Holidays & Occasions Easter 59 Easter Cakes for the Prettiest Holiday Finale By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 1, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller There is more to Easter Sunday celebrations than church, dresses, parties, and egg hunts. You've also got to debut a delicious Easter cake for the occasion. Lucky for you, we've got Easter cake recipes that will wow your friends and family at every egg hunt this season. From the deliciously springy Coconut Cream Cake to a Lemon Bar Cheesecake, we've got all the Easter cakes you could ever think to make. Our Strawberry Dream Cake has a full layer of strawberries standing up inside, making for a beautiful surprise when you slice in. In the mood for something a little simpler? Opt for our Strawberry Cupcakes. Go ahead and choose your favorite Easter cake recipe, that is if you can pick just one from the bunch. Don't worry about making too many—think of those extra Easter cakes as decoration for your cake stand collection and Easter table! We're sure they'll be enjoyed. 01 of 59 Strawberry-Lemonade Cake Jen Causey Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cake This pastel cake is beautiful for an Easter spread, and it tastes like spring. 02 of 59 Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream If you're not confident with your layer cake skills, this sheet cake is perfect. 03 of 59 Key Lime Pound Cake Jen Causey Recipe: Key Lime Pound Cake Serve a taste of the Keys this spring. 04 of 59 Strawberry Dream Cake Photo: Greg Dupree Recipe: Strawberry Dream Cake We love the presentation of these cake slices with upright strawberries between the layers. When it comes down to the details, this sweet confection takes the cake. 05 of 59 Chocolate Strawberry Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Cake This beautiful layer cake tastes like a chocolate-covered strawberry. 06 of 59 Chocolate Bundt Cake Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Chocolate Bundt Cake Boxed cake mix and boxed brownie mix meet in this decadent and easy recipe that has twice the chocolate of your usual cake. 07 of 59 Lemon Raspberry Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cake This lemon cake with cream cheese-raspberry frosting is one of the most elegant cakes we've ever made. 08 of 59 Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Buttermilk-Cream Cheese Frosting Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Buttermilk-Cream Cheese Frosting If you're hosting a crowd this Easter, swap your usual carrot cake recipe for this big-batch recipe that's oh-so-festive and sweet. 09 of 59 Lemon-Lime Pound Cake Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Lemon-Lime Pound Cake This recipe is based on a classic Southern favorite called 7UP Pound Cake, which was created in the 1950s when the soda company suggested using its soft drink instead of other liquid in pound cake recipes. The result: one of the best, and simplest, cakes you'll ever make. 10 of 59 Hummingbird Bundt Cake Photo: Jennifer Davick Recipe: Hummingbird Bundt Cake From pineapple to cream cheese, the same ingredients first featured in the 1978 version of this popular layer cake still shine in our new version— simplified by baking in a Bundt pan. 11 of 59 Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake Hector Sanchez Recipe: Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake This Arnold Palmer-inspired cake is perfect for springtime, and you can make the icing tipsy if you're having an adults-only Easter dinner. 12 of 59 Coconut Pound Cake Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Coconut Pound Cake A slice of this coconut pound cake will make even the orneriest guests smile. 13 of 59 Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes Micah Leal Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes You won't find a drop of artificial flavor or dye in these gorgeous spring cupcakes. 14 of 59 The Ultimate Carrot Cake Alison Miksch Recipe: The Ultimate Carrot Cake These layers are tender, so remove from pans carefully! 15 of 59 Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake Alison Miksch Recipe: Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake 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. 16 of 59 Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake Serve this decadent spring dessert at your next ladies' luncheon and wow the crowd with edible flowers. 17 of 59 Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake Trust us: This simple and swoon-worthy sheet cake will be a keeper in your recipe box. File it under "Springtime Crowd-pleaser." 18 of 59 Easter Bunny Cake Recipe: Easter Bunny Cake The kids will love this sweet cake that they can help decorate and devour. 19 of 59 Hummingbird Cake Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Hummingbird Cake The legendary Hummingbird Cake is our most popular recipe of all time. If that's not reason enough to make it, we're not sure what could convince you! 20 of 59 Heavenly Angel Food Cake Southern Living Recipe: Heavenly Angel Food Cake The rich, moist texture of this divine angel food cake is unlike any other. Made from scratch in minutes, it's spread with frosting that's a lemon lover's dream. 21 of 59 Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake There are a few things to note about this recipe before you start baking. First, the cream cheese is added after beating the butter and sugar. And, yes, you read the cooking instructions correctly—the cake bakes at a slightly higher temperature than usual. 22 of 59 Best Carrot Cake Tina Cornett Recipe: Best Carrot Cake Make this classic favorite for a crowd and you might not have any leftovers to bring home. Simply adding a can of crushed pineapple and the luscious Buttermilk Glaze makes this truly the Best Carrot Cake. 23 of 59 The Lane Cake Hector Sanchez Recipe: The Lane Cake This legendary Southern cake is the ultimate labor of love, and your Easter guests will taste it in every bite. 24 of 59 Lemon Bar Cake Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford Recipe: Lemon Bar Cake A bright citrus dessert is always welcome on our Easter table, especially when it's made with the hands-off ease of the slow cooker. 25 of 59 Grand Marnier Cakes Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly Recipe: Grand Marnier Cakes Mini Bundt cakes make for the prettiest presentation with this vintage recipe. 26 of 59 Banana Pudding Poke Cake Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Banana Pudding Poke Cake This so-moist poke cake was made to feed a crowd, but we guarantee there won't be any left after the meal. 27 of 59 Chocolate Éclair Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Chocolate Éclair Cake This layer cake stays true to the beauty and perfection of a truly authentic éclair. 