolate cherry cheesecake with a cherry liqueur-spiked filling, chocolate wafer crust, and glossy cherry pie filling on top. Melted chocolate chips and heavy cream create a silky, truffle-like texture. A make-ahead showpiece that needs 24 hours to set.

A show-stopping cheesecake with swirled chocolate and vanilla layers on a cookie crumb crust, finished with a glossy semisweet chocolate ganache glaze. Rich, creamy, and utterly indulgent.

State fair zucchini cake: a spiced sheet cake with shredded zucchini, walnuts, and golden raisins, topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting. Blue-ribbon classic.

Light lemony cheesecake made with nonfat cream cheese and condensed milk on a graham cracker base. A lower-fat cheesecake topped with fresh fruit that still feels indulgent.

Chocolate chip beer cake with sour cream, walnuts, and a cinnamon-sugar swirl baked in a tube pan. Incredibly moist with a tender, dense crumb from the beer and sour cream combo.

Coca-Cola tube cake with pecan frosting bakes a chocolate cola batter studded with mini marshmallows, then gets topped with a warm cola pecan glaze. Southern church-supper classic.

Blueberry snack cake with cinnamon, lemon zest, and flour-coated berries that stay suspended in a tender crumb. A one-bowl bake great for picnics and lunchboxes.

Cola cake: a Southern chocolate sheet cake made with real cola, melted marshmallows, cocoa, and tangy buttermilk. Fudgy, fizzy, and a one-bowl Saturday afternoon project.

European-style chocolate hazelnut cake made with ground hazelnuts and breadcrumbs instead of flour. Whipped egg whites keep it light while chocolate, butter, and cinnamon bring deep, warm flavor.

Old-fashioned strawberry cake made from scratch with fresh crushed berries folded into the batter and a warm cooked strawberry sauce spooned over every slice. No box mix, no gelatin, just real strawberries.

Coffee-soaked sponge cake set with gelatin and sweetened condensed milk for a chilled, custardy coffee dessert. Four ingredients, no baking required if you start with a store-bought sponge.

Pressed angel food cake sandwiches filled with chocolate chips, marshmallows, cherry preserves, or cinnamon sugar. Made in a sandwich maker until golden and gooey. Kids love these.