37 Mother’s Day Cakes That’ll Make Mama Swoon
There’s only one correct response to a mother’s claim that she doesn’t want gifts: one of our best Mother’s Day cake recipes—and time with you. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite options to consider baking for the mom who means the most to you. Maybe she’s the type to crave something not too sweet to wrap up a brunch, or something with nuts or fruit to go with tea. Or maybe your Mom only wants cake if it’s chocolate cake. Below you’ll find all the Mother’s Day cake ideas you need, even if you’ve you’re only able to “share a slice” from afar while you chat on the phone.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou2/37Tahini Chiffon Cake With Burnt Honey Cream and Poached Rhubarb
We’ve published many, many cake recipes over the years, but this small-group 6-inch number is still a favorite. The fluffiness factor on this cake is so-light-it-could-float, but you’ll add a touch of egg yolk for richness. The sesame seed coating adds a bonus level of crunch.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food styling by Micah Marie Morton3/37Easy Coffee Cake
Invite the whole family over for a Mother’s Day brunch, cook some bacon in the oven, make your signature scrambled eggs, and slice up this simple, no-mixer-required crumb-topped cake. They’ll wonder how you made it look so easy.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson5/37Baked Alaska Saint Pierre
Your mom has flair. She brings the drama. Make sure your Mother’s Day dessert does the same.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt6/37Angel Food Cake
This soft pillow of a cake gets its tender crumb from whipped egg whites, cream of tartar, and cake flour, which is finer and less prone to forming gluten than all-purpose flour. Decorate with whipped cream and fresh berries—or edible flowers if you prefer.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne7/37Super-Moist Yellow Cake With Rich Chocolate Frosting
Really good yellow cake is worthy of a special day. Making it right means not creaming your butter and sugar together at the start.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/37Anytime Lemon Cake
You could double this easy cake recipe to make a lemon layer cake, or swap the pan to turn it into fresh, springy cupcakes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart10/37Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
Dress up Mom’s favorite (cheesecake, duh) with a homemade raspberry swirl and a graham cracker crust enriched with a touch of nutty brown butter.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/37Louisiana Crunch Cake
If Mama just loves coconut desserts, this Louisiana take on pound cake is perfect for her.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell14/37Black Forest Cake
This gorgeous chocolate-cherry cake uses kirsch two ways: in the cake-soaking syrup and to preserve the sour cherries that get sandwiched between each layer.
