Recipes Everyday Cooking More Meal Ideas Retro Recipes 20 Classic Cake Recipes Straight From Grandma's Kitchen These tried-and-true recipes are grandma-approved. By Corey Williams Corey Williams Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on August 27, 2024 Close Photo: Alison Miksch What's the secret ingredient in these tried-and-true cakes? Love. No, seriously: These recipes, which have been passed down through the generations, were submitted by the grandchildren of some very talented bakers—and the memories made in Grandma's kitchen are probably even sweeter than the cakes themselves. Whether you're in the mood for a basic Bundt or decadent chocolate dessert, you'll find a new family tradition in this collection of our very best Grandmother-approved cake recipes. 01 of 21 Grandma Ruby's Buttermilk Pound Cake Grandma Ruby's moist, dense, and sweet buttermilk pound cake has a subtle hint of lemon. It's fantastic alone, but recipe creator James Buddy Clower suggests serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. View Recipe 02 of 21 Grandma's No-Bake Cheesecake Tara C This no-bake cheesecake, which recipe creator Jennifer Horrace says has been passed down through three generations, comes together quickly and easily with just six ingredients (including cream cheese, sour cream, and a container of whipped topping). View Recipe 03 of 21 Grandma's Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake Alison Miksch Chocolate lovers won't be able to get enough of this decadent Texas sheet cake. A super sweet 5-ingredient icing is the perfect finishing touch. Add walnuts or pecans for a pleasant crunch. View Recipe 10 Texas Sheet Cake Recipes 04 of 21 Grandma's Fresh Apple Cake Looking for something delicious to bake with a bunch of fresh apples? Your search ends with this cozy apple cake with raisins and walnuts. View Recipe 15 Old-Fashioned Fall Desserts Like Grandma Used to Make 05 of 21 Grandma Leach's Fruitcake If you think you don't like fruitcake, thing again. This grandma-approved cake starts with a secret ingredient that makes it fruity, flavorful, and moist: applesauce. "It was moist, not too sweet, and so aromatic," says reviewer Asma. View Recipe 06 of 21 Grandma's Chocolate Marvel Cake Nobody will believe it when you tell them the secret ingredient in this complex chocolate cake: puréed prune baby food! Top with your favorite chocolate frosting or a simple dusting of powdered sugar. View Recipe 07 of 21 Grandma's Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Brad Pettijohn Here's a vintage upside-down cake, with canned pineapples and jarred cherries, that has stood the test of time. Your trusty cast iron skillet is the key to its golden, pleasantly crunchy crust. View Recipe 15 Grandma-Approved Recipes That Deserve a Comeback 08 of 21 Grandma's Sour Cream Pound Cake Allrecipes Sour cream is the secret ingredient in this incredibly moist, dense, and tangy pound cake. "Oh Grandma, you sure do know your pound cake," says reviewer Karen McCleane Mullin. "This is one of the best pound cakes that I ever made." View Recipe 15 Classic Grandma Desserts You'll Love to Make and Share 09 of 21 Grandma Snyder's Oatmeal Cake This old-fashioned cake is easy to make with pantry staples, such as rolled oats and evaporated milk. "Excellent, decadently sweet cake," raves reviewer SWEETSPRING. "It's even better the next day, so make it the night before. Quick, easy and delicious!" View Recipe 10 of 21 Grandma's Carrot Cake This traditional carrot cake — which is chock-full of pineapple chunks, coconut flakes, and walnuts — is topped with a rich buttermilk buttercream. View Recipe 11 of 21 Grandma Moyer's Rhubarb and Strawberry Coffee Cake This sweet coffee cake has an even sweeter history: "This was my Grandma Moyer's recipe," according to recipe creator BobbieRocks. "It has been missing since at least the mid 80s. I found it stuck the middle of an old book I got after my mom passed away. Everyone in the family has been trying to recreate this delicious coffee cake for years." View Recipe 12 of 21 Grandmother's Pound Cake II wannabe chefette This 5-ingredient, tried-and-true pound cake recipe is the real deal: It has one pound each of butter, flour, eggs, and sugar. It makes three full loaves, so it's the perfect dessert to serve a crowd. View Recipe 13 Southern Grandma Desserts That Taste Like Home 13 of 21 Grandmother's Cheesecake A sturdy shortbread crust is the perfect base for this rich, creamy, and citrusy cheesecake filling. To finish it off, top with your favorite fresh fruit or a decadent chocolate sauce. View Recipe 14 of 21 Grandma's Moist Cake Make this simple cake with just six ingredients you probably already have on hand: butter, white sugar, eggs, self-rising flour, milk, and vanilla extract. View Recipe 15 of 21 Grandma's Honey Bun Cake This deceptively simple cake starts with a package of store-bought yellow cake mix. Sour cream adds moisture and tanginess, while cinnamon and brown sugar lend cozy flavor. View Recipe 16 of 21 Grandmother's Buttermilk Poppy Seed Coffee Cake This poppyseed-speckled buttermilk pound cake features a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling. It's the perfect companion to a hot cup of coffee. View Recipe 30 Buttermilk Cakes to Use Up Your Carton 17 of 21 Nana's Old Fashioned Jelly Cake In this tasty recipe, a yellow sheet cake is topped with a layer of raspberry jelly. "It is so moist, it will melt in your mouth," according to recipe creator JAYJOSE. View Recipe 18 of 21 Granny's Mahogany Cake and Frosting Brewed coffee adds depth to this rich chocolate layer cake topped with a coffee-infused chocolate buttercream frosting. "I just made this cake and it is amazing," says reviewer Kyliet23. "This is now one of my favorite cake recipes." View Recipe 19 of 21 Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll This autumnal pumpkin roll has a rich cream cheese filling that's impossible to resist. "My guests couldn't believe I made it," according to one satisfied Allrecipes community member. "It is also quite impressive to look at. Thanks to Granny Kat!" View Recipe 20 of 21 Memaw's Lemon Sunshine Cake Convenient store-bought ingredients, such as lemon cake mix and lemon pudding mix, make this cake as easy to make as it is to eat. A fruity glaze adds moisture and sweet flavor. View Recipe 15 Cheap and Easy Lemon Cake Mix Recipes 21 of 21 More Inspiration One Bowl Chocolate Cake III | Photo by Dianne. Hungry for more delicious inspiration? Explore our entire collection of Cake Recipes. One-Bowl Chocolate Cake III Golden Rum Cake Homemade Pound Cake Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit