Food and Recipes Desserts Cakes The 20 Best Cake Recipes, According To Our Readers By Krissy Tiglias Krissy Tiglias Krissy Tiglias is the General Manager of Southern Living. She joined the team in 2015 as Executive Editor, and has been working on both both print and digital content ever since. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 14, 2024 Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox The Southern Living Test Kitchen has developed hundreds of cake recipes over the years, and we love turning to our readers to find out which are tried-and-true favorites. Last week we asked our Facebook followers to share their go-to Southern Living cake recipes and, to no surprise, the response was overwhelming. Here are the 20 most popular cake recipes, according to you, our readers. 70 From-Scratch Cake Recipes That Are Sure To Impress 01 of 20 Hummingbird Cake FRED HARDY II; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROPS STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN It would be impossible to count how many readers voted for the Hummingbird cake. This classic, which you make all year long, was definitely the top rated recipe on the list. get the recipe 02 of 20 Strawberry Lemonade Strawberry and lemons don't just make a flavorful combination, they also look simply dazzling together. "A family favorite," says reader Kay Gabriele. get the recipe 03 of 20 Pineapple Coconut Cake Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley Presentation is clearly important to our readers since so many beautiful layer cakes made the top 20. This cake features another tasty combination that brings together sweet pineapple, cream cheese, and toasted coconut. get the recipe 04 of 20 Million Dollar Pound Cake Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Let's be honest, it would not be a Southern Living round-up without this fan favorite. While there were many votes for different flavored pound cakes – Chocolate, Key Lime, Sour Cream– this classic remains the most popular. get the recipe 05 of 20 German Chocolate Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Chocolate is always a crowdpleaser, and this recipe was one of the most requested from the group. In fact, even baking this cake brings joy, according to one reviewer who said: "I absolutely loved the entire process of making this cake." get the recipe 06 of 20 Italian Cream Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This showstopper is made with buttermilk, coconut, and cream cheese frosting, and is always a wonderful addition to any dessert spread. One 5-star reviewer shared the following: "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!" get the recipe 07 of 20 Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Texas sheet cake needs no introduction and deserves all the accolades. It's a great recipe for potlucks, picnics, or birthday parties. One reader shared: "Super moist and decadent dessert. Paired well with vanilla ice cream. Will definitely make again" get the recipe 08 of 20 Best Carrot Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This recipe received so many votes that it is clear readers rely on it for all types of celebrations, from holidays to church gatherings to birthday celebrations. Reader Sue Waters commented: "Your carrot cake from the 70s remains my all time favorite!" get the recipe 09 of 20 Classic Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Molly Bolton/Southern Living Not only is this cake delicious, but it looks impressive sitting on the buffet table. The two layers of moist, flavorful cake pair perfectly with creamy cream cheese frosting. get the recipe 10 of 20 One Bowl Chocolate Cake ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL We hear you– you love your chocolate recipes–especially when they are delicious and easy. It does not get any easier than this cake, which comes together in one bowl. Miracles do happen. get the recipe 11 of 20 Mahogany Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox While this is a newly published recipe, it is getting lots of rave reviews from readers because it is an old-fashioned favorite. Mahogany cake is known for its reddish-brown mahogany color, which pre-dates red-velvet, which we know y'all love. get the recipe 12 of 20 Lane Cake Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Lane Cake is one of the most iconic Southern recipes of all-time, so we were not surprised to see votes for this beauty. One reviewer shared: "Hummingbird cake has been our family favorite for decades, but this Lane cake is simply outstanding! Decadent and delicious. The texture is beyond words. This Texas family now has two favorite cakes for our holiday celebrations." get the recipe 13 of 20 Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton Southerners know that mayonnaise is a magical ingredient for so many recipes – including cakes. This recipe is proof that mayo makes the perfect partner to chocolate for a to-die-for dessert. get the recipe 14 of 20 Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake Courtney West Every Southern baker knows that there's nothing more delightful than making a caramel cake for friends and family. This cake is rich, buttery, and pretty easy to make. get the recipe 15 of 20 Mississippi Mud Cake Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox It's clear from your responses that sheet cakes are some of your favorite desserts to bake. We couldn't agree more. Marshmallows and pecans are the secret ingredients to this recipe, which is finished with a rich chocolate frosting. get the recipe 16 of 20 Key Lime Pound Cake Dotdash Meredith To no surprise, pound cakes made the list multiple times, but Key Lime was a fan-favorite. This recipe gives a tropical punch to the buttery classic. get the recipe 17 of 20 Classic Strawberry Shortcake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox There was no way we would publish a top 20 list and not include Strawberry Shortcake. We agree that there really isn't anything better than sweet, juicy strawberries spooned over moist and flaky biscuits. get the recipe 18 of 20 Classic Coconut Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Coconut lovers, prepare to drool. The ingredient shines in this impressive layer cake with the coconut sponge and coconut filling, and then finished with a light and airy whipped cream frosting. get the recipe 19 of 20 Coca-Cola Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox When we like something, we stick with it time and time again. This recipe turned Southern cola into a rich and moist chocolate cake. get the recipe 20 of 20 Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley We know Southern Living readers love coconut, but they also love their pineapple desserts too. This retro cake will bring back fond memories of our parents and grandparents. Not only is this crowdpleaser delicious, but it also comes together in just 15 minutes. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit