Take a card from grandma's recipe box with these comforting vintage cake recipes. From classic chocolate layers to tropical pineapple upside down cakes, you'll be baking just like grandma.
Grandma’s 49 Best Cake Recipes
Updated on Sep. 30, 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
1/49
2/49
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
3/49
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
4/49
Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
5/49
Cherry Nut Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother made up this recipe for her children. Using Ozark-grown cherries and walnuts, she invented one they all liked. Granny always used cream from the dairy farm near her home, but the half-and half works well and is easier to find. —Diana Jennings, Lebanon, Missouri
6/49
7UP Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother gave me my first cake recipe—a pound cake using 7UP—which her grandmother had given to her. On top of being delicious, this cake represents family tradition, connection and love. —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California
7/49
Cherry Pudding Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this cherry dessert is awesome. Add it to your list of trusty potluck recipes, because this one is sure to go fast. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
8/49
Coconut Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it's a lovely end to meals throughout the year.
9/49
Carrot Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderful recipe dates back to my great-grandmother. You will love the texture the cake gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! For lighter appetites or to serve more people, cut it into smaller pieces and place them in pretty cupcake liners. —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
10/49
Dream Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandchildren absolutely love these cream-filled cupcakes, and I hope the chocolaty treats become a favorite in your home as well. —Dorothy Bahlmann, Clarksville, Iowa
11/49
Applesauce Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist applesauce cake recipe is a treasured heirloom passed down from my Grandma Stuit, who cooked for a family of 13 during the Depression. At reunions, it's the first dessert gone...including the crumbs! —Joanie Jager, Lynden, Washington
12/49
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
13/49
Jam Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I remember my Aunt Murna telling me she made this old-fashioned jam cake often when she was a young girl. Through the years, she made improvements to it, and her cake become a real family favorite. It has been a popular staple at our reunions. —Janet Robinson, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
14/49
Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
15/49
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
16/49
Gran's Apple Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California
17/49
Shortcake with Fresh Rhubarb Sauce
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings (2-1/4 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
Every spring when her rhubarb was ready, my mother-in-law chopped it up for this moist cake. If your rhubarb is too tart for the sauce, just add in some strawberries. —Rena McCalment, Sharpsville, Indiana
18/49
Lemon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia
19/49
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
20/49
Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loved his mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
21/49
Apricot Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My Aunt Anne, who is a great cook, gave me a taste of this golden upside-down cake and I couldn't believe how delicious it was. Apricots give it an elegant twist from traditional pineapple versions. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta
22/49
Root Beer Float Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
23/49
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
24/49
Nana's Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint Frosting
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Even though Nana is no longer with us, her treats bring me so much joy every time
I bake them. For a more indulgent version, double the frosting and pile it on high! —Chekota Hunter, Cassville, Missouri
25/49
Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Cinnamon Frosting
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom made this for me, and one bite can completely take me back to my childhood. You can easily convert it into a great carrot cake recipe: just use grated carrots in place of pumpkin and add raisins. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
26/49
Pennsylvania Dutch Funny Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I can still remember my grandma serving this delicious cake on the big wooden table in her farm kitchen. Every time I bake this unusual cake, it takes me back to those special days at Grandma's. —Diane Ganssle, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
27/49
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
28/49
Grandma Pietz's Cranberry Cake Pudding
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings (2 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
For generations, our family has handed down this cake recipe starring cranberries. Simple and unusual, it remains a treasured family heirloom. —Lisa Potter, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin
29/49
Chocolate Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
30/49
Buttermilk Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Now that I've retired from teaching, I have more time to bake. This buttermilk pound cake is the one I make most often. It is a truly southern recipe, and one I think can't be topped—once people taste it, they won't go back to their other recipes with buttermilk. —Gracie Hanchey, De Ridder, Louisiana
31/49
Maple Carrot Cupcakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I come from a line of family cooks and have liked to cook and bake since I was young. Mother and Grandmom were always in the kitchen cooking up something delicious. These carrot cupcakes were Grandmom's specialty, and we always have them at family gatherings. —Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio, Vineland, New Jersey
32/49
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
33/49
Breakfast Apple Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Baked in a pretty tube pan and drizzled with icing, this breakfast cake will be a highlight of your holiday menu. I adapted the recipe from one of my grandmother's. —Shaunda Wenger, Nibley, Utah
34/49
Shoofly Cupcakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These were my grandmother's specialty. To keep them from disappearing too quickly, she used to store them out of sight. —Beth Adams, Jacksonville, Florida
35/49
Black Forest Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As far as I know, this cake recipe can be traced back to my German great-grandma. When I got married, my mother gave me a copy and I hope to someday pass it down to my children. —Stephanie Travis, Fallon, Nevada
36/49
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
37/49
Cherry Cola Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
38/49
Citrus Berry Shortcake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a quick and easy classic with a soft shortcake layer. Sometimes, I'll sprinkle blueberries over the top for an especially colorful finish. —Meryl Herr, Grand Rapids, Michigan
39/49
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
40/49
Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my coworkers brought this cake to a luncheon almost 40 years ago. It was so delicious that I asked for the recipe. I have baked it ever since, and it's always a hit! —Jackie Bergenheier, Wichita Falls, Texas
41/49
Red Velvet Marble Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I watched my grandma prepare her red velvet showstopper many times for family get-togethers. The fluffy butter frosting perfectly complements the flavor of this gorgeous cake.—Jodi Anderson, Overbrook, Kansas
42/49
Lemon Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Usher in spring with this lemon cupcake recipe. It's a recipe from my mother that I spiced up a bit. —Bertina Nicholas-Johnson, Waynesboro, Virginia
43/49
Chocolate-Cherry Brownie Cake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother taught me the tricks to making this cake, and I've added my own special touches. The melted chocolate keeps the icing from being too dry and gives it a texture similar to chocolate ice cream. I have more requests for the icing than I do anything else! —Susan Hayes, Massapequa, New York
44/49
Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
45/49
Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Frosting
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist chocolate cake recipe with coffee reminds me of my grandmother because it was one of her specialties. I bake it often for family parties, and it always brings back fond memories. The cake is light and airy with a delicious chocolate taste. This recipe is a keeper! —Patricia Kreitz, Richland, Pennsylvania
46/49
Pineapple Carrot Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist cake with cream cheese frosting is the best I've ever eaten. It's so simple, too, because it uses two jars of baby food instead of fresh carrots that need to be grated. —Jeanette McKenna, Vero Beach, Florida
47/49
Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chiffon cake folds whipped egg whites into its batter and utilizes oil to create a light, airy, moist texture. Mildly sweet with notes of vanilla, it's a simple yet elegant dessert for any occasion. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
48/49
Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
True to its name, a poke cake involves poking holes in a baked cake. Next, you'll add a layer of bright strawberry gelatin, letting it sink down into the holes for a colorful (and sweet!) effect. Top the cake with whipped topping and sliced strawberries so each bite is creamy and delicious. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
49/49
Chocolate Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our chocolate Bundt cake recipe calls for melted chocolate, baking cocoa and espresso powder in the batter to ensure each slice is rich and decadent. Make this cake for guests who are chocolate lovers—it will be a hit! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
