Go global with your next bake. We rounded up traditional cakes from around the world. Find decadent recipes from Germany, Italy, Mexico and more.
25+ Cakes from Around the World
Updated on Feb. 06, 2024
Jamaica: Caribbean Coconut Rum Cake
My take on those boozy treats that weigh down suitcases returning from Jamaica, this moist cake packs a rum punch. You may wish to card your guests before serving. The longer the rum soaks in, the better—overnight is best. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey
1/27
2/27
Bee Sting Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This bee sting cake (aka bienenstich) may look daunting, but it’s well worth the effort. Take each step at a time, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
(Try these other international recipes!)
You’ll love any of these doughnut recipes from around the world.
3/27
United States: Apple Stack Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom loved to bake this sky-high apple stack cake. Layer the apple goodness two days before serving. Later, a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the only topping you'll need. —LeVa Clement, Jackson, Missouri
4/27
Italy: Orange Ricotta Cake Roll
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I come from a big Italian family. When I was growing up, my mom cooked and baked many delicious meals and desserts from scratch. Now I do the same for my family. This cake is my finale to our special-occasion dinners. —Cathy Banks, Encinitas, California
Check out these chocolate desserts from around the world that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
5/27
Mexico: Classic Tres Leches Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
6/27
Austria: Sachertorte
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests will be surprised to hear that this Sacher torte recipe starts with a convenient cake mix. Each bite features chocolate, almonds and apricots. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
7/27
The Netherlands: Dutch Apple Cake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I came to Canada from Holland over 40 years ago This traditional Dutch recipe is a family favorite and has frequently gone along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario
8/27
Red Velvet Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvets I’ve had; the icing is as light as snow. For quicker assembly, you can leave the layers untrimmed and simply frost the top and side of the cake with icing. —Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
9/27
France: Chocolate Hazelnut Gateau
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Gateau (pronounced ga-toe) is the French word for any rich and fancy cake. I think you'll agree that this dense chocolate dessert fits the bill, with just the right amount of sweetness. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
10/27
Slovenia: Poteca Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Rock Springs is home to 56 nationalities, and this recipe showcases its Slavic heritage. It’s one of my favorite ethnic holiday treats. —Rachelle Stratton, Rock Springs, Wyoming
11/27
Germany: Black Forest Chocolate Torte
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
12/27
Ireland: Chocolate Guinness Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds me of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana
13/27
Italy: Cream Cheese Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Buttermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round. —Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri
14/27
United States: Lady Baltimore Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first made this cake for my father's birthday and now it is the only cake that he requests. This cake has complex flavors and is decidedly unique. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
15/27
England: Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
12 servings (1-1/2 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
In A Christmas Carol, everyone claps for plum pudding. Our family has made this pudding our own tradition, and it really is something to clap for. —Ruthanne Karel, Hudsonville, Michigan
16/27
Rustic Honey Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my boys were young, they couldn’t drink milk but they could have yogurt. This was a cake they could eat. And it’s one dessert that doesn’t taste overly sweet, which is always a nice change of pace. —Linda Leuer, Hamel, Minnesota
17/27
Mexico: Cinnamon Chocolate Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A healthy hint of cinnamon gives this chocolate cake an extra step up over the expected sheet cake. The sweet frosting is full of crunchy pecans. —Victor Clifford, San Jose, California
18/27
Germany: Oma's Apfelkuchen
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to "Grandma’s apple cake." They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio
19/27
Angel Food Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For our daughter's wedding, a friend made this lovely, airy angel food cake from a recipe she's used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I've found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa
20/27
France: Decadent Chocolate Crepe Cake
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No other dessert has wowed family and friends the way this stunning crepe cake did the first time I made it. A showstopper in every sense of the word, it features layers of tender chocolate crepes and rich white chocolate buttercream frosting draped in a semisweet chocolate ganache. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
21/27
Gingerbread Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The rich molasses and spice flavor of this old-time dessert is complemented with a buttery caramel sauce.—Joy Sparks, Muskegon, Michigan
22/27
Pound Cake
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We've always included pound cake on our family menus. Through the years I've tried many recipes, and I can honestly say this million-dollar pound cake is the best! It has a very fine, rich texture that makes it unusually smooth. That texture, plus fantastic flavor, makes this pound cake a special treat each time we serve it. —George Dunn, Jasper, Texas
23/27
France: Buche de Noel
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A yule log cake, also called a Buche de Noel, is a rolled sponge cake shaped and decorated to resemble a wooden log. This fanciful dessert is holiday baking tradition that dates back to 19th century France. This particular chocolate Yule log recipe from Bernadette Colvin of Tomball, Texas has been a favorite Christmas dessert for her family. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
24/27
Paraguay: Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm originally from Paraguay, and dulce de leche reminds me of where I came from. If you can't find it at your grocery store, try caramel ice cream topping instead. It tastes different, but this decadent dessert will still be amazing. —Sonia Lipham, Ranburne, Alabama
25/27
United States: Nutty Caramel Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We made this frozen treat for a family birthday party, and we received endless comments on it. It’s truly fantastic! Be sure to try the recipe with other ice cream flavors.—Tina Stelzl, Waxhaw, North Carolina
26/27
Sweden: Swedish Cream Apple Rings
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 rings (10 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother made this classic coffee cake for every important holiday... Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Now, I carry on the tradition. As I make them, I remember my mom, who was a lot like this recipe: soft and tasteful but full of surprises. The overnight rise let's you make the dough in advance so your morning won't be hectic.—Heather Hood, Hillsboro, Oregon
Next: Learn about the king cake!
Japan: Castella Cake
You need just four ingredients to make this popular Japanese dessert recipe by Just One Cookbook blogger Namiko Chen. The secret to a perfectly risen Castella cake? Beating the eggs until they’re thick and pale yellow.
27/27
