Food and Recipes Desserts Cakes Grandma's 25 Favorite Birthday Cake Recipes 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 August 13, 2024 Close Photo: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL Our grandparents taught us that the most memorable way to celebrate someone on their birthday (besides showering them with warm wishes) is to bake them a cake. While there are certain desserts that are associated with specific holidays and occasions (pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, bunny cake on Easter, peach cobbler for 4th of July), anything really goes when it comes to birthday celebrations. As each year rolls around, some family members make requests that can range from "I'd love your famous red velvet cake" to "anything with peanut butter, please." Others are more nostalgic and look forward to the same type of cake they've been enjoying since they were young kids. And then there are those who just want to be surprised – after all, if it's made-from-scratch it's bound to be delicious. Whether you're celebrating someone turning 1 or 100, we have more than two dozen recipes that are sure to dazzle and delight. Grandma's Favorite Chocolate Desserts 01 of 25 Classic Birthday Cake Micah A. Leal Hooray for homemade sheet cake that doesn't disappoint. This recipe features the flavor and spirit of confetti cake and is finished with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Get The Recipe 02 of 25 Pink Champagne Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Kelly Pretty in pink. Say cheers to a two-layer dessert that looks impressive but actually starts with boxed cake mix. Get The Recipe 03 of 25 Cookie Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Not everything needs to be a fancy layer cake. (And who doesn't love a cookie cake?) This recipe is a little bit salty and a little bit sweet, and will remind us all of home. Get The Recipe 04 of 25 1234 Cake With Chocolate Frosting Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner Always a go-to celebration cake, this simple recipe is just as it name implies: as easy as 1234. Plus, it includes ingredients you likely have in your pantry, which means you can pull it together without a ton of time. Get The Recipe 05 of 25 Chocolate Poke Cake Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Break out the 9x13 pan because this is the dream dessert for a chocolate lover. Our simple recipe is rich and fudgy and topped with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate chips. Get The Recipe 06 of 25 Tres Leches Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Ready to impress? For the person who likes a little something more than vanilla or chocolate, this popular Latin American dessert is made with a light, airy sponge cake that is saturated with three different types of milk. Perfect idea for an unforgettable day. Get The Recipe 07 of 25 One-Bowl Chocolate Cake ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL Say hello to the easiest chocolate dessert. The best part is that you can make this moist decadent cake in one bowl. Get The Recipe 08 of 25 Hummingbird Cake Southern Living For someone who wants a classic celebration, you can't go wrong with this iconic Southern cake. Get The Recipe 09 of 25 Peanut Butter Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Peanut butter lovers, rejoice! This cake is made with creamy frosting and crunchy peanuts, and will be a recipe worth holding onto for years to come. Get The Recipe 10 of 25 Cookies And Cream Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Kelly Whip up this decadent dessert for the one who always requests a scoop (or pint!) of the rich and creamy ice cream flavor. Get The Recipe 11 of 25 Eclair Cake Molly Bolton/Southern Living Surprise that special someone with a cake inspired by the traditional pastry. This cake combines graham crackers, vanilla pudding, and chocolate ganache for an out-of-this-world treat. Get The Recipe 12 of 25 Red Velvet Cake With White Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones There are cakes that shine. And then there are cakes that steal the birthday show. Enter this classic red velvet cake with extra rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Get The Recipe 13 of 25 Moravian Sugar Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox No one says every cake must start with a box of cake mix. Cue the Moravian Sugar Cake, a North Carolina specialty that's made with mashed potatoes and topped with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Get The Recipe 14 of 25 Cheerwine Bundt Cake Jessica Furniss Why make something typical when you can bake something extra fun? This showstopper puts a regional spin on everyone's favorite Bundt. Get The Recipe 15 of 25 Red Velvet Mug Cakes Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox For the person who loves the flavor of red velvet, but would prefer a simple, single-serving. Trust us, this mini is quite delightful. Get The Recipe 16 of 25 Jimmy Carter Dessert Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Well, if it's fit for a president.... then we assume this will make anyone extra happy on their birthday. This layered dessert is crunchy, creamy, chocolaty, and full of peanut flavor. Get The Recipe 17 of 25 Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake Courtney West Rich, buttery, and beyond decadent, this old-fashioned caramel cake is actually easy to make and wows at every gathering. Get The Recipe 18 of 25 Million Dollar Cake Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Let's be honest, is there any better compliment than baking a cake for someone that tastes like a million bucks? This light and fluffy cake comes together easily with boxed cake mix and instant pudding, and has a tropical twist. Get The Recipe 19 of 25 Key Lime Cheesecake Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Two classics—Key Lime and cheesecake—come together in one unforgettable dessert. If you are looking for something a bit different than the typical birthday cake, this recipe is perfect anytime. Get The Recipe 20 of 25 Chocolate Mayonnaise Sheet Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Hosting a crowd? Transform the all-time favorite into a sheet cake so there's plenty to go around. Get The Recipe 21 of 25 Banana Coconut Cobbler Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox A flavorful twist on the classic banana cobbler. This recipe is flavored with cardamom, coconut milk, lime, and will be a tasty surprise. Get The Recipe 22 of 25 Ambrosia Cupcakes Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Giulietta Pinna; Food Styling: Ali Ramee Made with love for the Southerner who always requests Aunt Betty's famous ambrosia at every family affair. Get The Recipe 23 of 25 Jell-O Pie FRED HARDY, FOOD STYLIST: MARGARET MONROE DICKEY, PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE Welcome an old-fashioned favorite to the birthday festivities. Luscious lemon-flavored gelatin crumbles elevate this creamy no-bake pie. Get The Recipe 24 of 25 Lemon Lush Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Citrus fans will be over-the-moon digging into this homemade treat. This dessert comes together with cookie crust, cream cheese filling, lemon pudding, and whipped cream. Get The Recipe 25 of 25 Best Carrot Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox There are people who like carrot cake, and then there are people who really like carrot cake. Whip up this dessert for their special day and plan on not having a crumb left in sight. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit