Bake Sale Classics: Cakes

Updated February 23, 2010

Add beauty to your bake sale table and cash to your coffers by offering classic cakes that are sure to sell.

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Sour Cream-Lemon Pound Cake

Credit: Randy Mayor

Sour Cream-Lemon Pound Cake Recipe

Pound cakes are ideal for bake sales because they're easy to make, easy to transport, and always popular. Another plus is that you can bake pound cakes ahead of time and freeze until the day of the sale.

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German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

For cakes with decorative toppings or icings that are a bit messy, make sure you display them in cake domes with sturdy bases and clear plastic lids. Clear lids are preferable so you can show off the beauty of the cakes. Buy disposable cake domes from a local bakery or a grocery store deli, or ask if they might donate some for your cause.

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Rum Cake

Rum Cake Recipe

Interestingly, this cake is always a top seller at church bake sales. It's also popular with those doing the baking as well! It's a great cake for bake sales since the topping is a simple sprinkle of powdered sugar instead of a delicate frosting.

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Hazel's Fresh Coconut Cake

Credit: Oxmoor House

Hazel's Fresh Coconut Cake Recipe

You can charge top dollar for this impressive three-layer cake since it's covered in fresh shredded coconut. Southerner Hazel Burwell has been making this stately cake for her family for over 40 years, so you know it's good.

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Chocolate-Swirled Pound Cake

Credit: Ralph Anderson

Chocolate-Swirled Pound Cake Recipe

Pound cakes are dense and heavy, so be sure to place the cake on a sturdy cardboard base. Since there's no icing to deal with, you can wrap this cake tightly in clear plastic wrap and still keep the chocolate visible.

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Hummingbird Cake

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Karin Olsen

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

You just can't have a bake sale in the South without this all-time favorite cake featuring banana, pineapple, chopped pecans, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. This recipe is the most requested recipe in the history of Southern Living magazine.

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Yellow Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Yellow Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting Recipe

This 5-Star recipe for basic yellow cake with chocolate frosting is always a favorite, and you can make this one even more appealing by garnishing with edible flowers, sprinkles, nuts, or chopped candy. Bake and sell in a disposable baking pan.

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Basic White Cupcakes

Credit: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Basic White Cupcakes Recipe

Cupcakes are all the rage these days. Package and sell individual cupcakes for customers to go ahead and enjoy, or sell boxes of a dozen. Check with a local bakery to see if you can purchase some cake boxes to use for your sale. If your event is for charity, the bakery might be willing to donate a few.

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Honey's Carrot Cake

Credit: Howard L. Puckett

Honey's Carrot Cake Recipe

The most popular cakes at any bake sale are usually the recipes that certain individuals are known for in the community. If you don't have anyone in your group who specializing in carrot cake, we highly recommend Honey's. Be sure to include the garnishes as these little extras are what help the cake to sell.

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Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake

Credit: Howard L. Puckett

Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

Coke™ is the magic ingredient in this popular cake that shows up at covered dish suppers and family reunions across the country. Prepare it for the bake sale in a disposable foil pan and cover with foil or clear plastic wrap.

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Chocolate-Red Velvet Layer Cake

Chocolate-Red Velvet Layer Cake Recipe

This stunning six-layer cake is the one that will steal the show at your bake sale. If the demand is high, you might consider auctioning it off to the highest bidder, especially if the purpose of your bake sale is to raise money for a charity.

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