Mother's Day Cakes That Are Almost As Sweet As Mama

Hummingbird Cake
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

There's no one quite like a Southern Mama. She gives the best (often quote-worthy) advice, harbors generations worth of beauty secrets, and can whip up an elaborate three-course meal at the drop of a hat. Most of the year, Mama's everyday efforts may go unnoticed or under-appreciated. But come May, it's time to celebrate the number one ladies in our lives, the ones who've always been there for us: our mothers. Treat Mama to a sweet slice of one of these stunning springtime cakes this Mother's Day.

Start by picking your mother's favorite flavor. Moms that love cheesecake are going to flip over our Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake. For the mom who loves chocolate, nothing can compete with our Chocolate Zucchini Cake. Make this Mother's Day one for the books with our Classic Coconut Cake—it is an absolute stunner. These treats are worthy of the Mama who does it all; they're the perfect gift for the woman who taught you that the secret to stiff peaks is all in the wrist.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

Strawberry-Lemonade Cake
Jen Causey

The combination of two fresh flavors, lemonade and strawberry, make this pastel cake taste like spring.

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Chocolate Bundt Cake

Chocolate Bundt Cake
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Boxed cake mix and brownie mix are the secret to this beautiful cake.

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Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

A chocolate-covered strawberry in cake form? Sign us up.

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Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake

Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

If Mama has an dietary restrictions, this showstopping cake is dairy-free, gluten-free, and flourless.

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German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake with Coconut-Pecan Frosting
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Three chocolate cake layers and Coconut-Pecan Frosting come together to create one of the most classic and decadent Southern cakes.

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Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake

Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Light, fluffy, and pretty in pink, this rosé snack cake can be enjoyed all day long.

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Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Moist layers packed with pineapple, pecans, cinnamon, and bananas make this our most popular cake of all time.

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Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

A cross between a glazed donut and a Bundt, this wow-worthy cake will be the star of your Mother's Day brunch spread.

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Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
Hector Sanchez

Sheet cakes are easy to bake, transport, and ice, yet still deliver plenty of flavor.

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Mint Chocolate Chip Cake

Mint Chocolate Cake
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

If Mama likes mint chocolate chip ice cream, she'll love this pretty pastel cake that takes on the same flavor.

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1234 Cake with Chocolate Frosting

1234 Cake
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

This layer cake comes together with pantry staples you probably already have on hand, so it's even easier to pull together than running to the store for a boxed mix.

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White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake

White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake
Photo: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Styling: Kay Clarke, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you're looking for a brunch dessert that's not too sweet, this loaf is the perfect recipe for serving with post-meal coffee or tea.

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Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Chocolate-Zucchini Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Mama will never guess that this decadent chocolate cake is really packed full of veggies.

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7UP Bundt Cake

7-UP Bundt Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

This Bundt cake is oh-so-easy and absolutely delicious. It's based on a classic recipe that uses lemon-lime soft drink.

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Pecan Pie Cake

Pecan Pie Cake
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners

We turned everyone's favorite pie recipe into a decadent layer cake that's sure to please Mama.

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Lemon Loaf Cake

Lemon Loaf Cake
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

This easy loaf can be prepared in advance and shared with Mama on her special day.

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Strawberry Vanilla Cake

Strawberry Vanilla Cake
Sarah Epperson

If you can't decide between a vanilla and a strawberry cake, this recipe gives you the best flavors of both.

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Coconut Cream Cake

Coconut Cream Cake
Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Between our Fluffy Coconut Frosting and the mounds of toasted coconut, this cake is an absolute showstopper.

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Angel Food Cake

Angel Food Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Angel food cake for the original angel in your life.

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Lemon Cheese Layer Cake

Lemon Cheese Layer Cake
Southern Living

Think of this masterpiece as a combination of the flavors of a layer cake and a cheesecake in one.

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Peach Shortcake Trifle

Peach Shortcake Trifle
Pam Lolley; Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

No icing skills are required to make this showstopping trifle. It can be assembled up to 24 hours before serving.

