19 Classic Southern Cakes You’ll Bake Again and Again

Southern cakes are more than desserts — they are traditions passed down from one generation to the next. These recipes are full of bold flavors, simple ingredients, and homemade charm that make them worth baking again and again.

Red Velvet Layer Cake with White Chocolate Frosting

Red Velvet Layer Cake with White Chocolate Frosting
Red Velvet Layer Cake with White Chocolate Frosting. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This decadent Southern classic combines velvety soft, moist cake with subtle cocoa notes and that iconic crimson color. Topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s the show-stopping dessert your celebration deserves. A true taste of tradition in every heavenly bite.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Layer Cake with White Chocolate Frosting

Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird Cake. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

Indulge in this luscious Hummingbird cake, where sweet fruits mingle in a decadently moist batter. Crowned with velvety cream cheese icing, each bite delivers tropical paradise flavors that will transport you to dessert heaven.
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Cake

Lane Cake

Lane Cake
Lane Cake. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in Alabama’s treasured Lane Cake, a Southern classic with rich heritage. This moist layer cake filled with bourbon-soaked fruit and topped with fluffy frosting is easier to make than you think. Discover this beloved dessert that’s perfect for special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Lane Cake

Jam Cake

Jam Cake
Jam Cake. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in this nostalgic Old Fashioned Jam Cake, where warm spices mingle with sweet raisins and crunchy nuts. The decadent brown sugar frosting adds the perfect finishing touch to this easy-to-make dessert that will transport you to grandma’s kitchen with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Jam Cake

Old-fashioned cream cheese pound cake

Old-fashioned cream cheese pound cake
Old-fashioned cream cheese pound cake. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in this velvety cream cheese pound cake that strikes the perfect balance between rich and light. Our easy recipe yields a buttery, moist texture with a delicate crumb that will have everyone asking for seconds. A timeless dessert that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Old-fashioned cream cheese pound cake

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake
St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic St. Louis dessert features a luscious, gooey filling that melts in your mouth atop a tender cake crust. The rich, buttery sweetness creates an irresistible indulgence beloved throughout the Midwest. One bite and you’ll understand why it’s a cherished tradition!
Get the Recipe: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Old-Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake with Pecans

Old-Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake with Pecans
Old-Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake with Pecans. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This Southern treasure features moist, tender cake layers embraced by velvety homemade caramel frosting. Each decadent bite delivers nostalgic sweetness that transforms any gathering into a celebration worth remembering.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake with Pecans

Southern Pig Pickin’ Cake with Mandarin Oranges

Southern Pig Pickin’ Cake with Mandarin Oranges
Southern Pig Pickin’ Cake with Mandarin Oranges. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in this tropical delight that’s bursting with sweet mandarin oranges and crowned with a cloud-like pineapple coconut frosting. Each bite brings sunshine to your palate—a refreshing Southern classic that’s perfect for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pig Pickin’ Cake with Mandarin Oranges

Easy German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix

Easy German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix
Easy German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

Indulge in this semi-homemade German Chocolate Cake that combines convenience with homemade goodness. Start with a simple boxed mix, then crown it with our luscious, made-from-scratch coconut pecan icing for a decadent dessert that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix

Cracker Barrel Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake

Cracker Barrel Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
Cracker Barrel Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in this decadent dessert that combines rich chocolate cake with the unique flavor of Coca-Cola. Moist, fudgy layers topped with a gooey chocolate frosting create a sweet sensation that rivals Cracker Barrel’s famous version. A must-try for chocolate lovers!
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake

Iced Lemon Pound Cake

Iced Lemon Pound Cake
Iced Lemon Pound Cake. Photo credit: Feast and West.

