Baking fever is spreading across the country, and these nostalgic cakes are to blame—in the best possible way. While baking has been an integral part of Southern life for centuries, project baking has really taken off in the past few years.
Whether it’s a deep-rooted urge to return to your roots, or a more modern need to put on a show for your friends and followers, these 12 old-fashioned cakes will turn heads, tantalize taste buds, and get everyone talking about what a great baker you are.
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Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
With a light, airy crumb courtesy of whipped egg whites, chiffon cakes rose to popularity in the middle of the 21st century. This coconut version is one of our favorites.
Credit:
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner
Did you know that Dr Pepper was born in Texas? It’s a delicious addition to this classic Texas chocolate sheet cake.
Credit:
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Harper Lee immortalized this bourbon-soaked cake in her book “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Its trifecta of components—cake, filling, and frosting—make it a retro favorite.
Credit:
People Inc. Food Studios
Leave it to Southerners to add mayo to dessert. While it may-o sound like an odd ingredient, it adds moisture and richness to this deeply chocolate cake. You can’t even taste it.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Coca-Cola—a true Southern classic—adds a rich caramel flavor to this easy two-layer cake.
Credit:
Hector Manuel Sanchez
If you’re thinking “lemon and cheese?!” don’t be alarmed. “Lemon cheese” is an old British term for the lemon curd that flavors the filling and frosting of this cake.
Credit:
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This easy bundt cake starts with a cake mix and ends with an easy stir-together glaze, making it the perfect easy recipe for sharing with strangers you hope become friends.
Credit: Alison Miksch; Food Styling: Erin Merhar; Prop Styling: Prissy Lee
Don’t worry about waiting for fig season—this classic cake from North Carolina uses convenient fig jam.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This predecessor of red velvet cake a smooth chocolate flavor without all the red food dye. Instead of a cream cheese, it’s covered with a super-retro Ermine Frosting.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It doesn’t get a whole lot more Southern that coconut cake. Covered with a fluffy frosting and showered with toasted coconut, this cake is a dream.
Credit: Courtney West
OK, I lied. There is something more Southern than coconut cake—caramel cake. Perfected by Mississippians and beloved across the nation, it’s one of the South’s most beloved cakes.
Credit:
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Humble and delicious, this simple sheet cake is a sweet way to use up leftover buttermilk.
Dining and Cooking