When your sweet tooth is calling, answer with one of these gorgeous contest-winning cakes!
44 Contest-Winning Cakes You’ll Want on Your Dessert Table
Updated on Apr. 23, 2024
California Lemon Pound Cake
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I’m always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
1/44
2/44
Dark Chocolate Pecan Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Made in a single loaf pan, this doubly good chocolate cake has a nutty praline layer and two layers of fluffy whipped cream. This is the only cake my husband really likes. —Laura Draper, Garfield, Washington
3/44
Butter Pecan Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the ever-popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida
4/44
Blackberry-Orange Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother made luscious fruit pies and cobblers using blackberries from her garden. I decided to follow her lead and create a blackberry cake that's always lovely with a summer meal. —Lisa M. Varner, El Paso, Texas
5/44
Strawberry Shortcake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I grew up helping my mom make a lot in our farmhouse kitchen; strawberry shortcakes, roasts, soups and pies. This sunny strawberry shortcake recipe brings back memories of family summers on the farm. —Janet Becker, Anacortes, Washington
6/44
Lemon Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist, airy chiffon cake was my dad's favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, but whenever I make this dessert my family is thrilled! —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington
7/44
Contest-Winning Chocolate Angel Food Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I take this different kind of angel food cake to church bake sales, it goes before I can get it on the table!—Mary Ann Iverson, Woodville, Wisconsin
8/44
Citrus Cornmeal Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cornmeal adds a rustic quality to this delicate dessert flavored with citrus and almond. It makes a great holiday party hostess gift and is sure to be a staple in your recipe collection. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
9/44
Grandma's Christmas Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings (2-2/3 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite of this old-fashioned spice cake will bring back memories. Loaded with raisins and nuts, it tastes extra special drizzled with the rich buttery sauce. —Linda Stemen, Monroeville, Indiana
10/44
Carrot Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas any time we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan
11/44
Rhubarb Berry Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I had leftover rhubarb and wanted to create something fresh. With blueberries, strawberries and dried cranberries on hand, I discovered I had a berry upside-down cake. —June Paul, Portage, Wisconsin
12/44
Mocha-Hazelnut Glazed Angel Food Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this recipe because it combines three of my favorite flavors: coffee, hazelnuts and cherries. —Joan Pecsek, Chesapeake, Virginia
13/44
Zucchini Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I asked my grandmother for this recipe after trying these irresistible spice cupcakes at her home. I love their creamy caramel frosting. They're such a scrumptious dessert, you actually forget you're eating your vegetables, too! —Virginia Lapierre, Greensboro Bend, Vermont
14/44
Pumpkin Torte
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This beautiful layered cake has a creamy filling with a mild pumpkin flavor and a little spice. It is quick and always turns out so well. The nuts and caramel topping add a nice finishing touch. —Trixie Fisher, Piqua, Ohio
15/44
Chunky Apple Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California
16/44
Lemon Meringue Angel Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it's the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I'm not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve, and each slice is virtually fat free. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
17/44
Mississippi Mud Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake features a fudgy brownielike base topped with marshmallow creme and a nutty frosting. Serve big slices with glasses of cold milk or steaming mugs of coffee. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky
18/44
Down East Blueberry Buckle
Total Time
45 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This buckle won a contest at my daughter’s college. The prize was four lobsters, but the real reward was the smile on our daughter’s face. —Dianne van der Veen, Plymouth, Massachusetts
19/44
20/44
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
32 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I bake over 200 of these cupcakes for our church suppers, and we always run out. If you can't find Key lime juice, use lime juice. Just add a tad more sugar. —Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, Minnesota
21/44
Cranberry Pecan Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At our house, cranberries are a favorite. I made this dessert for the first time in the 1990s. It started out as a pineapple upside down cake—I just changed a few things around! It keeps and travels well, so it’s perfect for taking to church dinners. And we love to share it with our son and grandchildren. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
22/44
Peachy Gingerbread Cake Roll
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My father loved gingerbread so I combined two or three recipes to create this one for him. This fruity, spiced cake roll gets kudos every time I serve it.
