Desserts are a delectable treat that many of us look forward to enjoying, be it on special occasions like your birthday or on any ordinary Sunday afternoon. There are so many delicious dessert options to choose from!
Jewelry company Shane Co. recently conducted a comprehensive analysis of Google Trends search data over a year to identify the most popular cake flavors across every state. Here are their results:
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cake remains a timeless classic that appeals to people of all ages and genders alike, which explains its popularity on the market.
Chocolate cake remains one of the top wedding choices, making for an irresistibly delectable dessert!
Strawberry shortcake is an increasingly popular cake flavor. This tasty treat features layers of sponge cake with cream and fruit filling, typically reserved for special events like birthdays and holidays.
Randi Smith of Sugar Euphoria reports that couples today are opting for creative flavors that elevate classics beyond what would typically be expected. She makes white chocolate raspberry cakes featuring raspberry-laced Victoria sponge for subtle sweetness and flavor pairing; perfect with light whipped cream frostings.
Vanilla Cake
Vanilla cake is a timeless dessert that’s easy to create at home. Light and airy with delicate crumb textures that hold up well under layers of buttercream frosting, this vanilla cake recipe uses both vanilla bean paste and extract for its deep, rich flavors as well as those distinctive vanilla bean speckles that give this treat its signature taste.
As with all cakes, vanilla cake needs to be baked at a low temperature to prevent over-baking – this will avoid it becoming dry! A toothpick test works well to test doneness; pull it out from the center when moist crumbs (not wet batter) come off when pulled. Although time-consuming, this vanilla cake makes an amazing treat for any special occasion!
Red Velvet Cake
Chocolate cake remains the go-to dessert option, but for those seeking something less classic there are other choices available to them. Some states opt for fruit-themed offerings like strawberry or mango cake while others favor vanilla cakes as an easy treat.
Red velvet cake has long been considered both divisive and delectable. Early printed recipes used rust-colored cocoa powder; however, Adams Extract’s food dye made by them in 1920 greatly enhanced the red hue, creating the timeless scarlet hue we know and enjoy today.
Steel Magnolias (1989). Red velvet made its cinematic debut as one of its key dishes in 1989 chick flick Steel Magnolias. Since then, red velvet products are abundant despite its growing popularity; though some individuals may opt out of using food color altogether. Still, those who can’t get enough can always discover new flavors!
Carrot Cake
Carrot cake first gained popularity during the 1970s as a healthful dessert option. Due to its sweetness and moistness, carrot cake makes an excellent base for layer cakes or standalone servings; and can even be served without frosting for maximum flexibility.
Carrots have long been used in baked goods to add sweetness, dating back to medieval times when they were used to sweeten stews and pastries. Carrots contain more sugar than any other vegetable, making them a natural fit for cakes.
A traditional carrot cake recipe typically calls for walnuts and raisins as toppings; however, you can also include pineapple pieces, shredded coconut strands or any other mix-ins to customize its taste while adding texture. A well-frosted carrot cake will last several days when properly covered in plastic wrap or foil packaging.
Lemon Cake
Lemon Cake is pure sunshine! Made with real lemons – not extract or pudding mix – this fluffy dessert features vibrant lemon flavor with its soft sponge base and tart cream cheese frosting, making this cake ideal for anyone who appreciates light yet airy desserts (but if you prefer your citrus desserts to be tartier, check out Lemon Pie or these Lemon Bars instead!).
Cake flour helps create a tender crumb while butter and sugar add richness. Baking powder acts as a leavener to help the cake rise; lemon juice and zest add their signature zesty lemony zestiness.
Cream cheese makes for an irresistibly creamy frosting, perfectly complimenting the sweetness of any cake. Add a handful of fresh berries between each layer if you wish, for an added pop. For an icing made out of powdered sugar combined with half of lemon juice; adjust as necessary until a thick glaze forms.
Banana Cake
Banana Cake is an indulgent and flavorful baked good that pairs perfectly with either cream cheese or chocolate frosting. This easy recipe can be completed from scratch or using boxed cake mix.
This delicious cake features an irresistibly tasty brown sugar glaze as a healthier alternative to the more commonly found white sugar frosting and boasts the delicious, nutty flavors found only in brown sugar.
To make a frosting, combine butter and cream cheese until smooth, add vanilla extract and confectioners sugar, and beat again until creamy.
Always use a scale when measuring flour to avoid overpacking the measuring cup. Pastry flour may be substituted with all-purpose or whole wheat flour if desired, and when purchasing store-bought mixes always read their ingredients list carefully! Ripe bananas work best; don’t be intimidated if yours are overly spotted!
Coconut Cake
This tropical cake will amaze your guests! Crafted with tender cake layers filled with creamy coconut filling and covered in airy frosting studded with toasted coconut flecks, this tropical treat is sure to please. A classic white cake recipe was modified with coconut milk as its liquid component and additional shredded coconut for flavoring.
Sally’s recipe utilizes the regular creaming technique, substituting sour cream for butter and adding additional egg yolks for a lighter treat. She also sifted her flour while mixing in baking soda and cream of tartar to prevent too much liquid soaking into it before mixing in egg whites, so they form stiff peaks.
This cake is the ideal way to showcase the texture of toasted coconut. Simply prepare and fill your cake as directed below, cover it with frosting, then lightly press toasted coconut onto its surface before finishing it off!
Marble Cake
Marble cake is an irresistibly delicious classic dessert that embodies classic flavor with its delicate vanilla layers and fudgy chocolate crust – an irresistibly indulgent delight for both children and adults.
Make this delicious cake without needing two separate batters: simply reserve a third of your vanilla batter and stir cocoa powder into it before pouring on top of your reserved vanilla batter using a knife for a marbled effect.
Add new flavors to your marble cake for something truly original; why not experiment with lemon poppyseed, coffee and spice, or other combinations? Just make sure that any changes are added slowly so that your original texture of your cake doesn’t change!
Funfetti Cake
Funfetti cakes have long been a birthday staple. Made of vanilla-flavored white cake studded with colorful candy bits that, once baked, become colorful confetti-like pieces, this cake is then covered in layers of buttercream frosting and further colorful toppings such as colourful sprinkles or foilings for maximum fun!
According to bakery experts, funfetti cakes are perennially popular at parties and holidays, often striking an emotional chord among couples who remember eating one themselves as children.
Bakers generally agree that vanilla buttercream makes an ideal frosting choice for funfetti cakes, while for something extra decadent you could also add in sour cream (for lighter sweetness) or dulce de leche for more chocolaty flavor. When finished assembling your masterpiece, simply store it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge – it should stay fresh for 2-3 days!
Almond Cake
Sweet almond cake is like an exceptional vanilla cake with the added crunch and texture from sliced almonds while always coming out light and airy! You will adore its incredible taste and texture!
Make this delicious dessert for any special event – or keep it in the refrigerator to make ahead! It can even be prepared ahead of time!
This delectably nutty cake features layers of lemon and almond buttercream topped with sliced almonds – the perfect treat to celebrate any special occasion or serve for breakfast! Enjoy it alongside some fresh berries for an added sweetness, or simply make this tasty dessert repeatedly – its taste will leave guests talking at any gathering!
