Our 10 Most Popular Layer Cakes

This five-star cake was mentioned multiple times in the comments, with readers sharing that it’s an all-time family-favorite. One reader said: “Everyone loved this cake! My mother-in-law (a huge icing lover!!) asked if I could add even more frosting next time. It may have been the best part.”

The Hummingbird might be our most popular cake of all time with readers making it for many years. One reader raved: “This is a wonderful cake and I never change anything ❤️ it comes out perfect every time! Our family and friends love it and look forward to me bringing it when it’s made.”

Readers often tell us that if they bring this Carrot Cake anywhere, it’s the only dessert they are ever asked to bring back – again and again. (We love to hear it!) This three-layer cake owes its “best” title to three key ingredients: canned crushed pineapple, flaked coconut, and chopped nuts. 

As soon as you slice into this cake, the crowd goes wild for those beautiful red and white layers, And while it’s impressive looking, the rich and velvety cake finished with decadent cream cheese frosting is absolutely delicious.

Another very popular cake that Southern Living readers love to make. In fact, one reader told us this was the biggest hit at her Church auction: “Made this cake for a Church cake auction, won best tasting cake and sold for $2000.00! Benefits went to the youth group for a mission trip… made my heart jump for joy!”

“Excellent!” “Showstopper!” Those are often the words used to describe this dessert, and we couldn’t agree more. Not only does this rich and creamy cake taste delicious, but it’s a true beauty. One reader noted: “This is my new Easter Cake. It was so rich and creamy. I’m not a big fan of coconut but in this cake I didn’t even mind. A showstopper!”

Our most-talked about cake because of its secret pantry ingredient, which brings back many fond memories for readers that we love to hear: “What a memory! My great-grandmother always made the best chocolate cakes and my great-grandfather loved them, but he hated mayo. One day he came home early and caught Grandma making a cake with mayo and would NEVER EAT ANOTHER BITE. (More for us!)”

While we always hope our readers will make our recipes for celebratory occasions, it’s so meaningful to hear how our cakes have become a part of your special memories too: “Twenty-one years ago this April, my mom made my wedding cake from a recipe in a Southern living wedding magazine. It was an orange layer cake sweetened with orange juice and honey, I believe. I think I still have the recipe somewhere (and the magazine!). It was a spectacular cake mostly because my mom makes everything great but also because it came from Southern Living!”

We often get lots of honest feedback (good and not-so-good), when we publish a new recipe – but this cake had nothing but rave reviews all around. In fact, readers shared the following: “It’s excellent!” “This cake knocked it out of the park!” and “I brought this to the potluck and it disappeared in minutes!” Mahogany cake, which is iced with a perfect Ermine frosting, is moist, soft, and fluffy with a mild chocolate flavor.

How many layers is too many? Well, we don’t think there’s such thing as too many layers–especially when a cake tastes this good. When Ivy Odom, our Senior Lifestyle Editor, shared this cake with us, she said it was the recipe she requested every birthday growing up in Georgia. The cake also brought back memories and stories from readers too: “I grew up eating this cake at my Grandma’s home (a little west of Moultrie in Colquitt County, GA). Whenever we went to Grandma’s for Sunday dinner, which was most every Sunday, this cake was to be found on her ‘freezer locker’ desert bar. I have never seen it served anywhere else but South Georgia.”