Food and Recipes Recipes 100 Best Birthday Cake Recipes Made For Celebrations No birthday party is complete without a cake. By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is a Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 10, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones The best thing about listening to an entire room of people sing "Happy Birthday" to the guest of honor is knowing that you get to dig into a delicious birthday cake after all of the mid-song eye contact. As the candles are blown out, make a wish that someone bakes one of these easy cakes when your birthday comes around. If you're looking for a classic option like ice cream cake, strawberry birthday cake, caramel cake, or a homemade chocolate chip cookie cake, you've come to the right place. Birthday cake recipe ideas with personal portions like cupcakes and mini cakes let you avoid the fight over who got the biggest slice. Southerners love to serve sheet cakes to a crowd, and birthday parties are no exception. We have sheet cake recipes in every flavor so you can easily bake and take them if you're not hosting. And of course, it wouldn't be a Southern Living cake roundup without some stunning layer cakes. These cakes for birthdays are going to be the center of attention at the celebration. 01 of 100 Pink Champagne Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Kelly You'll find champagne in both the cake layers and the icing of this recipe. Freeze-dried strawberries give it a pretty pink color. 02 of 100 Devil's Food Cake With Salted Peanut Butter Frosting And Ganache Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Even though we took a shortcut by using boxed cake mix for this recipe, we made up for it with a homemade ganache and salted peanut butter frosting. 03 of 100 Strawberry Birthday Cake Southern Living This layer cake combines delicious homemade elements like strawberry compote and cream cheese frosting. 04 of 100 Triple-Layer Chocolate-Caramel Cake Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Make the frosting for this three-layer beauty a day in advance for easier spreading. 05 of 100 Confetti Cake with Vanilla-Sour Cream Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Confetti cake mix and plenty of sprinkles make this easy cake fit for a celebration. 06 of 100 Caramel Italian Cream Cake Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns; Prop Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell We use brown sugar as a shortcut to give this cake a caramel-flavored frosting without the need to use a candy thermometer. 07 of 100 Better Boxed Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting Brian Hagiwara/Getty Images This recipe is proof that a box of yellow cake mix can be turned into something fantastic. Top the classic chocolate frosting with sprinkles of your choice for a cake fit for a birthday. 08 of 100 Lemon Cake With Lemon-Thyme Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones If the guest of honor prefers citrus flavor over chocolate or vanilla, this layer cake will bring plenty of color and flavor to the birthday celebration. 09 of 100 Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Micah A. Leal For many, there's nothing as nostalgic for a birthday than a chocolate chip cookie cake. Instead of ordering one this year, make your loved one their childhood favorite from scratch. 10 of 100 Berry Chantilly Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas End an elegant birthday affair with this masterpiece of a summer cake. Cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, and whipping cream are a triple threat for the dreamiest frosting you've ever made. 11 of 100 Flourless Pecan-Chocolate Cake Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This flourless cake is insanely fudgy and full of chocolate flavor. A few tips from the Test Kitchen: Be careful not to overbake your cake—it will set up when chilled. For the smoothest top, pour the warm glaze over the chilled cake and gently spread it with a spatula. 12 of 100 Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell A splash of bourbon makes classic chocolate cake even richer. Bourbon lovers will be thrilled to know it's also featured in the frosting. 13 of 100 1234 Cake with Chocolate Frosting Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner Don't grab that box of cake mix: Even novice bakers can pull off this oh-so-easy cake. Make it up to two days ahead of the birthday party and store, loosely covered, in the refrigerator. 14 of 100 Pig Pickin' Cake Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster Mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple make this layer cake light and fruity for summertime celebrations. Unfrosted sides make it easy to assemble but also make for a fun presentation. 15 of 100 Chocolate Marble Cake Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely This classic vanilla cake with chocolate swirls has the best of both worlds. Our Test Kitchen recommends using a kitchen scale or measuring cups for the batter to ensure your layers are the same size. 16 of 100 Chocolate Poke Cake Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Just 15 minutes of hands-on time is needed to pull this decadent chocolate cake together so you can whip it up even when you're short on time. 17 of 100 One-Bowl Chocolate Cake ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL Make a homemade cake without making a mess in the kitchen with this chocolate cake that comes together in just one bowl. 18 of 100 Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes Greg DuPree; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey These festive treats are the cutest way to celebrate a birthday. 