Each one of these 25 classic cakes has something special, and not all of them are layer cakes.
(Hello Bundt pan, my old friend.)
This will be the tastiest bucket list you’ve ever completed.

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Read on for 25 classiccakes everyone should makeat least once.
That said, we have plenty of other upside-down cake flavors if pineapple isn’t your favorite fruit.
Classic Southern Pound Cake
Ah, these might be our favorite four words in a sequence.

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This recipe is the ultimate classic, and it should be baked right and baked often.
Expect six to nine layers of vanilla sponge cake sandwiched between a custard or creamy filling.
Sea Salt-Caramel Cake
Caramel cake is about as classic as it gets in the South.

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Red Velvet Cake
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Don’t be frightened.
This crimson cake is not nearly as complicated as you imagine.
The Ultimate Carrot Cake
It’s called “the ultimate” for a reason.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cake
This cake feels like a breath of fresh air.
Tender lemony layers live in perfect harmony with strawberry-lemonade jam filling and strawberry frosting.
It’s got a lot going on, but there’s a reason to every rhyme.

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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
Two words: Triple Chocolate.
That sums up this cake deliciouslyand the two glazes just put it over the top.
For any host, this cake will catch some eyes.

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This particular version is beautiful in its simplicity, but it will always steal the show at Christmastime.
Key Lime Pound Cake
Take your classic Southern pound cake to the beach!
You’ll be serving up slices that capture the flavor of the Florida Keys with this citrus recipe.

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You’ll be getting something even better.
These citrusy cake layers are sandwiched with rich, buttery lemon curd.
(In southeast Alabama, a few ladies are still famous for their towering 14-layer lemon-cheese cakes.)

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Caramel Apple Cake
This might be the prettiest cake you’ll make all year.
(And it requires only 20 minutes of hands-on prep time.)
The fall-inspired cake is topped with sauteed apple slices and a to-die-for apple-brandy caramel sauce.

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Praline-Cream Cheese King Cake
We don’t think making this cake should apply only to New Orleanians.
The light, fluffy chiffon cake climbs high in the tube pan.
The cake’s flavor stands alone.

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Heavenly Angel Food Cake
This cake is called heavenly for a reason.

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