The Best Cakes for Summer Birthdays
Updated: May 03, 2024
Summer babies, it's your time to celebrate! Blow out the candles on these birthday cake recipes that are sweet, fruit-filled and vibrant.
1
/
24
Shortcut Tres Leches Cake
My mom’s favorite cake is tres leches, a butter cake soaked in three kinds of milk. I developed a no-fuss version that’s rich and tender. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
2
/
24
Cream Cheese Sheet Cake
This tender, buttery cream cheese cake with a thin layer of fudge frosting is perfect for a crowd. It's always popular at potlucks and parties. It's not uncommon to see folks going back for second and even third pieces. —Gaye Mann, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
3
/
24
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
I developed this cool treat because I wanted to find a new use for cream of coconut. The sweet coconut combines beautifully with the tart lemon juice, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. Look for cream of coconut in the cocktail mixer section of your grocery store. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
4
/
24
Key Lime Pound Cake
Key lime pound cake with cream cheese frosting is a true pound cake, using a full pound of butter. But it is lightened and brightened with aromatic lime zest and tart lime juice both in the cake and the frosting.
5
/
24
Strawberry Ladyfinger Icebox Cake
This cake is inventive and yet familiar. Be sure to use a springform pan so you can easily remove it from the cake. If it breaks while you're transferring it to the serving plate, just push the pieces back together, pressing gently. —Stella Ohanian, Porter Ranch, California
6
/
24
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Chances are, serving these ice cream cone cupcakes to kids will create a core memory for them. They mimic the look of a cone of ice cream but—surprise!—are filled with all the delicious components of a cupcake.
7
/
24
Coconut Chiffon Cake
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.
8
/
24
Pineapple Pudding Cake
My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It's so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts
9
/
24
Raspberry Moscow Mule Cake
This Moscow mule cake is my favorite cake I've ever made from scratch. It's so moist and flavorful, and it reminds me of my favorite cocktail. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
10
/
24
Homemade Confetti Cake
This is a moist and fluffy vanilla cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible not to feel happy when you see the fun pop of rainbow confetti! —Courtney Rich, Highland, UT
11
/
24
Pink Lemonade Stand Cake
If you love a moist and creamy cake, this one’s for you. The lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy, citrusy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it extra pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
12
/
24
Pineapple Carrot Cake
This pineapple carrot cake is sweet, tangy, fluffy and soft. It's perfect for snacking or when you want a dessert that isn't as sweet as other cakes or cookies.
13
/
24
Chocolate Layer Cake
Learn how to make a chocolate layer cake that is sure to impress all your party guests. This decadent dessert has it all: chocolate, ganache, buttercream and crunchy almonds to top it all off.
14
/
24
Patchwork Quilt Cake
This cake has a great homemade flavor and tender crumb. Be sure to pile on the buttery frosting, which adds a burst of vanilla. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
15
/
24
Yellow Cake with Buttercream Frosting
This is a classic scratch cake. The homemade buttery frosting and crisp, sugared edges really make it stand out. —Aria Thornton, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
16
/
24
Mamaw Emily's Strawberry Cake
My husband loved his mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
17
/
24
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Pineapple upside-down cake was once a retro relic that now ranks among the most classic desserts of all time. Follow our traditional recipe below—no extra frills needed here!
18
/
24
Orange Dream Angel Food Cake
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 the cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates.—Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania
19
/
24
Coconut Cream Cake
This coconut cream cake recipe delivers mouth-watering results. Relatively simple to make (you'll use a cake mix for the cake portion!), this cake may taste decadent but requires just basic cake-making skills.
20
/
24
Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird cake is a scrumptious tropical cake made of layers of spices, bananas, pineapple and nuts. This one is a classic for a reason!
21
/
24
Berry Dream Cake
I use cherry gelatin to give a boxed cake mix an eye-appealing marbled effect. It's so festive-looking. Top it with whatever fruit you like! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
22
/
24
Lemon Cake
This four-layer lemon cake uses lemon juice, lemon zest, a sweet-tart lemon syrup and a lush cream cheese frosting to make sure there's a sunshiny taste of citrus in every bite.
23
/
24
Angel Food Cake
This top-rated angel food cake recipe is a light and airy dessert everyone loves. It's heavenly served with berries or other fresh fruit and a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
24
/
24
Sour Cream Chocolate Cake
Sour cream chocolate cake boasting a rich, velvety texture and deep, delectable chocolate flavor. The addition of sour cream adds extra fat, resulting in an incredibly moist and tender crumb. Topped with homemade frosting that perfectly balances tangy and sweet, this cake is a true treat.
