The Holiday Table
Show-Stopping Cakes

Show-Stopping Cakes

September 16, 2015

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Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Kick off the holiday season with 30 days of our most spectacular cake recipes.

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Sweet Potato Pound Cake

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Allison R. Banks

Bored with sweet potato casserole? Try this sweet potato pound cake, a twist on traditional pound cake that features nutrient-rich sweet potatoes. It's the perfect addition to holiday dessert tables.

Sweet Potato Pound Cake Recipe

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Caramel Apple Cake

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This cake is topped with sauteed apple slices and drizzled in a delicious Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce.

Caramel Apple Cake Recipe

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Buttermilk-Glazed Cherry Sheet Cake

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

If you're ready to step up your brunch game, this beautiful cake will definitely do the trick. Serve with lots (and lots) of coffee.

Buttermilk-Glazed Cherry Sheet Cake Recipe

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Chocolate-Bourbon-Butterscotch Icebox Cake

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Layer upon layer of gorgeous cake. What else do you need in a dessert?

Chocolate-Bourbon-Butterscotch Icebox Cake Recipe

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The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

These layers are tender, so remove from pans carefully!

The Ultimate Carrot Cake Recipe

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Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake

Credit: Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo; Styling: Kelly All

A polenta cake from pastry chef Hannah Buoye, of A16 Rockridge in Oakland, was the model for this dense, moist dessert. As the sliced lemons bake under the cake and absorb butter and brown sugar, they take on a marmalade-like quality. Be sure the cake is fully baked before you remove it from the oven (see step 6), or it may sink.

Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake Recipe

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Iced Pumpkin Spice Cake

From Our Sponsor: A pumpkin cake recipe with golden raisins and pumpkin pie spice topped with a white drizzle and nuts for a fall treat

Iced Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe

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White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This melt-in-your-mouth cake will be the star of your holiday meal. Your guests will be begging for the recipe!

White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream Recipe

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White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Top this cake with Sugar-Coated Orange Slices and Sparkling Cherries.

White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting Recipe

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Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Warm spices and molasses blend beautifully with tangy buttermilk frosting.

Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting Recipe

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White Cake with Peppermint Frosting

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Garnish with a fondant bow or Peppermint Meringue Cookies.

White Cake with Peppermint Frosting Recipe

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Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake

Credit: Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Eva Smith, 99, Birmingham, Ala. (grandma of Margaret Barnhart, All You integrated account manager) "My cake is constantly being requested for birthdays."

Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake Recipe

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Strawberry-Almond Cake Roll

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House

Don't panic--this strawberry and whipped cream-filled cake is surprisingly easy to roll.
Strawberry-Almond Cake Roll Recipe

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No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

From our sponsor: Creamy pumpkin cheesecake with just the right amount of spice

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

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Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Substitute extra cream for rum in the sauce, if you like. For a thicker glaze, add the whole 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, whisking constantly, as the glaze begins to cool in the pan. For a sheer, saucy glaze, use less powdered sugar.

Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze Recipe

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Vanilla Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House

The lack of gluten in this angel food cake makes it taste better than the wheat-based variety--it's missing that tiny bit of chew. The white rice flour, cornstarch, and just a little brown rice flour along with the egg whites give the cake a light, airy texture, resulting in a gluten-free cake that tastes simply heavenly.
Vanilla Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote Recipe

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Chocolate-Almond Angel Food Cake

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House

This is not your typical angel food cake. The texture is still light, but the chocolate and almond add a level of decadence that takes it a few steps beyond the classic.
Chocolate-Almond Angel Food Cake Recipe

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Spiced Caramel Bundt Cake

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House

Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg give this gluten-free cake its signature spiced flavor, and applesauce lends moistness while allowing you to use less oil. A drizzle of golden caramel syrup is the finishing touch, making this the perfect "ta-da!" dessert to serve at your next dinner party or ladies' tea.
Spiced Caramel Bundt Cake Recipe

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Chocolate Java Lava Cakes

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House

These sumptuous chocolate-coffee concoctions, with their rich molten interior, are a chocolate lover's dream.
Chocolate Java Lava Cakes Recipe

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Angel Food Cake Tiramisu

Credit: Photo: Kat Teutsch; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Debbi Bender, 47, Hendersonville, N.C.

"I make this indulgent recipe year-round--it always gets wonderful reviews."
Angel Food Cake Tiramisu Recipe

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cakes

From Our Sponsor: Melted peanut butter oozes over a chocolate mug cake recipe made in the microwave for a quick sweet treat

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cakes Recipe

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Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Feeling rowdy? Spin this into a tipsy cake by substituting up to 2 Tbsp. vodka or bourbon for the lemon juice in the frosting.
Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake Recipe

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Gluten-Free Caramelized Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Missy Neville Crawford

The rum will ignite when you tilt the pan; this burns off the alcohol.

Gluten-Free Caramelized Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe

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Banana-Oatmeal Cake

Karen Davis, 48, Louisville, Ky.

"Over the course of 14 years, I've been tweaking this recipe to make it healthier, and my family still loves it!"
Banana-Oatmeal Cake Recipe

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Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake

Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake features a refreshing twist to this Italian specialty dessert for the perfect end to a summer meal.
Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake Recipe

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Rainbow Layer Cake

Credit: Photo: Beth Branch

Bring a little sunshine to a fall day with this must-make layer cake.

Rainbow Layer Cake Recipe

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Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

You can assemble this glorious cake up to two days ahead; store at room temp. Also, you can freeze cooled layers up to a month in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake Recipe

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Flourless Chocolate Cake

From Our Sponsor: Decadent chocolate cake that is true indulgence

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Cherries Jubilee Cakes

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Santa's secret: No one will ever guess these elegant little cakes came from a box of white cake mix and a can of cherries.
Cherries Jubilee Cakes Recipe

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Peppermint Ice-Cream Cake

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

This is a towering peppermint-lover's dream. Clear about 14 square inches of room in your freezer before you begin.
Peppermint Ice-Cream Cake Recipe

Replay gallery

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Show-Stopping Cakes

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Sweet Potato Pound Cake

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Caramel Apple Cake

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Buttermilk-Glazed Cherry Sheet Cake

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Chocolate-Bourbon-Butterscotch Icebox Cake

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The Ultimate Carrot Cake

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Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake

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Iced Pumpkin Spice Cake

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White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream

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White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

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Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting

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White Cake with Peppermint Frosting

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Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake

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Strawberry-Almond Cake Roll

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No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

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Vanilla Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote

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Chocolate-Almond Angel Food Cake

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Spiced Caramel Bundt Cake

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Chocolate Java Lava Cakes

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Angel Food Cake Tiramisu

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cakes

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Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

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Gluten-Free Caramelized Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

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Banana-Oatmeal Cake

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Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake

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Rainbow Layer Cake

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