21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (2024)

Some occasions just call for a layer cake. If you're looking for an impressive recipe that yields a delicious cake, you're in luck. We're sharing our favorite layer cake recipes that will take you through every season and holiday of the year.

Layer cakes are fan favorites because they're so versatile: Two layers or five? The same frosting to fill the cake and to decorate it, or different fillings between each layer? Our collection of layer cake recipes ranges from light-as-air chiffon cake simply filled with fresh strawberries and cream, no decoration needed, to birthday-worthy cakes with chocolate frosting just waiting for the candles.

We've got classic layer cake recipes, for all-time favorites like carrot cake, hummingbird cake, and devil's food cake plus layer cakes with spring flavors and spring looks, ice-cream cakes that scream summer (and are our favorite no-bake take on the layer cake), and plenty of holiday-ready celebration cakes.

01of 21

Chocolate-and-Vanilla Pudding Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (1)

Chocolate buttermilk cake layers are oh so tender and delectable, especially when they encase a decadent milk chocolate pudding center and are enrobed in a luscious white chocolate frosting.

View Recipe

02of 21

Chocolate-Raspberry Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (2)

What could be more delicious than a dark chocolate layer cake filled and topped with fresh raspberries? One that has light, moist layers baked with a splash of the raspberry liqueur Chambord and is layered with not just the berries but also with a sweet raspberry filling, What really seals the deal though is the chocolate-cream cheese frosting.

View Recipe

03of 21

Citrus Mousse Cake with Buttercream Frosting

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (3)

This gorgeous, springtime cake is worthy of being placed on a pedestal (but surely you'd rather eat it). Lemon and lime are combined to create a bright mousse filling, but feel free to swap in orange or grapefruit juice if you prefer.

View Recipe

04of 21

Apple Layer Cake with Cream-Cheese Frosting

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (4)

Packed with fall flavor, this delicately spiced three-layer cake is filled and frosted with an irresistible cream cheese frosting. It's sure to go fast.

View Recipe

05of 21

Simple Layer Cake with Vanilla Frosting

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (5)

Fluffy and moist with a sweet vanilla flavor, this is an absolutely delightful, simple cake. It's a dreamlike base that you can decorate with any toppings that you please to create a special occasion dessert.

View Recipe

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (6)

We're declaring this the ultimate summer dessert. Homemade or store-bought pound cake holds up layer upon layer of raspberry sorbet, vanilla ice cream, and chopped chocolate wafer cookies. The best part is you can customize it with any flavors that you fancy.

View Recipe

07of 21

Maple-Walnut Cake with Brown-Sugar Frosting

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (7)

Looking for a departure from pie in the fall? This nutty cake should do the trick. Toasting the walnuts before chopping and mixing them into the batter brings out their flavor (plus, they'll make your whole kitchen smell wonderful).

View Recipe

08of 21

Salted-Caramel Six-Layer Chocolate Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (8)

If the look of this widely indulgent cake isn't enough to lure you in to make it, then how about this—a combination of Dutch processed cocoa and semisweet chocolate. They work double duty to maximize the chocolate flavor in this over-the-top confection.

View Recipe

09of 21

Vanilla Sponge Cake with Strawberry-Meringue Buttercream

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (9)

When strawberries are in season, stock up on 3 whole pounds for this showstopping, three-layer tall sponge cake.

View Recipe

10of 21

Three-Tier Candied-Pecan Cake with Brown-Butter Pears

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (10)

Resist the urge to snack on the homemade sweet and spicy candied pecans—they're for the cake batter (though no one will notice if a few are missing, right?). The icing on the cake (literally) is a bourbon whipped cream, which has plenty of holiday spirit.

View Recipe

11of 21

Vegan Chocolate Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (11)

No one will miss the butter or eggs in this rich rendition of a classic chocolate layer cake. Dairy-free soy creamer takes the place of heavy cream for the silky ganache topping and mocha icing filling.

View Recipe

12of 21

Carrot Cake with White-Chocolate Frosting

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (12)

We think this the prettiest carrot cake ever—and you don't need to be a professional baker to create the ruffles of frosting—our rich, thick buttercream recipe and a proper pastry tip will guide you as you create the cake decoration of your dreams.

View Recipe

13of 21

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Spiced Frosting

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (13)

As soon as the leaves begin to turn, pumpkin spice is everywhere. This warm autumnal cake with lots of authentic pumpkin flavor is worth baking.

View Recipe

14of 21

Tropical-Fruit Crepe Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (14)

A very different and altogether spectacular take on the layer cake with 40, yes count them, 40 layers. It's so impressive but doesn't call for any fancy supplies or decorating skills. The secret is that the crepes and the coconut filling for this pina colada-inspired cake can be made in advance, up to three days ahead. Then you can assemble the cake day of.

View Recipe

15of 21

Coconut-Sugar Hummingbird Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (15)

This fruity, moist cake has plenty of texture thanks to fresh bananas, pineapple, and pecans. Hummingbird cakes are a staple in the South and now we know why (they're really, really good).

View Recipe

16of 21

Banana Cake with Cream-Cheese Frosting

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (16)

We love how something as simple as bananas can be turned into such a spectacular cake. The inclusion of dark chocolate makes it that much more heavenly.

View Recipe

17of 21

Yule-Log Layer Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (17)

Try this festive layered cake as a creative alternative to the traditional bûche de Noël (no jelly roll pan needed!). Both the cake and frosting include a warm, flavorful combination of roasted chestnuts and golden rum. And those raspberry mushrooms are the cutest finishing touch.

View Recipe

18of 21

Pistachio Layer Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (18)

Delightful for Easter or another springtime soirée, this elegant vanilla layer cake is filled with pistachio pastry cream and frosted with a pale green buttercream.

View Recipe

19of 21

Cloud Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (19)

This cake is just as light and airy as it is totally unique. Delicate meringue layers take the place of traditional cake; nestled between them is a sweet vanilla cream studded with chopped homemade caramel.

View Recipe

20of 21

Chiffon Cake with Strawberries and Cream

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (20)

Light as a cloud and a little bit romantic too, this is a sliceable version of a classic berries and cream combination. In between pillowy layers of cake is a very light whipped cream and fresh strawberry slices. Sweet but not too sweet, it's simply perfect.

View Recipe

21of 21

The Ultimate Devil's Food Cake

21 Gorgeous Layer Cake Recipes for Every Occasion (21)

Devil's food cake is always a crowd-pleaser due to its bewitching appearance, moist cake crumble, and luscious swoops of buttercream. Make it year-round, but especially for Halloween.

View Recipe