Sure, cakes bought at the bakery are delicious, and confectionery from the ice cream parlor will do the job. But sometimes there’s nothing quite like an old-school homemade birthday cake that serves up taste and nostalgia in equal parts. Retro cakes are so much more than just delicious desserts.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 15 of the best vintage cakes that are also the perfect birthday treat. From a cake that doesn’t require baking, to others that use unexpected ingredients (hint: soda, orange juice, and even mashed potatoes!) To create their signature taste and texture Vintage cake recipes are a must.
For more information, check out these 15 Classic American Desserts That Are Deserving a Comeback.
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This delicious cake, which originated on the island of Jamaica, became popular in the US after it was published in a 1978 issue of Southern Living magazine. The cake, which is said to be named after Jamaica’s national bird, offers a perfect balance of ripe banana purees, crushed pineapple, cinnamon, vanilla extract and sweet cream cheese frosting.
Get the recipe from Averie Cooks.
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Courtesy The Seasoned Mom
A delicious treat that became a household favorite in the 1920s and 1930s, the icebox cake is an easy-to-prepare dessert that does not require baking. All you need for this particular recipe are five ingredients: heavy whipped cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and chocolate graham crackers.
Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
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The Chocolate Cake Roll, also known as the Swiss Roll, has graced dessert tables around the world for hundreds of years. This particular recipe uses dark chocolate cocoa powder, pure vanilla extract, and rich chocolate buttercream frosting to create a memorable dessert.
Get the recipe from Wilton.
CONNECTED: This 7-day smoothie diet will help you shed those last few pounds.
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This Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, which is full of juicy pineapples, maraschino cherries, and warm brown sugar, has a cute little secret – it’s made from a boxed cake mix! Right, you can cut prep time without sacrificing taste by using a good ol ‘box of Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker.
Get the recipe from Love from the Oven.
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If you’re looking for a proven birthday cake recipe, you’ve come to the right place. This classic yellow cake with chocolate icing recipe is sure to hit the spot. The moist yellow cake and creamy homemade chocolate icing are a match made in dessert heaven.
Get the recipe from My Name Is Yeh.
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Hot milk cake, made from simple ingredients like milk, butter, and sugar, became increasingly popular in the 1940s after sugar rations were introduced, topped with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries, or served as-is, cake is sure to be a huge hit every birthday party.
Get the recipe from Retro Housewife Goes Green.
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In this sour cream pound cake recipe, a popular dessert and after dinner recipe that dates back to the 18th century, hot sour cream replaces milk. This deliciously moist cake, which takes just over an hour to make, can be easily refined in a number of ways. For example, we love the idea of mixing in dark chocolate chips or topping them with a lemon-vanilla drizzle and edible flowers.
Get the recipe from Bigger Bolder Baking.
Courtesy Cooking Classy
If you are a fan of oat cookies, you must try this delicious oatmeal cake recipe. With delicious ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and coconut, this hearty recipe is ideal for birthdays or even for breakfast. Feel free to add chocolate chips, raisins or walnuts to make this cake your own.
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
Courtesy The View from Great Island
Crunchy walnuts and freshly grated zucchini come together in this recipe that has been a household favorite for decades. The cake is delicious on its own, but if you want to take it to a new height, make sure to whip up the cream cheese frosting, which is made with soft cream cheese, butter, sugar, vanilla, and a dash of squeezed lemon juice.
Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.
Courtesy Flour on My Face
This carrot cake recipe, published in the Farm Journal’s Country Cookbook, originally printed in 1959, uses grated carrots, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to get its signature flavor. Our favorite part? The homemade cream cheese frosting!
Get the recipe from Flour on My Face.
Courtesy The Seasoned Mom
This old fashioned orange juice cake uses orange peel, a boxed yellow cake mix, and orange icing to create its sweet and tangy flavor that will make you come back time and time again. An unexpected ingredient, the instant custard mix, also helps this unique cake reach maximum moisture.
Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
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If you want to try something new, this is the dessert for you. Made with brown sugar, milk, and dried fruit, this delicious Bavarian potato coffee cake recipe was originally published years ago in one of Imperial Sugar’s vintage cookbooks. Its secret ingredient? Mashed potatoes that help this unique cake get its undeniably moist texture.
Get the recipe from Imperial Sugar.
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Angel Food Cake, which appeared in cookbooks as early as the 19th century, is known for its spongy texture and delicately sweet taste. This old-fashioned delicacy gets a healthy upgrade in this updated recipe that’s made with less sugar. Whether you just serve this cake or top it with fresh whipped cream and chilled berries, it is sure to become a quick favorite for any birthday gathering.
Get the recipe from The Vintage Mixer.
Courtesy Averie Cooks
At first glance, Coca-Cola may sound like an unexpected ingredient for a birthday cake, but it was all the rage in the 1960s and 1970s. We love how in this particular recipe the sweet and carbonated drink is not only mixed into the batter, but also poured into the frosting.
Get the recipe from Averie Cooks.
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If you’re looking for a fun cake recipe that combines two must-have flavors – rich chocolate and cool peppermint – you’ve come to the right place. This 1968 recipe is everything we want in a cake and more. Made with unsweetened cocoa, smooth vanilla extract, and mint-infused whipped cream, this recipe is perfect for all fans of mint chocolate ice cream.
Get the recipe from Click Americana.