19 of 100 Blueberry-Lemon Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Skip the food coloring and serve a fluffy frosting with the natural hue of puréed blueberries for your spring birthday celebration. 20 of 100 Tres Leches Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Thanks to being made with three different kinds of milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk, Tres Leches Cake comes out moist every time. 21 of 100 Hummingbird Cake Southern Living The Hummingbird Cake just happens to be our most popular cake ever, and It's easy to see why. Three layers of moist cake made with pineapple and bananas serves as the base for decadent cream cheese frosting. 22 of 100 Mint Chocolate Chip Cake Southern Living We created this mint chocolate chip cake using fresh mint leaves, not extract, for the most authentic flavor. A simple topping of mini chocolate chips and fresh mint leaves makes for pretty but easy presentation. 23 of 100 Easy Chocolate Cake Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely This easy cake recipe makes a single layer, but you can easily double or triple it to create a layer cake if you prefer. 24 of 100 German Chocolate Cake Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Every Southern baker should make a German chocolate cake at least once, and our latest iteration is insanely rich and delicious for a birthday celebration. 25 of 100 Peanut Butter Cake Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall We all have a peanut butter lover in our lives, and this cake was made for them. Buttermilk is the secret to making this sheet cake ultra-tender. 26 of 100 Classic Birthday Cake Micah A. Leal The flavor of confetti cake simply has no rival, and a sheet cake makes it easy to bake and take. 27 of 100 Birthday Cake In A Jar Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Treat the guest of honor to their very own cake that won't have to share with these individual cakes that are made in Mason jars. 28 of 100 White Cake With Berry-Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Homemade Swiss meringue buttercream is the star of this recipe and gives the cake a beautiful pink finish that resembles a rose. 29 of 100 Yellow Cake With Malted Chocolate Buttercream Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is a classic combination that is loved by both kids and adults. 30 of 100 Cookies And Cream Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Kelly This cake is a great option for celebrating cookie lovers. 31 of 100 Chocolate Chiffon Cake Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Inverting this cake while it cools is the secret to its delicate texture. 32 of 100 Lemon-Cheese Layer Cake Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch This eight-layer cake requires a little extra time, but it's worth it for a special celebration. 33 of 100 Red Velvet Cake With White Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Homemade cream cheese frosting is just the upgrade boxed cake mix needs. 34 of 100 Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes With Cherry-Swirl Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Pretty in pink, these cupcakes prove everything is better with a splash of Southern-favorite Cheerwine soda. 35 of 100 Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke If Grandma or Grandpa requests this retro cake for their birthday, this recipe is just what you need to make their wish come true. 36 of 100 Lemon-Coconut Cake Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Get the best of both lemon cake and coconut cake in one with this delicious recipe. 37 of 100 Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Caitlin Bensel There's nothing better than a no-cook dessert that you can make ahead. 38 of 100 Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes With Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream Greg DuPree Use your biscuit-cutter for the prettiest mini layer cakes your crowd has ever seen. 39 of 100 Oreo Cheesecake Micah A. Leal With Oreos included in the crust, filling, and topping, this cheesecake recipe doesn't skimp on your favorite cookie's flavor. 40 of 100 Key Lime Icebox Cake Hector M Sanchez If your birthday honoree's favorite dessert is Key Lime Pie, make it big-batch with this no-bake cake recipe. 41 of 100 Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Southerners know a bit of soda is the secret to the fluffiest desserts. 42 of 100 Strawberries-And-Cream Sheet Cake This pretty-in-pink cake is one of our most popular sheet cake recipes of all time. 43 of 100 Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake Southern Living Southern-favorite pound cake and caramel cake meet in this recipe that readers have fallen in love with. 44 of 100 Luscious Lemon Cake Jennifer Davick If you have a lemon-lover to celebrate, it doesn't get more classic than this layer cake you can decorate however you please. 