Top 15+ classic Southern cakes everyone should bake at least once

These Southern-style cakes always steal the show.

There's just something special about Southern-style confections that sets them apart. Full of character and flavor, they almost always steal the show—especially the cakes. Tender, buttermilk-infused pound cakes are effortlessly impressive, while towering layer cakes laden with fruits, nuts, and creamy icing capture distinctive flavors and histories of different regional corners of the South. Read on to discover Southern cakes that every baker should know how to make—no matter where they call home!

01 of 15

Caramel Cake

Southern caramel cake, known for its many layers, is distinguished by homemade caramel icing. This recipe incorporates brown sugar and evaporated milk to simplify the steps and make it even easier to make from scratch.

"Very simple recipe," says Ethel Rosemond. "This is the best recipe I have used for a caramel cake."

02 of 15

Lane Cake

Blending qualities of hummingbird cake with coconut cake, Lane Cake is a Southern recipe that's included in Harper Lee's book To Kill a Mockingbird. The infusion of brandy sets this recipe apart, tying together a rich filling made with raisins, pecans, cherries, and coconut.

"I made this a while back for my class after reading 'To Kill A Mockingbird' and everybody loved it!" says reviewer Lycoris. "I used Brandy instead of Bourbon, used a full cup of coconut, half a cup of raisins, and maraschino cherries. The seven-minute icing was the perfect touch! I had to fight to save two pieces for my family to try."

03 of 15

Dr Pepper Sheet Cake

"Very moist and tasty! My south-Texas husband was craving his grandmother’s Dr. Pepper sheet cake for his birthday and he really loved this recipe. He’s already asking if we can make it again." —FergusPharm

04 of 15

Texas Sheet Cake

"I have made this Texas sheet cake recipe for years," says recipe contributor Caroyln Herbert. "My children always chose it for their birthday cake over any other, and it makes enough for a crowd. Moist and delicious."

05 of 15

Best Hummingbird Cake

Bearing resemblance to Dr. Bird cake, which is also on this list, the original recipe for Hummingbird Cake can be traced to Jamaica, where the country's tourism board distributed the recipe via international airline materials in the 1960s. The first known printing of the recipe was in a 1978 Issue of Southern Living Magazine.

"Great recipe. Recommend! I made this and won the grand prize in baking at the county fair." —Teresa Ariail

06 of 15

Pig Pickin' Cake

"This pig pickin' cake is a wonderful, easy-to-make dessert," says recipe contributor teri. "Three layers get topped with frozen whipped topping and pineapple. I got the recipe from a lady in the Tennessee mountains."

07 of 15

Moist Coconut Cake

"This is so delicious. I would never normally reach for a coconut recipe when baking, but honestly this is so moist and decadent that I loved it. I used shop-bought frosting and sweetened coconut flakes on the outside. Will make again!" —LivelyCow1858

08 of 15

Dr. Bird Cake

Named after the national bird of Jamaica, where it's said to have originally been developed, Dr. Bird Cake can be traced to promotional materials distributed by the tourism board of Jamaica by way of Charlotte, North Carolina where it became popular. The first known printing of this recipe in the United States was in a 1969 issue of The Charlotte Observer.

"I love this cake! This is the exact recipe my mother and grandmother used. The smell of Dr. Bird cake baking reminds me of my childhood! It is an easy cake that tastes wonderful!" —dori

09 of 15

Mardi Gras King Cake

"I had complete success. Made this for a group of about 20-25 and didn't get to take home a crumb. It's now a part of my permanent baking files." —JEB

10 of 15

Black Walnut Cake

"I got this recipe from an old Army mess hall sergeant who later became a chef down in Savannah, GA," says recipe contributor Patricia Canerdy. "This is a wonderful, different nut cake. It is equally good served warm or cold."

11 of 15

Kentucky Butter Cake

"Would give it 6 stars if I could! It came out sweet, moist, and overall just completely delicious. I recommend!" —Rylee Langlois

12 of 15

Scripture Cake

"This is a flavorful spiced fruit cake with figs, raisins, and almonds," says recipe contributor Stephanie. "You can find each scripture cake ingredient mentioned in the passage that follows it."

13 of 15

Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

Old-fashioned gingerbread has roots in Southern Appalachia, where it was traditionally made with molasses.

"This favorite old-fashioned gingerbread recipe is so easy to make and probably very similar to the one your great-grandmother used to make," says recipe contributor Charles. "If you prefer a gingerbread with more spice, just double or triple the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves."

14 of 15

Sybil's Old Fashioned Lemon Layer Cake

"This is one of my grandmother's recipes, a Southern classic. It is similar to a doberge—six thin layers with a tart lemon filling. I usually need three large fresh lemons for this recipe to produce the zest and juice." —REGINAHARRIS

15 of 15

Southern Praline Pecan Cake

"My friends are always requesting that I bring this cake to pinochle. I never mind making it, because it is so easy to make and is perfect as written. I do arrange pecan halves in the bottom of the pan before pouring in the batter (along with the chopped pecans) to make a pretty design for the top of the cake. Fantastic recipe!" —Deb