Go grab your apron! These 1950s cake recipes are as delicious today as they were decades ago. Find ideas for coconut cake, angel food, pineapple upside-down cake and more.
The 1950s Cake Recipes You Need to Make Today
Updated on Oct. 07, 2024
Incredible Coconut Cake
I found this coconut cake recipe in a newspaper many years ago and modified it to suit my taste. This is my all-time favorite cake, and my family and friends absolutely love it. —Lynne Bassler, Indiana, Pennsylvania
1/24
2/24
Orange Dream Angel Food Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A basic angel food cake becomes a heavenly indulgence, thanks to a hint of orange flavor swirled into every bite. The orange color makes slices of this 1950s cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates.—Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 130 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
3/24
Icebox Cake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You don’t have to bake to serve a wonderful dessert! This icebox cake is made from chocolate wafers and whipping cream. It is so delicious.—Cindy Hawkins, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 488 calories, 38g fat (23g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 266mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
4/24
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. If you want to try more upside-down cakes, check out this cranberry duff.
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 380 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 224mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
5/24
Chocolate Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you want to offer family and friends a dessert that really stands out from the rest, this is the cake to make. The beautiful high, rich sponge cake is drizzled with a succulent chocolate glaze. —Erma Fox, Memphis, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 268 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 262mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
6/24
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Total Time
55 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a mother of three sons, sweets are a staple in my kitchen! I buy ripe fruit on sale and freeze it to make this cake. My banana cake with cream cheese frosting is a favorite among loved ones at my family picnics and dinners. —Bonnie Krause, Irvona, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 416 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
7/24
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 482 calories, 28g fat (7g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 404mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
8/24
Pineapple Pudding Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. This 1950s cake is so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 151 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
9/24
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 678 calories, 29g fat (18g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 377mg sodium, 104g carbohydrate (77g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
10/24
Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cherries and chocolate are natural partners that make desserts such as this simply scrumptious! The marbled effect is easily achieved by layering the two contrasting batters. —Sandra Campbell, Chase Mills, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 606 calories, 31g fat (16g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
11/24
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 798 calories, 46g fat (13g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 569mg sodium, 92g carbohydrate (70g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
12/24
Angel Food Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For our daughter's wedding, a friend made this lovely, airy angel food cake from a recipe she's used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I've found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 115 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch.
13/24
Banana Nut Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a pastor's wife, and it's so good to have something to serve when friends drop in unexpectedly. Because this banana nut cake can be frozen and also keeps well in the refrigerator, I try to have one on hand. —Gloria Barkley, Wilmington, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 468 calories, 26g fat (3g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 268mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
14/24
Rhubarb Custard Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Rhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don’t bother! Of all the desserts I’ve tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 300 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
15/24
Hawaiian Sunset Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This three-layer sunset cake is pretty enough for company, but it’s so simple to make that you’ll find yourself baking it often. A boxed mix keeps it convenient while the fruity filling makes it a crowd-pleaser. —Kara De la Vega, Suisun City, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 548 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 384mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (61g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
16/24
Mayonnaise Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom always made this special chocolate mayonnaise cake for my birthday dessert. It is very moist and has a nice light chocolate taste. Plus, the flavorful frosting is the perfect topping. —Deborah Amrine, Fort Myers, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 416 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 354mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
17/24
Apple Stack Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom loved to bake this sky-high apple stack cake. Layer the apple goodness two days before serving. Later, a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the only topping you'll need. —LeVa Clement, Jackson, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 506 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 313mg sodium, 94g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein.
18/24
Mom’s Citrus Buttermilk Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone raves over this lovely lemon cake. It’s divine with fresh raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 488 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
19/24
Spice Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I get a craving for a tasty old-fashioned treat, I make this cake. Great cooks in my family have been baking it for generations, and their families have been enjoying the wonderful spice flavor and rich frosting.
—Nancy Duty, Jacksonville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 482 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (53g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
20/24
Hot Milk Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple, old-fashioned milk cake tastes so good it will surprise you! As I remember my mom's delicious meals, this dessert was always the perfect ending. Mom always used "a dash of this and dab of that" to come up with what we thought was "the best." —Rosemary Pryor, Pasadena, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 254 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 154mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
21/24
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.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 667 calories, 26g fat (13g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 104g carbohydrate (82g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
22/24
Devil’s Food Snack Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and his friends request this cake for camping trips because it’s easy to transport. That makes it great for taking to potlucks and other events too, as there's no frosting involved. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 174 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.
23/24
Yellow Cake Recipe
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This yellow cake will become your go-to recipe for birthdays, but the tender cake with flavorful chocolate buttercream is truly perfect for any occasion. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 593 calories, 33g fat (21g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 432mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (53g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
24/24
