The Holiday Table
Show-Stopping Cakes

Show-Stopping Cakes

September 16, 2015

Skip gallery slides

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

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

Start Slideshow

1 of 30

Sweet Potato Pound Cake

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

2 of 30

Caramel Apple Cake

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

3 of 30

Buttermilk-Glazed Cherry Sheet Cake

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

4 of 30

Chocolate-Bourbon-Butterscotch Icebox Cake

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

5 of 30

The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

These layers are tender, so remove from pans carefully!

The Ultimate Carrot Cake Recipe

6 of 30

Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake

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

7 of 30

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

8 of 30

White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream

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

9 of 30

White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

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

10 of 30

Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Warm spices and molasses blend beautifully with tangy buttermilk frosting.

Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting Recipe

11 of 30

White Cake with Peppermint Frosting

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Garnish with a fondant bow or Peppermint Meringue Cookies.

White Cake with Peppermint Frosting Recipe

12 of 30

Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake

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

13 of 30

Strawberry-Almond Cake Roll

Photo: Oxmoor House

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

14 of 30

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

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

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

15 of 30

Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

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

16 of 30

Vanilla Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote

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

17 of 30

Chocolate-Almond Angel Food Cake

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

18 of 30

Spiced Caramel Bundt Cake

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

19 of 30

Chocolate Java Lava Cakes

Photo: Oxmoor House

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

20 of 30

Angel Food Cake Tiramisu

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

21 of 30

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

22 of 30

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

23 of 30

Gluten-Free Caramelized Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

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

24 of 30

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

25 of 30

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

26 of 30

Rainbow Layer Cake

Photo: Beth Branch

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

Rainbow Layer Cake Recipe

27 of 30

Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake

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

28 of 30

Flourless Chocolate Cake

From Our Sponsor: Decadent chocolate cake that is true indulgence

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

29 of 30

Cherries Jubilee Cakes

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

30 of 30

Peppermint Ice-Cream Cake

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

Account

Show-Stopping Cakes

1 of 30

Sweet Potato Pound Cake

1 of 30

2 of 30

Caramel Apple Cake

2 of 30

3 of 30

Buttermilk-Glazed Cherry Sheet Cake

3 of 30

4 of 30

Chocolate-Bourbon-Butterscotch Icebox Cake

4 of 30

5 of 30

The Ultimate Carrot Cake

5 of 30

6 of 30

Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake

6 of 30

7 of 30

Iced Pumpkin Spice Cake

7 of 30

8 of 30

White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream

8 of 30

9 of 30

White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

9 of 30

10 of 30

Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting

10 of 30

11 of 30

White Cake with Peppermint Frosting

11 of 30

12 of 30

Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake

12 of 30

13 of 30

Strawberry-Almond Cake Roll

13 of 30

14 of 30

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

14 of 30

15 of 30

Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

15 of 30

16 of 30

Vanilla Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote

16 of 30

17 of 30

Chocolate-Almond Angel Food Cake

17 of 30

18 of 30

Spiced Caramel Bundt Cake

18 of 30

19 of 30

Chocolate Java Lava Cakes

19 of 30

20 of 30

Angel Food Cake Tiramisu

20 of 30

21 of 30

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cakes

21 of 30

22 of 30

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

22 of 30

23 of 30

Gluten-Free Caramelized Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

23 of 30

24 of 30

Banana-Oatmeal Cake

24 of 30

25 of 30

Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake

25 of 30

26 of 30

Rainbow Layer Cake

26 of 30