Luscious Layer Cake Recipes

Photo: John Autry

Our Best Layer Cakes

Majestic layer cakes put an exclamation point on your table for holidays and special occasions and double as a stunning centerpiece. Our layer cakes lean less heavily on butter and sugar saving you and your family calories and fat without sacrificing taste.

Read More: How to Make Layer Cakes

We love the classic flavor combination in this light, moist Chocolate-Orange Layer Cake. Instead of a full frosting, simply spoon a warm chocolaty glaze over the two layers.

View Recipe: Chocolate-Orange Layer Cake

Photo: John Autry

Vanilla Cake with Italian Meringue Frosting

Light and fluffy meringue frosting tops layers of moist vanilla cake making this a delicious and beautiful end to any meal. Associate Food Editor Julianna Grimes raves, "It's such an impressive-looking cake, and it tastes as good as (or better than) it looks."

View Recipe: Vanilla Cake with Italian Meringue Frosting

Photo: John Autry

Pecan Spice Cake with Maple Frosting

Work quickly to spread the warm maple frosting over the first layer, stack the second on top, and then spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides before it sets. If you prefer, you can substitute walnuts for the pecans in this luscious cake.

View Recipe: Pecan Spice Cake with Maple Frosting

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Fresh Coconut Cake

Rather than knocking you out with fake coconut extract overtones, this cake offers balanced flavor and nutrition—two things you can feel good about when serving a slice to your lucky guests. Associate Food Editor Julianna Grimes comments, "This cake has tall, moist layers with the finest crumb. Plus, I'm a really big fan of fresh coconut."

View Recipe: Fresh Coconut Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pumpkin Pie Cake

To lighten this stunning dessert, we cut out three-quarters of a cup of oil and combined whole eggs and egg substitute. The result: 11 fewer grams of fat. We used light cream cheese for the frosting, reducing fat by an additional 7 grams. Now with only 223 calories per slice, this centerpiece is a nutritional masterpiece.

View Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cake

Double-Caramel Turtle Cake

This decadent cake, which plays off the popular Turtle candies, boasts chocolate layers and a nutty caramel glaze.

View Recipe: Double-Caramel Turtle Cake

Photo: Randy Mayor

Strawberry Layer Cake

For a dessert that looks as good as it tastes, this Strawberry Layer Cake is an elegant treat for any occasion. Tip: you can use fresh orange juice instead of Grand Marnier in the cream cheese frosting.

View Recipe: Strawberry Layer Cake

White Birthday Cake with Italian Meringue Icing

This gorgeous white cake is especially great for birthdays. The fluffy meringue icing glides easily over the layers and acts as a canvas for any decoration you choose.

View Recipe: White Birthday Cake with Italian Meringue Icing

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Yellow Butter Cake with Vanilla Meringue Frosting

This recipe is a classic in every way: light, fluffy and moist cake with just a hint of bourbon and vanilla flavor, covered with a traditional meringue buttercream-style frosting. "This is the one thing everyone couldn't stop talking about at taste testing," says Food Editor Ann Taylor Pittman.

View Recipe: Yellow Butter Cake with Vanilla Meringue Frosting

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pumpkin-Orange Cake

This dessert is simply stunning, from the auburn-colored cake to the luscious cream cheese filling to the rubylike pomegranate seeds and mandarin oranges arranged on top. With so elegant a presentation, it's sure to impress, especially since it tastes as wonderful as it looks.

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Orange Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Coconut Cake with Buttercream Frosting

This coconut cake recipe is one of our readers all-time favorites. The frosting also pairs wonderfully with other cake flavors like carrot, spice and basic white. Garnish the cake plate with sugar-frosted cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

View Recipe: Coconut Cake with Buttercream Frosting