This Airy Angel Food Cake is Simply Heavenly

This recipe is my mother's oldest and most popular chocolate cake recipe. I always thought it should have a fancier name, but this is what she called it. Mom would say a fancy name would not make it taste better. —Beth Bristow West Plains, Missouri

My Grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas anytime we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, which continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan

Don't let the number of steps in this recipe fool you —it's easy to assemble. The cake bakes up high and fluffy, and the berries add a fresh fruity flavor. Cream cheese is a good substitute if you don't have mascarpone cheese handy. —Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois

Since my husband liked pineapple upside-down cake, I decided to give this recipe a try one night when we were expecting guests for dinner. Everyone pronounced this cake "Delicious!" and asked for seconds.—Bobbie Talbott, Veneta, Oregon

In our family no one thinks it’s Christmas without this Red Velvet Cake recipe. I baked the first one for Christmas in 1963 when I found the recipe in the newspaper and my Mother kept the tradition going into the ’80s. It’s different than other Red Velvet Cakes I’ve tasted over the years, since this one tastes only mildly chocolate and the icing is as light as snow. —Kathryn H. Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina

Because I'm our town's postmaster, I can bake only in my spare time. When I do, I especially like pound cakes. This one tastes great as is, or tucked under ice cream and chocolate syrup like a hot fudge sundae! —Karen Conrad, East Troy, Wisconsin

According to my husband, this is the best German chocolate cake recipe in the whole world. Every bite has a light crunch from the pecans, a sweet taste of coconut and a drizzle of chocolate. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Pound cake and chocolate make the best marble cake. — Ellen Riley, Birmingham, Alabama

I found this buttercake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida

We always called this Mama's "never fail" recipe. I guess the same holds true for me, since I've entered this cake in contests and won with it. This tasty dessert is popular in our family, and it always brings back fond memories of Mama. —Carrie Bartlett, Gallatin, Tennessee

This pineapple upside-down cake is a classic recipe that never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas

This ruby-red cake with it's lovely cream cheese frosting has become my "signature dessert." I can't go to any family function without it. The cake is very moist with a buttery chocolate taste. —Katie Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina

This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It also makes a great Easter dessert and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

This recipe won several blue ribbons at our state fair. The made-from-scratch chocolate layer cake topped with a fudgy homemade frosting is truly a can't-miss dessert. —Donna Carman, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Now that I've retired from teaching, I have more time to bake. This buttermilk 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

I received this recipe as part of a wedding gift. I have made it for a couple of summer gatherings with friends and most recently when my husband requested that I make it for his birthday. —Tricia Bryan, Bolivar, Ohio

My aunt, who was born in the 1920s, passed this recipe down to me. She made the cake from scratch from start to finish because she didn't have modern amenities to help her in the kitchen. The penuche frosting goes with the cake nicely. —Beth Vorst, Columbus Grove, Ohio

When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I depend on. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

This light, moist cake is my favorite. It tastes heavenly and is special enough for most any occasion. —Fayrene De Koker, Vancouver, Washington

I came across this recipe years ago and made a few changes. It’s very popular. My mom’s church group serves it for dessert quite regularly. —Kelly Kirby, Westville, Nova Scotia

If you need to learn how to make a cake, this easy chocolate cake recipe is a perfect place to start. It appeared on a can of Hershey's Cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it and I've been making it ever since.—Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California

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

A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each year for my birthday. It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this cake is never enough—better than all the other carrot cakes I've tried!—Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania

Tres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

I first made this cake for my fathers' birthday and now it is the only cake that he requests. This cake has complex flavors and is very unique. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California

This festive strawberry summer treat is one of my mom's favorites. It wows guests every time yet is simple to make. —Cathy Branciaroli, Wilmington, Delaware