45 of 100 Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake with Strawberry-Sour Cream Buttercream Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox This simple but colorful sheet cake will bring the fun to the party. 46 of 100 Coconut Chiffon Cake Hector Sanchez No cake is more worthy of a celebration than this elegant vintage confection. 47 of 100 Angel Food Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox There's nothing more divine than a fluffy, light-as-air slice of angel food cake. 48 of 100 Reese's Cake Alison Miksch If your birthday boy or girl can't resist a Reese's at the checkout line, this beyond-decadent Bundt cake will seem too good to be true. 49 of 100 Strawberry-Lemonade Cake Jen Causey Dive into refreshing layers of strawberry-lemonade cake that's perfect for a springtime birthday. 50 of 100 Homemade Yellow Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Picky eater? Make our homemade yellow cake from scratch and top it with his or her favorite frosting recipe. 51 of 100 Hummingbird Cupcakes With Candied Pineapple Wedges Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Get all the flavor of the classic Hummingbird Cake you love in big-batch form that everyone at the party can enjoy. 52 of 100 Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox What's better than fudge cake? Fudge cake topped with chocolate ganache and fluffy caramel buttercream. 53 of 100 Praline Cake Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Emily Hall; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Pralines are an all-time favorite Southern dessert, but they can be tricky to make for beginner bakers. Nail the praline flavor with this party-ready cake. 54 of 100 Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey If the guest of honor loves donuts, choose to celebrate them with this cake that's reminiscent of an old-fashioned donut. 55 of 100 Classic Southern Pound Cake Skyler Burt; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Karen Rankin As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and that's how we feel about this ultimate pound cake recipe. 56 of 100 Banana Pudding Poke Cake Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox If you didn't think your favorite banana pudding could get better, try this cake on for size. 57 of 100 Mini Confetti Cakes Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke These Instagram-worthy tiny cakes are easier to make than they look. 58 of 100 Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Dietary restrictions are no match for this dairy-free, gluten-free stunner of a cake. 59 of 100 Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake Greg DuPree This soft vanilla cake with toasted pecans and toffee bits is topped with a brown butter-toffee frosting and all we have to say is, "Wow." 60 of 100 Lane Cupcakes Southern Living Famed vintage Lane Cake gets personal-portion treatment in this cute cupcake recipe. 61 of 100 Lemon Raspberry Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford This elegant layer cake is made with cream cheese-raspberry frosting made with fresh raspberries. 62 of 100 Brown Sugar-Rum Cake Southern Living If rum is the birthday girl or guy's choice drink, this tender sheet cake is a must-bake. 63 of 100 Strawberry Icebox Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford This no-bake icebox cake is a nostalgic treat your guests will love. 64 of 100 Coconut Cream Cake Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Toasted coconut shavings make a pretty but easy topping for a classic coconut cake. 65 of 100 Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake Jennifer Causey This bright cheesecake recipe has been a reader-favorite for years. 66 of 100 Banana Pudding Cheesecake Jennifer Davick Banana pudding and cheesecake make a beautiful couple in this dessert recipe. 67 of 100 Chocolate Mousse Cake Micah Leal This ultra-rich chocolate cake is delicious served with fresh berries and a dollop of homemade whipped cream. 68 of 100 Margarita Cake Micah A. Leal Gathering for a birthday fiesta? Raise a glass to this spirited cake recipe. 69 of 100 Chocolate Strawberry Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford This layer cake captures all the flavor you love about chocolate-covered strawberries. 70 of 100 Devil's Food Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke When it comes to chocolate, you don't need a fancy recipe. This basic, decadent chocolate cake fits the bill perfectly. 71 of 100 Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes Micah Leal You won't find a single artificial flavor in these beautiful cupcakes made with fresh spring strawberries. 72 of 100 Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox There's no dessert more fitting for a summer birthday party than a cool, colorful ice-cream cake. 73 of 100 Caramel Cake Jennifer Davick Some guests don't like citrus desserts, others chocolate, but everyone can agree on loving caramel cake. 74 of 100 Mississippi Mud Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke This fudgy sheet cake is topped with marshmallows for a festive finish. 75 of 100 Lemon Sherbet Cupcakes With Buttercream Frosting Hector Manuel Sanchez These pastel cupcakes were made for spring parties. 76 of 100 Toasted Almond Butter Cake Southern Living No nut allergies in your family? Try out this buttery cake with cream cheese frosting. 77 of 100 Chocolate Bundt Cake Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke This creatively easy cake mixes boxed cake and brownie mixes for the most decadent result. 78 of 100 Strawberry Dream Cake Greg Dupree Cutting into this cake to find a layer of fresh strawberries is a true springtime dream. 79 of 100 Praline Mini Cakes Southern Living No sharing is required when it comes to these toffee-filled and brown sugar icing-topped cakes. 80 of 100 Football Cake Photgrapher: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke If you have a little one who loves all things football, this adorable cake is for your celebration. Even though it looks professional, all you need to create the football shape is a round cake pan. 81 of 100 Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake Joy Howard Would you believe this refreshing dessert comes together with just five ingredients? You better! It will bring you back to the days of the ice cream man visiting your neighborhood. 82 of 100 Cherries-And-Cream Icebox Cake Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Since this pretty confection needs time to chill in the fridge, it's the ultimate make-ahead dessert for summer birthday parties. It will be the cherry on top of a great day! 83 of 100 Lemon-Lime Poke Cake Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Lemon and lime slices not only make a precious summer garnish, but they also help the host get just the right slice size when serving. 84 of 100 Watermelon Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners We can't think of a cuter way to celebrate a summer birthday than with this festive watermelon cake studded with chocolate chip "seeds." 85 of 100 Margarita Cupcakes Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas You don't have to choose between drinks and dessert with this fun cupcake recipe! These are the perfect way to finish off a taco Tuesday birthday party. 86 of 100 Banana Split Cake Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck This icebox sheet cake was made for serving a crowd. The whimsical presentation will delight a birthday honoree of any age. 87 of 100 Strawberry-Lemon Cupcakes Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas If you're short on time, no party guests will realize these delicious cupcakes are actually an upgraded box of cake mix. 88 of 100 Carrot Bundt Cake Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Don't fool with stacking layers and intricate icing this birthday. Our warm carrot cake Bundt cake is beautiful with loops of frosting. 89 of 100 Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream Jennifer Causey We love the cute presentation of these sweet cupcakes that come together with very little hands-on time. 90 of 100 Butterscotch-Bourbon Lava Cakes Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell If you're hosting an adults-only birthday dinner, this elegant dessert will wow your friends. For over-the-top flavor, we amped up classic homemade whipped cream with a touch of bourbon. 91 of 100 Red Velvet Doberge Cake With Cheesecake Custard Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall A Doberge cake is described as a cake with many layers, and this elegant version of Red Velvet Cake is made by cutting cake layers in half after they're baked. 92 of 100 Rainbow Sherbet Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Cut open what looks like a frosted pound cake to reveal colorful layers and nostalgic sherbet flavors. 93 of 100 Sunflower Cupcakes Photographer: Alison Miksch Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee End your celebration on a sunny note with the sweetest cupcakes we ever did see. They start with a box of cake mix, but the real magic happens with your piping bag. 94 of 100 Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Peach Buttercream Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox This recipe has the sweet peach flavor of summer with a beautiful presentation made for a party. 95 of 100 Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Though they look like you bought them from the bakery up the street, these mini Bundt cakes are easy to make at home. Pineapple flower toppers are a beautiful, natural garnish. 96 of 100 Key Lime Sheet Cake Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke If you're hosting a crowd, sheet cakes are the way to go when serving dessert. Our readers have raved over this recipe for how easy it is to pull off. 97 of 100 Milk Chocolate Bar Cake Charles Walton IV; Styling: Mary Lyn H. Jenkins If you make this recipe for a birthday celebration, everyone will be asking for the recipe and will be shocked to learn that it starts with a boxed mix. 98 of 100 The Lane Cake Hector Sanchez Featured in the second issue of Southern Living in 1966, this stunning cake has remained popular over the years. Since this cake does take some time to make, we think it's perfect for special occasions. 99 of 100 Dreamsicle Cupcakes with Lighthouse Ice Cream Cones Emily Mingledorff, Pie Crust & Pixie Dust If your child is obsessed with everything nautical, look no further for a birthday cake than these oh-so-festive cupcakes. 100 of 100 Little Layer Chocolate Cake As is, this recipe makes a cake with 18 layers, but you can adjust the number of layers based on the age of the guest of honor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit