![Ouida’s Chocolate Delight](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/HFXfirNv58YxjV2uWi4Ima6rkD4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2665601_ErinN_0213-2000-7b88f1a2e1bd40bba7070fc01476cf3d.jpg)
In our opinion, no meal is complete without dessert, and this luscious collection of dessert recipes is so delicious you'll definitely be tempted to eat your desserts first. Whether you're in the mood for our classic Hummingbird Cake, easy Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, or something new like our Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes, our collection of dessert recipes has a sweet treat for any occasion.
Our best desserts have solutions for hurried hosts, like our easy Cakey Strawberry Cobbler, which only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time. But we also have dessert recipes for impressing your next dinner party guests like layer cakes, pound cakes, pies, and tarts. We've got options for the spring—our Strawberry Lemonade Cake is a beautiful way to celebrate the season—and the fall (Sea Salt-Caramel Cake is calling our name). And don't worry, whether you're craving homemade ice cream or fixing a fruit pie, we have you covered. Now, you've just got to make sure to leave enough room for dessert!
Hummingbird Cake
![Hummingbird Cake on a green cake stand](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/OyPqNEXZbXUsR3-Q2s84sgOPzAA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/HummingBirdCake_Beauty_493_square-2000-2004d92ec41a4d419db78106e6c2347f.jpg)
If you love Southern Living, you'll know how proud we are of our Hummingbird Cake. We celebrate it every chance we get. It's not just pretty. It's not just tasty. It's a wonder. Thanks to Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina, this pineapple-banana spice cake with cream cheese frosting became one of our most requested recipes. Decades after it graced the pages of our magazine, we still stand by Mrs. Wiggins' original, indulgent creation.
Atlantic Beach Pie
![Atlantic Beach Pie](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/NkfBDLmXJe9qMub_ERjmmdL2wSQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2654101_Lemon_212-2000-6cec9a7fc34f43e1a7ec933c27b32197.jpg)
Often referred to as the easiest pie ever, this citrus pie from North Carolina Chef Bill Smith is just the dessert hot summer days need. One reviewer claimed it is the best lemon pie they've ever eaten.
Cakey Strawberry Cobbler
![Cakey Strawberry Cobbler in a casserole dish and bowl](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/gt_0B_Z3vuf09oaYkRqDjnXY3K8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cakey-strawberry-cobbler-step-3-111_preview-524b9c2cad4d48548c3ca997e2539a1d.jpg)
Fresh strawberries and cake-like filling bake together to create this delicious batter cobbler. You can substitute sliced stone fruit, like peaches, for the strawberries if you prefer, but we love the taste of strawberries and a dash of lemon zest in this cobbler. You can easily refrigerate the leftovers, but don't expect to have any!
Easy Peach Cobbler
![Easy Peach Cobbler](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/7G8-dGLJ3ycGl7ZVnzOQDSUllxA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy_peach_cobbler_2473902_10838uc_0_0_0_0_1_0_0-b1ade66c5ab84e2a894d39ae532c2cf8.jpg)
We can't get enough of fresh peaches—especially in a warm cobbler with a gorgeous, golden brown crust. If you're going to try a new recipe for a peach dish this season, make it this one.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
![Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/3VkVVibmsaTWjCz2_SpX_vTn2Ls=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl-digi-brown-butter-choc-chip-cookies153_0_0_1_0_0_0_0_0_1-2d4d813b5411498cb1442b5885ca3437.jpg)
This anytime hit is good enough to make Grandma proud. What's the trick? Browning butter. This simple step gives that classic cookie dough its signature taste and chewy, crisp texture. It's a quick, extra step worth taking every time.
Chocolate Cobbler
![Chocolate Cobbler](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/6FjM3vm7yMUkALDO7QshNvp1P0g=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2604301_cobbler_271_1-2000-be7071f824ba4e3aa65b9edec3c9e5ac.jpg)
A simple list of ingredients that you probably almost always have on hand in your pantry is used to create a decadent chocolate dessert that can be described as a mix of cake and pudding. If there's one tip we have for you, it's that no matter how tempted you may be, absolutely do not stir the cobbler after pouring the water over the chocolate mixture. This helps create the pudding pockets while it's in the oven.
