Cakes To Bake Every Month In 2024
We've collected 12 of our all-time favorite, well-loved cakes to make for every month of the year.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
For 2024, baking is at the top of our New Year’s resolutions. Not only does finishing a baking project come with a personal sense of accomplishment, but we think your family will get behind this monthly tradition as well. Think of this list as your baking bucket list to get you started. Drop off a seasonal cake to make your neighbor's day or volunteer to bring dessert to Mother's Day brunch this year. Expert home bakers and novices alike will love concocting these sweet treats that range from playful takes on classic Southern cakes to new recipes worth celebrating.
With the variation of cake recipes on this list, you'll hone your decorating abilities and try something new. Celebrate the holidays with new cake traditions and make the sweetest memories with your family while baking. Whether you prefer cupcakes, cheesecake, luscious layers, or Bundts, there's a cake for every taste and skill level on this list. No matter the resolutions you leave undone, there's always, always, always cake. If you're ready to up your baking game, preheat the oven and pencil in these recipes—it's time to get started.
January: One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL
Kick off the year with something simple but oh-so decadent. After the holidays, you deserve an easy baking project with minimal cleanup and this is the recipe. Despite how easily this cake comes together, it still delivers on rich chocolate flavor and a tender, fudgy crumb.
February: Valentine's Day Cake
Some might say this is a little *too* on the nose for a February cake, but we beg to disagree. Celebrate the month of love with a cake that shows how much you care. Fresh strawberries both around the cake and blended into the frosting keep the cake on theme, and add a nice sweet-tart flavor to balance out all of the sugar. Although adults will love whimsical design, we think the kids will really enjoy getting involved in the baking process on this one.
March: Lemon Loaf Cake
You might recognize this quick bread from your favorite coffee shop, but why outsource it when you can make it yourself? The citrus-infused tea cake is like a little ray of sunshine that signals the end of the dreary winter months and the beginning of spring. Lemon instant pudding mix is the secret to the ultra soft, and moist interior. While yogurt in the batter and icing gives the cake extra tang that plays well with the lemon flavor.
April: White Cake With Berry-Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Would you ever believe this stunning masterpiece begins with a cake mix? We let you take shortcuts on the sponge so you can focus on the beautiful piping. The fluffy, billowy, and not overly sweet the raspberry frosting has natural pink color, no food dye required. Although it may take a minute to get a hang of the technique, we promise it's not nearly as intimidating to do as it may seem.
May: Strawberry Patch Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
As cold February begins to thaw, so too does our aversion to leaving the house. Luncheons, book clubs, and spring gatherings begin to fill up the calendar in March, and this indulgent cake recipe will be your best friend (along with those you prepare it for). Freeze-dried are the secret to flavor and color of this cake (although we add plenty of fresh berries on top too.) The daisy design is ultra to pull off (they're just sliced marshmallows!) and it's perfect for Mother's Day.
June: No-Bake Cheesecake
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
By June, we're getting into too hot to bake territory. That's where this no-bake cheesecake comes in. The main recipe is for an "Any-Berry No-Bake Cheesecake," which uses any of the seasonal berries at your disposal as a topping for silky smooth no-bake dessert that satisfies a sweet-tooth without turning on the oven. For extra credit: Try our two variations that uses the same base batter with a few minor tweaks to create to new flavors. You can pick from a peach-ginger or a chocolate-cherry, or go for both.
July: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Nothing can be certain but death, taxes, and the fact that the South will be hot in July—too hot to turn on the oven, at least. And that's the beauty of the icebox cake. Not only will this cool, creamy, no-bake dessert hit the spot on a balmy summer day, but it can also be made ahead of time for the family Independence Day cookout or any seasonal celebration. If you really want to go above and beyond, make your own chocolate wafers using our trusted recipe.
August: Blueberry Lemon Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Have you ever seen a prettier color? This vibrant layer cake looks super impressive, but isn't nearly as hard as you would imagine to make. Soft and tender lemon layers are enveloped in a blueberry-infused frosting that even the pickiest of dessert lovers will enjoy. But don't just take it from us, as one reader commented, "I made this exactly as directed, and it was phenomenal! The crumb and flavor were wonderful, the presentation was lovely, and I will definitely make it again."
September: Apple Spice Cake
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
The weather may still be stifling in most of the South, but September means fall, as far as we're concerned. So we better bake like it, and we all know that autumn baking means apples galore. This succulent cake is made with fresh grated apples guaranteeing fresh fall flavor in every bite—especially when paired with the warm notes of cloves.
October: Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Molly Bolton
When the temperature drops even the slightest bit, we're ready to pretend "fall" is a full season in the South. Baking in autumn (or as we call it, football season) wouldn't be complete without pumpkins. If you love pumpkin pie, you'll be obsessed with this Bundt that use canned pumpkin puree and a trio of baking spices to create the perfect fall dessert.
November: Cookies And Cream Cake
Thanksgiving is usually all about the pie, but this year, we're going rogue. Bake up a layer cake infused with the flavors of America's favorite cookie. Moist chocolate layers made with buttermilk and cookie-infused buttercream. With extra crushed cookies on top, everyone with a sweet-tooth will be flocking to this layer cake.
December: Snowy Vanilla Cake With Cream Cheese Buttercream
Christmas baking is often centered around cookies, but we want to challenge you to incorporate a cake into the mix. Whether served on Christmas eve, shared at the holiday party, or simply shared with close friends and loved ones, this winter white showstopper, complete with cake ball ornaments is bit of project but well worth the journey to make.
Related: Cakes To Bake Every Month In 2023
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Read the original article on Southern Living.