—Dawn DePew, Blacklick, Ohio
23/44
German Chocolate Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This German chocolate cake is my husband’s favorite! Each bite has crunch from the pecans, and sweetness from coconut and chocolate. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio
24/44
White Texas Sheet Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake gets better the longer it sits, so I try to make it a day ahead. My mother-in-law introduced this deliciously rich sheet cake to me. With its creamy frosting and light almond flavor, no one can stop at just one piece! —Joanie Ward, Brownsburg, Indiana
25/44
Easy Apple Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, I found this old-fashioned easy apple cake that is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it's quick to fix, and when it's served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, it's one of my family’s very favorites. —Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio
26/44
Chocolate-Coconut Angel Cupcakes
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My guests are never satisfied with just one of these, but that's OK because they are so light. The meringue-like tops make them different, and the chocolate and coconut make them memorable. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
27/44
Sacher Torte Squares
Total Time
55 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sacher torte is a Viennese cake that requires several steps. My squares are an easy alternative, but they still feature the classic apricot and chocolate flavors. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
28/44
Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom and I bought a jar of cookie butter to try it out, and we fell in love with it. I knew the flavor would go well with maple syrup and pecans, so I came up with this cake. I like to make a pretty design on the top of the cake with pecan halves. —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland
29/44
Apple-Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California
30/44
Mini Strawberry Shortcake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Back when store-bought shortcake was an unheard-of thing, my grandmother passed this mini strawberry shortcake recipe down to my mother. Mother later shared it with me, and I've since given it to my daughter. —Althea Heers, Jewell, Iowa
31/44
Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. mdash;Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
32/44
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love peanut butter and chocolate, so I combined recipes to blend the two. This chocolate peanut butter cake is heavenly served plain or topped with ice cream. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
33/44
Cream Cheese Chocolate Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Smooth cream cheese inside makes these cupcakes so rich. The classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate chips comes through in every yummy bite. You'll be asked to make them again and again. —Shirley Dunbar, Mojave, California
34/44
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because I'm our town's postmaster, I can bake only in my spare time. I especially enjoy making desserts such as this one. It tastes amazing as is, or tuck it under ice cream and chocolate syrup like a hot fudge sundae! —Karen Conrad, East Troy, Wisconsin
35/44
Cardamom Pumpkin Pudding Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This no-egg cake is quick, easy and bursting with flavor. I like to serve it with ice cream or whipped cream. —J. Fleming, Almonte, Ontario
36/44
Orange Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The delicate orange flavor of this simply delicious cake is perfect for rounding out a rich meal. The orange glaze would also be a nice way to top off slices of your favorite angel food cake. —Marjorie Ebert, Conewango Valley, New York
37/44
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 more than 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
38/44
Chocolate Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chocolate pound cake is one of my favorite cakes to bake. A friend of mine gave me this recipe years ago. Somehow it just gets better each time you bake it! —Doris Fletcher, Hendersonville, North Carolina
39/44
German Plum Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this stunning cake in autumn with apples and pears, but each year I secretly can't wait for summer to roll back around so I can make plum kuchen. —Anna Daley, Montague, Prince Edward Island
40/44
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
41/44
Fruit Cake
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my own fruitcake recipe, and it's a family favorite. I think it has just the right mix of nuts and fruit. —Allene Spence, Delbarton, West Virginia
42/44
Apple Pear Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my sister Catherine made her apple cake for me, I knew I needed the recipe. For my version, I added some pears from the trees on our acreage. The resulting apple-pear cake is so moist and tastes so good. Now every time I make it, people want my recipe. —Mary Ann Lees, Centreville, Alabama
43/44
Orange Dream Mini Cupcakes
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The bright taste of these cute cupcakes reminds me and my friends of orange-and-vanilla frozen treats. —Jen Shepherd, St. Peters, Missouri
44/44
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