This buttery, moist pound cake bursts with vibrant lemon flavor in every bite. The tangy glaze adds the perfect finishing touch to what might become your new favorite dessert. Simply irresistible for any citrus lover!
Get the Recipe: Iced Lemon Pound Cake

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Cake Mix

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Cake Mix
Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Cake Mix. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This buttery, golden cake combines the convenience of boxed mix with the wow-factor of caramelized pineapple topping. It’s a foolproof crowd-pleaser that brings nostalgic flavor to any gathering without hours in the kitchen. The perfect balance of sweet fruit and moist cake!
Get the Recipe: Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Cake Mix

Incredibly Moist Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Incredibly Moist Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Incredibly Moist Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This moist banana cake topped with velvety cream cheese frosting combines simplicity with indulgence. Perfect for family gatherings or afternoon treats, it transforms overripe bananas into a crowd-pleasing dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Incredibly Moist Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Texas Sheet Cake with Chocolate Pecan Frosting

Texas Sheet Cake with Chocolate Pecan Frosting
Texas Sheet Cake with Chocolate Pecan Frosting. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in our decadent chocolate sheet cake topped with velvety chocolate pecan buttercream. Every bite delivers rich flavor and perfect moisture. Ideal for parties, this crowd-pleaser will have everyone asking for seconds!
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake with Chocolate Pecan Frosting

Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi Mud Cake
Mississippi Mud Cake. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This Southern masterpiece combines layers of rich, fudgy chocolate cake with cloud-like marshmallow creme, all crowned with silky chocolate frosting. Every decadent bite delivers pure comfort and indulgence that chocolate lovers dream about.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake

Reese's Peanut Butter Cake
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake. Photo credit: Stetted.

Indulge in our decadent peanut butter cake topped with luscious peanut butter chocolate frosting. Made with self-rising flour for an irresistibly tender crumb, this showstopper dessert transforms any ordinary day into a celebration worth savoring.
Get the Recipe: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake

Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in our moist apple bundt cake bursting with warm autumn spices, juicy raisins, and crunchy walnuts. Each slice delivers the perfect balance of tender crumb and decadent creamy frosting. A cozy fall dessert that celebrates the season’s freshest apples.
Get the Recipe: Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Praline Poke Cake

Praline Poke Cake
Praline Poke Cake. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Indulge in this Southern masterpiece – a moist pecan cake layered with buttery filling and decadent praline topping. So irresistible it vanishes from plates in minutes! Curious about the secret ingredient that makes it exceptional?
Get the Recipe: Praline Poke Cake

Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake

Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake
Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in a slice of nostalgia with our perfect copycat of Cracker Barrel’s beloved carrot cake. This homemade version delivers all the moisture and flavor of the original, with the perfect balance of pineapple sweetness, coconut texture, and nutty crunch.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake

Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake Recipe

Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake Recipe
Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake Recipe. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Cozy up with our classic gingerbread cake, a timeless treat that brings warmth to any gathering. Rich molasses blends with aromatic spices in this perfectly moist, old-fashioned dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make. A slice of nostalgic comfort perfect for your fall or holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake Recipe

Classic Fresh Strawberry Cake

Classic Fresh Strawberry Cake
Classic Fresh Strawberry Cake. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

This vintage strawberry cake combines convenience with fresh flavors, featuring a time-saving cake mix, seasonal strawberries, and an irresistible strawberry buttercream frosting. It’s the perfect balance of nostalgic charm and modern simplicity for your next celebration!
Get the Recipe: Classic Fresh Strawberry Cake

Augusta National’s Recipe For Sour Cream Pound Cake

Augusta National's Recipe For Sour Cream Pound Cake
Augusta National’s Recipe For Sour Cream Pound Cake. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Augusta National’s sour cream pound cake is a buttery masterpiece that melts in your mouth. Its velvety texture and rich flavor make it the perfect dessert to impress guests or treat loved ones. This timeless classic turns any meal into a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Augusta National’s Recipe For Sour Cream Pound Cake

Spice Cake

Spice Cake
Spice Cake. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

Indulge in this versatile spice cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether layered or baked in a single pan, its warm aromatic flavors shine through. Topped with rich cream cheese icing, each bite delivers the perfect balance of spice and sweetness that will leave you craving more.
Get the Recipe: Spice Cake

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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