If there’s one thing Southerners know, it’s that you can’t have a party, a potluck, or a family gathering without cake. While some occasions call for towering tiers and elegant layers, others are best suited for more humble, but equally delicious loaves or sheet cakes. Regardless of what you’re celebrating, our editors’ favorite cake recipes are sure to dish the perfect slice.
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“I was 12 years old the first time I made this cake. It’s the reason I requested a KitchenAid mixer for my 13th birthday, and it’s what sparked my interest in one day working in the Southern Living Test Kitchen. I still have my same KitchenAid, and though it’s made many treats in the nearly 18 years I’ve had it, Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a recipe my mixer and I both know by heart.” –Ivy Odom, Senior Producer
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
A staff favorite with nominations from editors to Test Kitchen professionals. Most people said this was the cake they request for their birthday celebrations.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
“Far and away my favorite cake is Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. It’s never not a good option, and my grandmother used to make it for me on every birthday. She’d replace some of the water with cherry juice so the cake would be bright pink. I now make it this way for my pink-loving niece.” -Kimberly Holland, Associate Editorial Director
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Prissy Montiel
“This Milk Chocolate Bar Cake has become a family favorite. Anytime you make it, I guarantee you at least one person will ask for the recipe. And they won’t believe you when you tell them that it starts with boxed cake mix.” -Jenna Sims, Senior Digital Editor
“I am a sucker for pound cake, especially one with a delicious glaze like this one! It is the perfect pick-me-up cake and the lemon flavor is perfect with the sweetness. Next time, I’m tempted to double the batter for a mammoth bundt version!” -Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik, Digital Editor
This one of the recipes that had multiple reviews because it was so decadent. Bourbon meets browned buttercream frosting for a to-die-for combination.
Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry
“This Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake was a huge winner with my family. It’s a showstopper for sure and so delicious!” –Rebecca Baer, Senior Digital Editor
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
“I love a beautiful layer cake as much as the next person, but I’m not always ready to take on the labor of love it can be. A flourless chocolate cake will always be a favorite of mine!” –Cameron Beall, Associate Home Editor
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
“My mom and I love baking this beauty at Christmastime! It’s got a little more pizazz than a plain white cake, and it’s a fun nod to our Italian heritage (even though it’s a Southern recipe).” -Mary Shannon Hodes, Digital Editor
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner
“This 1950s family-reunion favorite is made sweeter with the addition of a cup of Coke and doubly indulgent with its thick, fudge-y frosting. The cake’s easy enough to whip up, but when pulling out the measuring cups to mix together one from scratch feels like too much work, I’ll stir together the frosting to dress up a boxed cake mix instead. (It’s an especially nice complement to classic yellow cake.)” –Betsy Watson, Senior Home Editor