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Chocolate Éclair Cake

Chocolate Éclair Cake
Micah A. Leal

We made a cake that's just as worthy of celebration as the eclair.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Micah A. Leal

If mom prefers cookies to cake, this is the perfect solution.

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Classic Chocolate Pound Cake

Chocolate Pound Cake
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

This one's for all the chocolate-loving mamas out there.

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Strawberry Dream Cake

Strawberry Dream Cake
GREG DuPREE

This cake is pretty on the outside but, just like Mom, what's on the inside is even more lovely.

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Key Lime Pound Cake

Key Lime Pound Cake
Jen Causey

Bring a taste of the tropics to your Mother's Day celebration.

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Mini Confetti Cakes

Mini Confetti Cakes
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

You'll be surprised how few ingredients you need for these mini cakes.

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Mary's Mango Cake

Mary's Mango Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

The cake is made with fresh oranges, limes, and mangos.

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Wacky Cake

Wacky Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you want to make a delectable baked good but you're short on time, this Wacky Cake is the perfect, extra-fudgy solution.

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The Lane Cake

The Lane Cake
Hector Sanchez

If you're really looking to impress, the Lane Cake is a timeless classic.

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Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Alison Miksch; Prop styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Mary-Claire Britton

This cake is three layers of pure, chocolatey goodness. The secret ingredient? Mayonnaise.

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Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake
Jennifer Causey

The secret to a crack-free cheesecake is cooking it gently in a water bath.

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Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake
Hector Sanchez

Top each piece of this cake with a thin lemon slice.

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Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Jennifer Davick

Place cut strawberries in the center of this pound cake for a sweet surprise.

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Luscious Lemon Cake

Luscious Lemon Cake
Jennifer Davick

Frosting just the top and between the layers saves you time and is perfect for a casual occasion.

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Mama's Rum Cake

Mama's Rum Cake
Peter Frank Edwards

We took a page out of Mama's book with this classic Rum Cake.

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Heavenly Angel Food Cake

Heavenly Angel Food Cake
Southern Living

For the sweetest Mama, nothing but this Heavenly Angel Food Cake will do.

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Cream cheese ensures that this pound cake stays fluffy and moist the whole way through.

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Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream

Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Mama is worth the extra effort required to make this decadent cake.

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Coconut Pound Cake

Coconut Pound Cake
Antonis Achilleos

This tropical cake is the perfect way to celebrate spring—and, of course, to honor Mama!

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Best Carrot Cake Ever

Carrot Cake
Alison Miksch

Celebrities and home bakers alike have sung the praises of our classic Carrot Cake—if it can impress Chrissy Teigen, it can certainly impress Mama.

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Sea Salt-Caramel Cake

Gingerbread Latte Cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream Frosting
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This layer cake masterfully balances salty and sweet. Mama will be coming back for a second slice.

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Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Upgrade your breakfast in bed spread with a cake well-suited for morning or night.

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Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake

Banana Pudding Cheesecake
Jennifer Davick

Edible flowers take this cake to the next level—Mom is going to love them.

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Blueberry Cornmeal Cake

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This unique cake makes the most of fresh berries, resulting in a sweet treat that can be enjoyed at any time of day.

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Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Antonis Achilleos

A special day to celebrate Mama? That warrants cake for breakfast.

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Pineapple-Coconut Cake

Pineapple Coconut Cake
Micah A. Leal

This cake, bursting with the tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut, will be a new warm-weather staple.

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Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

Lemon-Orange Pound Cake from Stop and Smell the Rosemary
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Two contrasting icings instantly upgrade this classic pound cake.

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Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

This sheet cake combines tender, buttery biscuits and fresh strawberries with a tangy mascarpone whipped cream for a dessert bound to impress mom.

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Classic Coconut Cake

Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

You can't go wrong with a classic cake, especially a beauty like this coconut cake. The whipped cream frosting keeps the cake from being too sweet, and lets the coconut-flavored sponge shine.

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