30 Old Fashioned Cake Recipes Inspired by Grandma’s Kitchen
Real butter, real sugar, real cream. There’s just something about an old fashioned cake.From fruit-filled favorites to lovely layer cakes, this collection of classic desserts has something for everyone.
classic layered carrot cake
This two-layer carrot cake is made with coconut, pineapple chunks, and shredded carrots. It is topped off with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
farmer’s daughter cake
A simple vanilla cake topped with a from-scratch chocolate frosting that’s somewhere between icing and fudge. Farmer’s daughter cake recipe is sweet and easy.
spiced applesauce cake
A simple applesauce cake filled with warm spices and applesauce and topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
coconut lemon bundt cake
A moist pound cake made with everyday ingredients and topped with an extra simple icing of lemon juice and powdered sugar then sprinkled with sweetened coconut.
vintage lazy daisy cake
This vintage lazy daisy cake is a buttery yellow cake layer with a broiled coconut topping. A true old-fashioned favorite that is absolutely delicious.
chocolate-mayonnaise cake
A moist and rich chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe featuring extra velvety chocolate mayonnaise frosting. This cake is loaded with a rich flavor and tasty, moist texture. It is a delicious dessert to bake up any time of year.
victoria sponge cake
Looking for an old-fashioned cake recipe that’s not American? A classic Victoria sandwich cake is a staple in tea rooms across the United Kingdom. You can make it in your kitchen with this easy recipe, too!
old-fashioned fruit cake
This old-fashioned fruit cake is the author’s great-grandmother’s recipe. It is easy to make and makes a great morning or afternoon tea.
southern caramel bundt cake
A gorgeous and classic dessert, this is made from scratch but I’ll walk you through it. You’ll love the moist cake and the sweet pourable icing.
vanilla chiffon cake
Learn how to make a light & fluffy chiffon cake with this simple, easy-to-follow recipe! Full of expert tips & tricks to get the perfect chiffon cake!
strawberry charlotte cake
Fresh strawberries, delicate strawberry Bavarian cream, and homemade ladyfinger biscuits: this strawberry charlotte cake makes the perfect summer dessert!
gingerbread cake with caramel frosting
This super moist, mildly flavored gingerbread cake is topped with homemade caramel icing to create an easy dessert that is perfectly delicious!
chocolate texas sheet cake
This Texas sheet cake recipe is easy to make. It’s a rich and moist cake and a real crowd-pleaser. It has been popular for many decades!
angel food cake
This angel food cake is incredibly light and fluffy like a cloud. It has a sweet vanilla taste and a soft-spongy texture. It’s also easy to make.
7up poundcake with citrus glaze
This classic dessert combines a favorite soda with bright, citrusy flavors. Made from scratch the old-fashioned way.
chocolate wacky cake
My grandma’s recipe from the Depression era is made with no dairy or eggs. It’s an intense chocolate cake that is naturally vegan and super easy to make!
vintage cherry chip layer cake
This homemade vintage cherry chip layer cake made from scratch is bursting with sweet cherry flavor and tinted the perfect shade of pink from nothing other than the maraschino cherry juice from the jar! Chopped-up maraschino cherries are folded into the batter
huguenot church blueberry brunch cake
Huguenot church blueberry brunch cake is quintessentially old Charleston. This recipe comes from an 1871 archival reprint from the Huguenot Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
blackberry bundt cake
A blackberry Bundt cake made from scratch and capturing the sweetness of an old-fashioned summer. Fresh berries and plenty of sugar and butter!
fruit cocktail cake
This fruit cocktail cake is a simple vintage recipe that you may remember Grandma making when you were a child. This vintage recipe is packed with fruit and super moist. Just six ingredients and so easy to make.
one bowl sourdough chocolate cake
This easy cake uses cocoa and boiling water for an extra moist, easy cake served right out of the pan.
apple dapple cake
Apple dapple cake is a classic fall cake packed full of warm spices and baked apples which give this vintage cake an incredibly delicious moist texture. The amazing brown butter glaze takes this cake to another level.
pineapple upside-down cake
A classic dessert recipe that deserves a comeback! Light, airy, and full of flavor, this makes for a beautiful special occasion cake because they just aren’t that common these days. Delicious with vanilla ice cream and caramel on top!
lemon bundt cake
This lemon pound cake is wonderfully moist and flavorful, drizzled with lemon icing. Made with lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and topped with a tart lemon icing- this is the perfect pound cake for anyone who loves lemon!
strawberry shortcake cake
This strawberry shortcake cake is a family tradition! Easy to make with vanilla cake, fluffy homemade whipped cream, and fresh strawberries.
german apple cake
This authentic fancy-looking German apple cake is quick and easy to make and results in a flavorful, moist, and buttery cake with tender sliced apples on top.
old-fashioned hummingbird cake
Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, old-fashioned hummingbird cake is made with bananas, pineapple, pecans, and cinnamon.
butter pound cake
A classic old-school Southern butter pound cake recipe. This tender and buttery cake has that crusty top we love on pound cakes. This cake can be dressed up and served in the most elegant and delicious ways!
sour cream chocolate cake
This classic chocolate cake is made from scratch, and adding sour cream makes it extra moist. Topped with the perfect vanilla buttercream, this simple combination never goes out of style.
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Old-Fashion Cake Recipes: Successful and easy preparation. For beginners and professionals. The best recipes designed for every taste.My old fashioned cakes recipe book: Delicious vintage cakes. Vintage desserts cookbook. (Retro recipe books)Yo Mama’s Old Fashioned Teacakes Cookbook and Recipe Journal: She Loves the TeaThe Old-Fashioned Hand-Made Sweet Shop Recipe Book: Make Your Own Confectionery with Over 90 Classic Recipes for Irresistible Sweets, Candies and Chocolates, Shown in 450 Stunning PhotographsSouthern Dessert Cookbook: Over 500 Old Fashioned, Classic & Timeless Desserts (Southern Cooking Recipes)Old-Fashioned East Coast Cookies, Cakes, Pies & Sweets (English and English Edition)
Cake Baking Tips
Measure your ingredients EXACTLY. Baking is science, not art – and a little too much flour can ruin everything.
Room temperature matters. Your butter, eggs, and milk should sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start mixing. This helps everything blend perfectly.
Don’t overmix your batter. Mix just until everything is combined – too much stirring builds up gluten and makes your cake tough instead of tender.
Let your cake cool COMPLETELY before frosting. Even if you’re in a hurry! A warm cake will melt your frosting and make a mess.
The secret to a perfect old-fashioned cake isn’t fancy ingredients or complicated steps – it’s simply taking your time and enjoying the process. I hope you find a vintage cake (or two) you enjoy!
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.
Beautiful cakes, but no recipes. I am sadly disappointed.
hi Julie, this is a recipe collection, if you click on the button it will take you to each one 🙂