Egg Custard Pie
![Egg Custard Pie](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/-TUhStI8bNTMGzkqpznF3q5KYBY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/egg_custard_pie_0-1-2dd5c5cb45be42c6bc9439645c4314e2.jpg)
We think this old-fashioned pie still deserves a spot on dessert tables today. You may be surprised to learn that you just need a handful of ingredients to pull together a dessert that guests of all ages will enjoy.
Shaker Lemon Pie
![Shaker Lemon Pie from Mountain Measures](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/iVyVKiKaFxKgOBUNQyH7XMM4bJU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2536301_junio_0329_0_0-fdb65938ad36412284a2c3ed2412c86b.jpg)
Straight from the pages of the Junior League of Charleston, West Virginia's Mountain Measures cookbook, this old-fashioned pie deserves a comeback. Made with thinly sliced whole lemons—peels and all—this incredibly easy citrus dessert only calls for four ingredients.
Sea Salt-Caramel Cake
![Sea Salt-Caramel Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/eXBR0JOZ_ZmLra_S11dCmQSllQw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2546601_layer_1_0-2000-ef59ac06b0e745c185953b6513586ceb.jpg)
This cake may well be the ultimate in layer cake decadence. While these tender cake layers taste divine, it's the caramel frosting that really wows. It's outrageously rich—and doesn't require the use of a candy thermometer. In this recipe, you'll see that the rumor is true: Salt really does bring out, enrich, and enlarge the flavor of the sweet caramel.
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
![Cream Cheese Pound Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/tynHmGj5fmEiKQHxoDFtpjL2IcI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_Cream-Cheese-Cake164_0_0-621d0d0471b44c718e56ddca0ea1c973.jpg)
You can't go wrong with a cake so beloved. Look no further for the perfect pound cake recipe. This traditional cake is extra-rich. It's also sturdy and substantial because of the cream cheese, and it is always, always in style. Fourth of July? Perfect. Thanksgiving? Ideal. Christmas? Nothing better. Half-birthdays? Yes. We've even been known to dream up holidays on random Wednesday afternoons just to get in the kitchen to make this beauty.
Hot Buttered Rum Bread Pudding
![Hot Buttered Rum Bread Pudding](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/O3Leds6Ey5VvalW7lhvzCCeKtpw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2617001_spiri_bread_pudding_352_1_0-2000-9d06b028f191433bae773eee51b55e23.jpg)
Is there anything more comforting or indulgent than a bread pudding? Maybe, but taking one look at this buttered pan of bread pudding, we can't think of anything we would rather nibble on a chilly fall evening. Though you are free to make this dessert in summer if you have a craving for a rum dessert.
Wacky Cake
![Wacky Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/npa61jC8GkE-Af8G7GwQGdYSta0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2604301_wacky_cake_163-2000-aff88d6678f64d478504b55590aca5c6.jpg)
The batter for this chocolate cake is mixed together right in the pan, so there's no dirty mixing bowl in the sink. Originally created to make during leaner times, it also doesn't call for any eggs or milk. We top the simple cake with a layer of fudgy icing sprinkled with toasted pecans for an even sweeter finish,
Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake
![Strawberry-Lemonade Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/LY3KZWPgb8Zy8QQ-_o_cYtuq3qE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/strawberry_lemonade_cake_0_0_0-1bc7f99a03d64f2f9997c9692228ee05.jpg)
You can assemble this recipe for Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake up to two days ahead of time, minimizing prep time—which we love. Be sure to store at room temperature. Also, you can freeze cooled layers for up to a month in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, ensuring that you are always ready to assemble a layer cake for impromptu parties and get-togethers anytime during the day or night.
Mississippi Mud Cake
![Mississippi Mud Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/v_1duvy2f8nw5wxcbRcOvaNU6PQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_Mississippi-Mud-Cake063_0_0-6b1231f855c64a378fe0f1ac59a7ba12.jpg)
Imagine the richest, darkest, most indulgent chocolate dessert you've ever eaten. Now add some marshmallows, and you've got this decadent yet simple-to-bake cake. Mississippi is known for many things, but a Mississippi Mud Cake is one of the tastiest things we can trace back to the great state of Mississippi.
Classic Chocolate Pound Cake
![Classic Chocolate Pound Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/hPAr9yU56p-sDNI8FZveg01eTLY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Chocolate-Pound-Cake-2000-bd2b6721edf24b6ca9b662644d872110.jpg)
This moist, classic chocolate cake is dusted with powdered sugar to create a slice that chocolate lovers will dream of for days. Plus, with just 30 minutes needed, this traditional cake is a great recipe for experienced and novice bakers alike.