28 of 59 Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake Jennifer Causey Recipe: Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake You can make the lemon curd that tops this cheesecake up to two weeks in advance to save you a step the day-of. 29 of 59 Lemon-Orange Pound Cake Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly Recipe: Lemon-Orange Pound Cake This recipe, courtesy of the Junior League of Houston, is drizzled with two icings so every bite is different. 30 of 59 Mini Confetti Cakes Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Mini Confetti Cakes These mini cakes are perfect for little hands. 31 of 59 Mary's Mango Cake Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Mary's Mango Cake This cake tastes bright and sunny, so it's perfect for an early Easter brunch. 32 of 59 Banana Pudding Cheesecake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Banana Pudding Cheesecake We feel like the name probably says it all for this incredible recipe, and it's one you have to try. 33 of 59 Pineapple-Coconut Cupcakes with Buttermilk-Cream Cheese Frosting Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio Recipe: Pineapple-Coconut Cupcakes with Buttermilk-Cream Cheese Frosting These easy cupcakes start with a box of cake mix, but your guests will never know, especially with adorable Easter egg toppings that look professional. 34 of 59 Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake This is not a cake for beginners by any means, but the payoff will be well worth it when you see how much your family enjoys it. 35 of 59 The Coconut Chiffon Cake Hector Sanchez Recipe: The Coconut Chiffon Cake This storied layer cake is the queen of cakes, and it's guaranteed to earn "oohs" and "aahs" from your Easter crowd. 36 of 59 Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream Greg DuPree Recipe: Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream These cakes might be miniature, but they'll make a big impact. 37 of 59 Lemon Bar Cheesecake Photo: Jennifer Davick Recipe: Lemon Bar Cheesecake Love lemon bars? Love cheesecake? Then we've got great news for you. 38 of 59 Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges This might be the easiest Hummingbird Cake recipe ever, and it makes two dozen cupcakes for your biggest Easter crowd. 39 of 59 Cinnamon Coffee Cake Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake This coffee cake will be the best way to finish off Easter brunch with a warm cup of coffee. 40 of 59 Tropical Carrot Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Tropical Carrot Cake Update your classic carrot cake with the tropical taste of pineapple and coconut. 41 of 59 Classic Coconut Cake Southern Living Recipe: Classic Coconut Cake With coconut sponge, coconut filling, and a light whipped cream frosting, this layer cake is a coconut lover's dream. 42 of 59 Carrot Cake Cheesecake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Carrot Cake Cheesecake Both cheesecake and carrot cake lovers will be thrilled with this layered dessert. 43 of 59 Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Delight everyone at the table with a vintage classic that showcases spring's fresh strawberries. 44 of 59 Pineapple-Coconut Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Pineapple-Coconut Cake Tropical pineapple and coconut are a match made in dreamy cake heaven. 45 of 59 Cream Cheese Pound Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake You can top this classic pound cake with seasonal fruit and dollops of whipped cream for perfect Easter presentation. 46 of 59 Lane Cupcakes Southern Living Recipe: Lane Cupcakes We turned the beloved Lane Cake recipe into an easy-to-serve cupcake recipe that kids and adults will love. 47 of 59 Toasted Almond-Butter Cake Southern Living Recipe: Toasted Almond-Butter Cake This tender cake is topped with cream cheese frosting, which any and every Easter guest will love. 48 of 59 Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze Bright lemon brings a springy feel to this new pound cake recipe that's a fun replacement for the plain classics. 49 of 59 Four-Layer Coconut Cake Southern Living Recipe: Four-Layer Coconut Cake Take your Easter celebration to the next level (literally) by adding an extra layer to your dessert. 50 of 59 Strawberry Icebox Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Cake Busy hostesses rejoice: You can still put a picture-perfect dessert on the table without turning the oven on. 51 of 59 Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Two favorite holiday desserts—crème brûlée and cheesecake—meet in this incredible mashup recipe. 52 of 59 Angel Food Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Recipe: Angel Food Cake Light, fluffy angel food cake is absolutely heavenly to serve on Easter. 53 of 59 Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Recipe: Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake If you have family members with dietary restrictions, this dairy-free and gluten-free dessert will delight them. 54 of 59 Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake Southern Living Recipe: Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake This was one of our most popular cake recipes of 2019, so it's definitely holiday-worthy. 55 of 59 The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake Southern Living Recipe: The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake This vintage cake reminds us of Grandma, and a floral topper is beautiful for Easter. 56 of 59 Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Recipe: Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting The kids' table will be thrilled to see this colorful confection on Easter. 57 of 59 Cream Cheese Pound Cake Hector Sanchez; Styling: Karin Olsen Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake The beauty of this 8-ingredient pound cake lies in its simplicity. It is one cake that everyone should master for impromptu parties. This quick-fix pound cake is a crowd-pleaser, and it couldn't be easier to make. Personalize it with additions you love—we recommend fresh fruit for a pretty Easter dessert. 58 of 59 Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes Recipe: Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes Give everyone their own personal cheesecake with this sweet spring recipe. These petite cheesecakes look super fancy, but they only require five easy steps to put together, and you probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. To customize, trade the blueberries for your family's favorite fruits. 59 of 59 Coconut Cream Cake Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Recipe: Coconut Cream Cake Look for packaged coconut shavings to garnish this sweet treat in your grocer's natural foods section. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit