24 Decadent Layer Cake Recipes That Shine for Special Occasions

Laura Hauser

September 5, 2025

Pleasing to the palate, layer cakes have stood the test of time as a versatile dessert option. With an array of flavors and textures to choose from, they offer something for everyone’s taste buds. Ranging from traditional vanilla and decadent chocolate fudge to creative red velvet and refreshing lemon, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to this classic dessert. As an added bonus, layer cakes make a great choice for special occasions and can even double as a stunning table centerpiece.

Which one of these mouthwatering layer cake recipes is sure to become your new favorite?

Chocolate Cake with Pumpkin Filling

Chocolate Cake with Pumpkin Filling

Understanding the essence of Thanksgiving desserts, it’s no surprise that traditional pumpkin pie often takes center stage on family tables across America. However, for those looking to mix things up this year, a scrumptious Chocolate Cake with Pumpkin Filling is an innovative and delightful seasonal twist.

A rich, velvety chocolate cake serves as the perfect base for a generous helping of creamy sweet pumpkin filling, topped off with a drizzle of not-too-sweet chocolate ganache – a sublime combination that’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning dessert lovers.

Lemon Blueberry Cake

Lemon Blueberry Cake

Yellowing the pages of a recipe book can be a nostalgic experience, but what’s even more exciting is discovering new gluten-free recipes that defy traditional baking conventions. Such is the case with Gluten Free Lemon Blueberry Cake, a scrumptious and refreshingly light treat infused with the subtle tanginess of lemons and the sweetness of juicy blueberries.

The cake’s tender crumb and soft texture make it an absolute delight to indulge in, while its coating of sumptuous cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious and velvety dimension. Perfect for holidays, weekend gatherings, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this gluten-free masterpiece is sure to become a new favorite.

Spiced Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Spiced Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Zest up your Easter celebration with a mouthwatering Spiced Carrot Cake paired exquisitely with a rich and creamy Cream Cheese Frosting, creating an unbeatable combination that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. This delightful dessert is the perfect treat to bake during the Easter season, filled with warm spices and sweet carrots that will leave you feeling like spring has officially sprung.

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake

Fulfill your sweet tooth’s desires with our mouth-watering Gluten Free Chocolate Cake, crafted to perfection with rich flavors and textures. This indulgent dessert is a masterclass in balance, boasting a fudgy yet light crumb that’s achieved without compromising on taste or texture. The gluten-free chocolate cake layers are then smothered in a sumptuous velvety buttercream frosting, making this recipe the ultimate showstopper for any special occasion.

Apple Cake

Apple Cake

Everyone’s taste buds will be dancing with joy once they take a bite of this scrumptious gluten-free and vegan gingerbread apple cake. Its irresistible flavor is sure to have you going back for not just seconds, but also thirds! I’m thrilled to share this delightful recipe with you, as it requires only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients that make it accessible to anyone looking to indulge in its deliciousness or gift it to a friend when visiting their home.

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

Just as traditional carrot cakes are a staple at many Easter gatherings, a delicious and easy-to-make vegan version can be the perfect addition to any celebration. Layers of moist and flavorful cake paired with a tangy dairy-free cream cheese frosting create a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to impress even the most discerning guests.

Vanilla Velvet Cake Recipe

Vanilla Velvet Cake Recipe

Delivering on its promise, this scrumptious vanilla velvet cake recipe yields a decadent treat that is both intensely rich and miraculously light in texture, all while boasting an incredibly smooth and velvety crumb. The result is simply irresistible.

Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe With Chocolate Mousse Frosting

Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe With Chocolate Mousse Frosting

Often, people think that creating a decadent dessert like this chocolate cake with chocolate mousse frosting requires a lot of effort and time. However, the truth is that it’s surprisingly easy to make, yet incredibly delicious. The addition of the rich and creamy chocolate mousse frosting takes the cake to a whole new level of indulgence, making it impossible to resist.

Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake

Sweet treats are always a highlight of any gathering, and Easter is no exception. A perfect dessert to serve at your family’s Easter celebration is this delicious hummingbird cake, made with two spiced cake layers that incorporate the flavors of pecans, bananas, and crushed pineapple. To complete this moist and flavorful cake, I recommend topping it with my simple yet indulgent homemade cream cheese frosting.

Gingerbread Spice Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

Gingerbread Spice Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

Taking advantage of the flexibility and versatility of this recipe, you can enjoy the delightful combination of gingerbread spice cake and mascarpone frosting at any time of the year, not just during holiday gatherings. In fact, its simplicity makes it an ideal dessert option for any occasion, whether it’s a special celebration or a casual get-together.

Oatmeal Cake

Oatmeal Cake

Not only does this moist and decadent gluten-free, double-layer cinnamon oatmeal cake impress with its perfectly divine and flavorful taste, but it’s also incredibly easy to make and perfect for special occasions. It’s a popular choice frequently requested at family birthday parties! The combination of the soft and fluffy oatmeal layers with the lightly-spiced cream cheese frosting on top creates a delightful flavor experience that will leave everyone wanting more.

Easy Classic Vanilla Layer Cake

Easy Classic Vanilla Layer Cake

Here’s a recipe for an Easy Classic Vanilla Layer Cake that’s sure to impress your family and friends – a moist, light 3-layer cake frosted in rich vanilla buttercream, made with the addition of pudding, sour cream, real vanilla, and a white cake mix for extra moisture.

Insanely Delicious Brown Butter Layer Cake

Insanely Delicious Brown Butter Layer Cake

Hands down, the most mouth-watering and decadent layer cakes are made with a twist on traditional buttercream frosting – browned butter. Incredibly rich and indulgent, the brown butter adds a depth of flavor that will leave your taste buds singing. If you’re looking for an over-the-top delicious cake recipe that’s sure to impress your friends and family, look no further than this incredibly scrumptious Brown Butter Layer Cake.

Peanut Butter and Jam Banana Cake

Peanut Butter and Jam Banana Cake

Zestfully combining two beloved childhood treats, this delectable peanut butter and jam banana cake brings together the classic flavors of a PB&J sandwich in a moist and decadent dessert form. Yes, your favorite school lunch or snack-time companion now comes beautifully wrapped in a single, indulgent cake that’s sure to transport you back to a simpler time. This delightful creation has all my favorite tastes expertly blended into one scrumptious cake.

The Best Moist Chocolate Cake from Scratch (with Coffee)

The Best Moist Chocolate Cake from Scratch (with Coffee)

Renowned for its unparalleled moisture, this chocolate cake has earned its place as the ultimate favorite among family members. Passed down from my in-laws*, this treasured recipe has been lovingly crafted hundreds of times, making it a staple at every single family birthday celebration. Its presence is always met with excitement and anticipation, signaling the highlight of the day.

Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Here is a classic Red Velvet Cake Recipe that will transport your taste buds to a world of delight. The addition of buttermilk gives this cake a delicious tang, while hints of cocoa powder provide depth and richness. A moist, light crumb makes it perfect for any occasion, and the cream cheese icing takes it to the next level. With its iconic red color and subtle flavor, this Red Velvet Cake Recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Chocolate Orange Cake

Chocolate Orange Cake

Perfectly capturing the essence of traditional desserts, this chocolate orange cake offers a delightful twist. A major advantage is that it’s remarkably easy to prepare. The entire process takes place in one bowl, eliminating the need for either a hand mixer or a stand mixer. As a result, you can achieve perfectly smooth and consistent results every time. If you’re a fan of both chocolate and orange flavors, this cake is sure to become an instant favorite.

Best Homemade Italian Cream Cake and Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Best Homemade Italian Cream Cake and Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Zero in on the sweet treats, because today’s recipe for homemade Italian Cream Cake and its sublime cream cheese icing is absolutely heavenly. If you’re a fan of traditional Italian desserts, chances are you’ve had your fair share of this classic cake before – it’s undeniably good! However, let me tell you, this particular recipe is elevated to new heights with the addition of a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting that’s almost too delicious for words. Almost.

Pink Cake

Pink Cake

Zest for life is reflected in the delightful aroma of vanilla, perfectly balanced with the richness of sweet cream cheese frosting that tops this delectable and extremely soft Pink Cake (also known as Pink Velvet Cake), which truly outshines its beauty with an unforgettable taste experience.

Napoleon Cake

Napoleon Cake

Generally, a Napoleon cake is considered a classic French dessert that combines the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The delicate puff pastry crust provides a nice contrast to the rich and creamy pastry cream filling, making it an ideal treat for any special occasion or celebration. This recipe will guide you through the process of creating your own homemade Napoleon cake that is both flaky and elegant, with a generous amount of delicious pastry cream.

Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Not only does this decadent treat boast an irresistible combination of textures and flavors, but it’s also remarkably easy to prepare. The result is a cake that is incredibly moist with rich chocolate flavor, perfectly balanced in sweetness, and surprisingly simple to make, making it a true showstopper for any occasion or gathering.

Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Mousse

Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Mousse

Crafted to perfection, this revised take on the classic Red velvet cake boasts a lighter and more refined version of the beloved dessert. Characterized by its bright red color and super moist sponges, it’s now paired with an airy cream cheese mousse that adds a delightful tanginess to each bite.

German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake

Welcoming to our sweet treat collection, we have a decadent German chocolate cake recipe that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. This mouth-watering dessert boasts a super moist and rich chocolate cake as its foundation, but the true pièce de résistance is the indulgent butterscotch frosting loaded with crunchy pecans and toasted coconut. The combination of textures and flavors in this cake makes it truly unforgettable.

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