Red Velvet Brownies
![Red Velvet Brownies](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/HIQe63TiWqK8T2QSvrrldAF2Y6o=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/slseo_11202019_0028_red_velvet_brownies-2000-169368d66beb456fb86f4b8a866ebe09.jpg)
This scrumptious, melt-in-your-mouth treat combines two things almost everyone loves: red velvet and brownies. Our red velvet brownies are a bite-size version of the classic cake. Top them with a decadent cream cheese frosting for the ultimate dessert. It is just special enough—a few degrees beyond a traditional chocolate brownie—and it can be dressed up so easily with a beautiful topping of frosting, icing, cream cheese, or whipped cream.
Classic Chess Pie
![slices of Classic Chess Pie on multi-color plates](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/mndpKqwxcfhz2NYo7qJ7qXj8fTs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/classic-chess-pie-54-1_preview-8de7af8bbbe8418d9443b0cd8b1b1679.jpg)
It may be simple, but that doesn't make this classic dessert any less impressive. We use refrigerated pie crust to help pull together this old-fashioned pie recipe with ease.
Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie
![Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/KjafpAIo70yQTdPShE-Q30wO0H8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2425701_50yea45350_5-1-bbfdb627b509492a8a393857b5de41cc.jpg)
We're Southerners. We know our pecan pie, and this twist on a regional favorite has us wishing for pecan harvest. We'll spend days picking up pecans in the orchard if it means we can conjure this chocolate-bourbon concoction in the kitchen. We have also gained a new appreciation for whiskey. The liquor goes way beyond drinking and finds its way into sauces, braises, and especially desserts.
Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake
![Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/0uKoeX_LnI7kG-MUtiBWGNFForw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2572901_saver_089-b_0_1_0-8ee72ffcf9024502bdf0af1898970660.jpg)
Next time you think you need to run to the grocery store before a summer party for a premade, store-bought dessert, think again. Set aside some time to practice your cooking skills and make this Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake. With its medley of flavors and infusion of fresh seasonal peaches, it will be leagues better than anything you find covered in plastic in a bakery section. Garnish with a drizzle of homemade glaze for a pretty, party-worthy finish.
Red Velvet Cake Balls
![Red Velvet Cake Balls](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/pJgdCTY_0M64fOSH2HbnHkh2pcw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SLSEO_11202019_0032_Red-Velvet-Cake-Balls-2000-964885010bb340ddaa7eca5494a18bda.jpg)
When we think of velvet, we think smooth, luxurious, elegant, beautiful, indulgent. And it's true: all of those words can be used to describe this decadent but festive cake balls recipe. Plus, the frosting and sprinkles are a scene-stealer. This tasty creation is made out of red velvet cake that is bonded together with homemade cream cheese frosting and coated in white chocolate for a combination you can't pass up. Don't take our word for it. You've got to taste it for yourself.
Fresh Peach Ice Cream
![Fresh Peach Ice Cream](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Cb-f_5yUfMJn8I9ywudFs13DidQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dbfb1ed9-829a-4cdf-af8e-ddbd78cf399a_2-64deb8228bcf47c4abe5dd549806c3ad.png)
When peach season rolls in—in the South, any time from May to September—we're out in the orchard, picking plump, sweet ingredients to churn into this sweet mixture, which is one of our absolute favorite ice cream recipes. We guarantee that your family will ask for this chilly treat over and over again. Best of all, the seven-ingredient mixture requires no cooking, just stirring.
Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake
![Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/shBDx33djRMPzj8EPwRB98zh-Bw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2617001_spiri_spiked_eggnog_bundt_226_0-2000-ca2c12fb7e254175bedcfe545ed7558b.jpg)
Did you think eggnog was just for December holiday parties? Think again. This light and fluffy Bundt cake makes eggnog accessible all year round—in warm weather and in cool weather—though we have to admit, it is still perfect for family gatherings around the holidays. Just when you thought Bundt cake couldn't get any better—eggnog and nutmeg raise the bar.
Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies
![Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies Recipe](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/7KaPdxNdFzczYHfkyhpp5ppgpaM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fudgy_flourless_chocolate-pecan_cookies_2513302_scher_1443_0_0_0_1_0_0_0_0-2000-af4d43f1636944cd9a514b7ad8836d46.jpg)
Fudgy and flourless? It's possible, and this simple chocolatey recipe is proof. Thanks to whipped egg whites, the cookies are airy and crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside, like a brownie in cookie form.
Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake
![Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/k3JwL-50wzeFHWO-LwBVgTyiQlg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl-digi-red-white-blue-poke-cake221_0_0_0_1_1-7b9ac82599924f7eb52c25a7b69f410e.jpg)
The ultimate patriotic dessert for a Fourth of July celebration, this cake has everything: bursting berries, rich mascarpone frosting, and fresh fruit filling. It has red, white, and blue to spare. Our patriotic spin on poke cake is the coolest dessert of summer. With a cake this pretty and patriotic, it serves as decoration and dessert all at once.
The Ultimate Carrot Cake
![Ultimate Carrot Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/eWiXTDlrHbEjkPF9JY8TVadlaYg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2363901_saver_0014_sdw-1-614d5da342de4e49b6ee163a4067ff58.jpg)
A classic at the pinnacle of its powers, our recipe for The Ultimate Carrot Cake is a multi-purpose, always-appropriate star of the dessert table. It is dense and moist, an ideal no-fail recipe for when you need a reliable go-to cake. We went for three thick layers plus a creamy brown sugar-cream cheese frosting. For additional edible decoration, try our recipe for candied carrot curls, pretty helixes that add something special to the display. It's a traditional cake, but with a few thoughtful touches, it feels brand new.
Homemade Cookies-and-Cream Ice Cream
![Cookies and Cream Ice Cream](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/y1VGeTYr95mrq9X8tSgilQfasM4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cookies-and-cream-ice-cream-0419seo_011_0_0_0-2000-434237fa20da43a8b42e463fb831f786.jpg)
Here, five ingredients come together in a swirl of cookies and cream. All you need is your electric ice cream maker and a little freezing time. This combination elevates a typical summer afternoon ice cream treat to a memorable experience—certainly a moment to savor. For a party, we like to showcase scooped cones in decorative glassware for a personal touch.
Caramel Apple Cake
![Caramel Apple Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/SudHrHaYaDUgibt97ALk4oD_scQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2417901_saver31867_0-75a785e49b2445fcb467796d505a13fc.jpg)
Looking out your window, you may imagine the leaves changing green to red to gold as you smell fresh apple cake baking in your oven. We would bake this dessert any time of year just to imagine the arrival of autumn, but it's true that this cake is at its best in September, October, and November when fresh apple harvests send crisp, sweet, freshly-picked apples dripping with flavor into our fruit baskets.
Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake
![Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/PTyw3sXBEZ1u6uiPNn3RWOHAo5k=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2548901_patri_redvelveticecremecake_291_0_0_0_0_1_0_0-93b60fa3b59548b3a96e7e5d9b749fd4.jpg)
This frozen dessert comes together quickly. After mixing, this ice cream cake recipe just needs a little time to set in the freezer. It's an ideal blend, with its depth of flavor enhanced by fresh berries on top. Plus, its red, white, and blue layers make it the perfect treat to pull out of the freezer after a Fourth of July feast.
Mississippi Mud Cheesecake
![Mississippi Mud Cheesecake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Alp53PoZdwmlAhtY9LFBeV89EOQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Mississippi20Mud20Cheesecake_0-2000-6b77024b0f1b4eeeaed29d8b9a8c7917.jpg)
Fluffy marshmallows, chopped pecans, and chocolate frosting—who knew that mud could be so delicious? Mississippi did. This Southern state knows how to do a chocolate dessert just right, and we've taken it to another level in our Mississippi Mud Cheesecake. Just look at those crunchy, nutty pecans; smooth, chewy mini marshmallows; and decadent, chocolatey cheesecake. There's definitely nothing better than these treats to pacify a chocoholic.
Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies
![Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Fs6L_naEFAL0rnm2ySYj2LUKdkM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2615601_thegi_sprinkle_sandwich_cookies_270_0_0-2000-1ae5e5c1d4874deab2f1a0be0559ba54.jpg)
As cute as they are addicting, it may be hard to eat just one. These colorful cookies are perfect for a gift box of holiday treats, and you can use different colored sprinkles throughout the year to celebrate the seasons, your favorite school's team, or any special holiday. With two cookies sandwiching together vanilla buttercream, what's there not to love?
Coca Cola Chocolate Cake
![Coca Cola Chocolate Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/oG_Fgi8wqKZ_aBg3zBZJgRPQZAY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2589203_sodac_coca_cola_layer_cake_335_0-2000-922f10bf258f495ea085f42186955aad.jpg)
Our cola cake is simply one of the best in the world. The magical brew of carbonated cola is the secret to the tender texture of the cake and chocolate frosting. You can use any number of similar colas, but since Coca-Cola is the quintessential Southern beverage—first blended in Atlanta (where the ever-popular Coca-Cola factory welcomes visitors to this day) in the early 20th century, then disseminated in mid-1900s soda fountains across the country—we created the ultimate Cola Cake. It's a sheet cake with a rich syrup, and it certainly lives up to the Southern beverage that anchors it.
Dr Pepper Texas Sheet Cake
![Dr Pepper Texas Sheet Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/injbr-fxQgFAyw5uwELV7qubqFQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2589203_sodac_dr_pepper_texas_sheet_cake_082_0_0_0-4b7ced30969e4f22844adf7806bce451.jpg)
Everything is bigger in Texas. Everything is more decadent there too, it seems. Somehow, Texas claimed the sheet cake as its own in the mid-20th century, perhaps because of the pecans, an ingredient that grows in abundance throughout the Lone Star State. Better yet, this cake takes its cues not only from the classic, but also from the beloved flavor of Texas-made Dr Pepper too. The defining element is its shape—and, of course, the icing, which has to be heated and poured on the warm, just-out-of-the-oven cake. The result is a rich, chocolaty treat that's iconic in Texas.
Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting
![Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/KFt9RYxMxcoiOF_URL8fXd1n1uE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2589203_sodac_cheerwine_cherry_cupcakes_160_0_0_1-ed457fbf18684053aadb01b606b82889.jpg)
Inspired by the classic North Carolina cherry-flavored soda, these cupcakes are the cherry on top for any event. This recipe lets you transform your favorite way to bake a cake into a cherry treat. Whether you combine the bubbly drink with a recipe for homemade white cake or pound cake or a packaged cake mix, the result is a pale pink crumb that tastes of almond extract and mild cherry.
No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
![No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/pfb0RlMqtMRnFJcAE1Zr34r7lyU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lemoniceboxcake_0004-s-1-2000-91039c66b9da4c96b49781d484699c7d.jpg)
Zesty is the perfect word for this refreshing citrus dessert. It is completely invigorating on a hot summer day. And, lo and behold, there's no baking involved. With just 15 minutes of hands-on time, you'll have a gingersnap-based crust that's prime for freezing. After freezing, pile in the cool, creamy filling, and you're ready to serve.
Homemade Pralines
![Pralines](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/9w2covMk-cga_lhLTv5BOOGHRgk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2623901_south0001_0-2000-52e08c424a2949419dc3baa82776ea25.jpg)
As Southern as they come, making your first batch of Homemade Pralines is like a right of passage. One of the many dazzling and flavorful things to hail from New Orleans, these sweet and creamy treats have become a holiday tradition for many across the South. They make wonderful food gifts anytime of year, but there's something delightful about in baking a batch just to have at home too.
Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
![Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/cqyNEHXNeHVXN673qCTqxP0qvyA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2341302_butte_054_2_0_1-13785e041d144f579ef2e0b4ef21acd9.jpg)
We took the traditional pound cake recipe and raised it a stunning, triple-chocolate twist. This cake means business. A duo of glazes—one creamy chocolate, the other subtle buttermilk—comes together atop this dreamy confection. It's indulgent and, we admit, so much fun to eat and serve. Chocolate enthusiasts will be over the moon for this recipe, but it has enough unexpected flavor—thanks to the addition of the buttermilk glaze—that you'll also win over the harder-to-please dessert eaters at the table. Warning: You—and they—won't be able to resist a second slice. Go for it. We won't tell.
Fresh Apple Cake
![Apple Cake Recipes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Cgqp-BbXORmFFdWiApi3pibH0lk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/st_9630_foapca101220674_0_0-b9455756616846eabaa8a4bf5058f8d9.jpg)
This classic is so fresh and substantial that it can stand on its own. Thinly sliced fresh apples (the recipe calls for two and a half pounds of Granny Smith apples) create rich, moist, irresistible layers of fruit within the cake. This cake can truly do it all. Go simple or adorn it if you'd like to take the recipe a delicious step further. Take your pick of your favorite topping, and cover the apple cake with your choice of Browned Butter Frosting, Cream Cheese Frosting, or Dark Chocolate Frosting. You can't go wrong with your choice. It's just that good.
The Red Velvet Cake
![The Red Velvet Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/qh1uhJXFJgUlcxG79Gs9KYJ2NI8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2446401_south2058_0-52f6361e9dc04c4baf93a34bd55dc3b6.jpg)
This cake requires an article before the title. It's not just any red velvet cake. It is The Red Velvet Cake. For good reason: Red velvet cakes are almost universally loved. When you cut into a cake and realize it's red velvet, not just vanilla or chocolate, euphoria sets in. It's a very special cake. Red velvet has even been celebrated in film, memorialized in comedic form. In 1989, an armadillo-shaped groom's cake in Steel Magnolias kicked off a cult following for red velvet. The craze has continued for decades, fueled in part by the red velvet cakes that have graced the Southern Living Christmas cover three times.
Praline Bread Pudding
![Praline Bread Pudding](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/0n7BSF7Oy8q9QPrTrNBQCnhndzM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2281801_saver9593_0-c635261f75484090a078ad8d313fbb27.jpg)
Talk about comfort food. We were, weren't we? This dish oozes sweetness, the perfect Southern indulgence. It's no typical bread pudding, though. We gave our favorite bread pudding a Louisiana-style revival with the addition of an oh-so-decadent homemade Praline Sauce. Our Test Kitchen recommends using stale, day-old bread—better for soaking up the sweet custard. So once your bread has graced your shelf just a day too long, you'll know it's time to whip up this sweet treat. We love dipping generous helpings into petite clear dishes—which are all the better to showcase the layers of gooey praline goodness that await you during the dessert course.
Fudge Pie
![Fudge Pie](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/TA7mmmCo5TRPpLg_3u3wCxB49_8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2288902_commu15940_0_0_1_0-1-51a3875f6ea24c72861064c689b9eae6.jpg)
This Fudge Pie starts with semi-sweet chocolate and pecans and ends with a dollop of ice cream on top. To keep things easy, it calls for a frozen pie crust, but the end result is so tasty, anyone who cuts a slice may swear it's fully from scratch. Delicious doesn't even begin to describe it.
The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake
![The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/syaRjNpR_U2EQjwl5rhUBMD0TMc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2446401_south2218-04206753c17d4d069844ed57f9f978b6.jpg)
Expecting a twist on cheesecake? You're in for an even sweeter surprise. These layers are filled with a buttery, rich lemon curd instead. Light, sweet, and tart: It's a beguiling blend. The curd is smooth, a bright citrus explosion within a sweet cheesecake concoction. It's like nothing you've ever tasted. The Lemon-Orange Buttercream frosting coats the exterior of the cake like a sweet, thick veil. It opens to the lemon curd interior and doubles, nay, triples the citrus flavor. Perfect for summer, this sweet cake is best served outside, under a starry sky, surrounded by glowing candles and light, fresh cocktails.
Easy Blackberry Cobbler
![Easy Blackberry Cobbler](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/JiShhG1CtKLJSMDIdeZW7asSF70=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fo_d94015c67bbb53da_spcms_2_0-b080033ce47d417a9e2401c85abec3d2.jpg)
Make the most of summer's blackberry bounty with this recipe for blackberry cobbler. Our farmers' markets and grocery stores are filled with blackberries for sale, and we've already picked up more than one container. This versatile, deep-purple-hued berry is a winner. A winning fruit demands a top-notch recipe, which we provide here. This recipe for blackberry cobbler is so simple that it only uses six ingredients. Six! Easy to make on even the most harried of nights, you can make it special by topping it with whipped cream and garnish with sprigs of fragrant mint. Confession: We planted an herb garden last spring in anticipation of just this sort of recipe. There's nothing quite like a garnish of fresh herbs in a flavorful summer dessert.
Strawberry Dream Cake
![Strawberry Dream Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/rOkvEEgtlut-G-xteUfxK5lxN5M=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/strawberry-dream-cake-greg_dupree-6237787c5e104f3c9a19a1fb2733f178.jpg)
This Strawberry Dream Cake is an elegant and eye-catching surprise! It's sure to astonish at any prince-themed birthday party. The fluffy whipped frosting and upright strawberries make for a stunningly beautiful display.
Coconut Chiffon Cake
![The Coconut Chiffon Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/0_BrniLZNwYwRTGLkzlBZwXvqm0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2446401_south2008_0-1-3ec02edfbc914e4e8544921e9ad3514b.jpg)
White as a Sunday glove, coconut is the doyenne of Southern layer cakes, a masterpiece of home cookery that has crowned dining room sideboards for more than a hundred years. Is there anything as delicate as Coconut Chiffon? It's an almost diaphanous mixture, flavorful and dainty and sweet. We see it gracing the dessert tables at showers, weddings, luncheons—anywhere that calls for casual elegance and a pretty (impressive) dessert. It doesn't call attention to itself, though—this is no red velvet cake—but it is such a beautiful, comfortable addition to any event that, no doubt, all of its slices will disappear on cocktail plates to be smiled at and savored.
Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
![Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/z9UWX8Ru9k7SKebfLeHKbCYLa8I=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2280801_straw14777_0-d2b666a1ceda485d868703486292df38.jpg)
When served in a dish, strawberries and cream are a favorite English dessert and traditional teatime accompaniment. This strawberries and cream riff on the sheet cake will have your guests fawning over a new way to enjoy the fruit and cream mix. One of the most versatile desserts, strawberries and cream is always appropriate—it's delicate and luscious, a dulcet harmony of flavors that we can't get enough of. The fruity thrill of strawberry, the cooling comfort of cream—it's great any time. Taking that idea and transforming it into the ultimate berry sheet cake was no small feat. But we did it, and with the help of this fantastic recipe, you can too.
The Jam Cake
![The Jam Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/CHfFhePGC8MjsIf19x4fL3R3NzM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2446401_south1944_0-5b9190bf9e904adc817e6f45030f9f5a.jpg)
Jam cakes are deeply rooted in Appalachia, a region where ingredients like sugar were once expensive and scarce. There, natural sweeteners like jams, fruits, and jellies were used to sweeten cakes. Coincidentally, the berries and fruit preserves delivered a flavor so rich sugar alone could never compete. That's why the jam cake is such a prize dessert still today.
Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake
![Banana Pudding Cheesecake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/53skp2ICYra2ycjFryevKBblBkQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2040401_mezza044_5-494bc131d0204e128896d5dcb3c36110.jpg)
Serve this decadent spring dessert at your next ladies' luncheon, shower, or party and wow the crowd—all of your friends and family—with a garnish of edible flowers, which are easily purchased and shipped from online retailers. Here, we've garnished the completed and cooled Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake with edible flowers, kumquat slices, and a lovely lemon-orange buttercream frosting. It's an airy dessert, one easily enjoyed at a party or luncheon with minimal mess and minimal effort. The texture is a treasure, with the diaphanous hint of chiffon complemented by the perfectly paired citrus duo of vibrant lemon and exuberant orange.
The Lane Cake
![The Lane Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Jo91QltbTUn9T3pGa5ZYSZodEXs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2446401_south1976_0-1-6f22441106f74cd3ad8e5279e99a7ed0.jpg)
In March 1966, Southern Living featured a recipe for Lane Cake in its second issue. Our latest twist? Dried peaches (finely diced and ridiculously delicious) stand in for raisins, and the traditional meringue frosting gets a spirited makeover with—get this—a triple shot of peach schnapps. This is your summer cake. The levity of meringue plus the playful taste of peach schnapps makes this cake a fruity cocktail of a dessert. We love it at summer parties, and the meringue frosting creates a dramatic visual, sweeping and soaring and inviting guests to partake in a party of a cake. It's covered in clouds but it's a substantial sweet. It's a dessert that defies gravity.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
![Pineapple-Upside Down Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/vTxEJT2IGcsyomSgBNHGSKEcVPs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/skillet-cakes-2046401_thera141_0_0_0-2000-6d2c4a97ce254c1e88ba26e66c3be564.jpg)
Moist, delicious, and surprisingly easy, this upside-down cake may become your go-to recipe for entertaining. After you try it for the first time, you'll wonder how you ever got on without this recipe card in your life.
Chocolate Delight
![Ouida’s Chocolate Delight](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/HFXfirNv58YxjV2uWi4Ima6rkD4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2665601_ErinN_0213-2000-7b88f1a2e1bd40bba7070fc01476cf3d.jpg)
No matter what you call it, this chocolate dessert with layers of pudding and whipped topping is sure to delight. We bet the first bite will bring back memories of summers past.