Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
There’s no one quite like a Southern Mama.
Most of the year, Mama’s everyday efforts may go unnoticed.
Come May, it’s time to celebrate her.
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Treat Mama to a sweet slice of one of these stunningspringtime cakesthis Mother’s Day.
Drizzle withchocolate frostingand top with edible pansies for a simple but elegant touch.
you could find them at specialty grocers.
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Chocolate Strawberry Cake
A chocolate-covered strawberry in cake form?
Finely chop the strawberries so they blend well with the creamy frosting.
Place fresh strawberry halves on top, or add chocolate dipped strawberries for an extra special touch.
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Strong brewed coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, and a rich coconut-pecan frosting takes it over the top.
Freeze-dried strawberries and rose contribute to the color and flavor.
For an alternative, make cupcakes and skip the layers altogether.
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The secret to the cracked surface is added leavening, making it resemble old-fashioned donuts.
Extra layers of glaze provide a crackly finish.
This pretty pink version celebrates strawberry season and Mama, and it’s great for a crowd.
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A little strawberry-flavored gelatin enhances the taste.
This recipe is a great way to use the mint overflowing in the garden.
Both the devil’s food cake and the buttercream frosting get subtle flavor from the mint.
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Sprinkle with jimmies or leave it plaineither way it’s good.
Chocolate-Zucchini Cake
Mama will never guess that this decadent chocolate cake is really packed full of veggies.
Brown Butter-Pistachio Frosting is a perfect match for this sweet, rich chocolate cake.
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7UP Bundt Cake
This Bundt cake is oh-so-easy and absolutely delicious.
It’s based on a classic recipe that uses lemon-limesoft drink.
Fresh lemon and lime zest ramp up the citrus flavor.
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Cake layers made tender by buttermilk, richpecan pie filling, and browned butter frosting are a dream combination.
This cake can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time.
Line your pan with parchment paper to keep the cake from sticking and easy removal.
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This cake can be made up to three months ahead of time and frozen, unfrosted.
Angel Food Cake
Angel food cake for the original angel in your life.
Top this airy cake with anything Mom likes, from chocolate syrup to fresh fruit.
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Use a tube pan for this recipe.
Lemon-Orange Buttercream Frosting elevates the decadence.
Classic Chocolate Pound Cake
This one’s for all the chocolate-loving mamas out there.
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The decadent chocolate pound cake is topped with a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
Cut into this cake to reveal neat rows of strawberries.
Dreamy Whipped Frosting fills all the nooks and crannies.
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Key lime juice and zest infuse the cake with zippy flavor, and aKey limeglaze adds tang.
Brush the glaze over top of the cake while still warm.
Start with asheet cakeand use a round cutter to create small cakes.
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Homemade whipped cream frosting spreads easily.
Adorn with edible flowers.
The cake recipe was created when common kitchen ingredients were hard to come by or rationed.
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It doesn’t use any eggs, milk, or butter.
This version is topped with Peach Schnapps-flavored frosting.
Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake
The secret to a crack-free cheesecake is cooking it gently in a water bath.
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This cake has lemon in every layer.
Make the crust with cream-filled lemon sandwich cookies and top the lemon-infused filling withlemon curdafter baking.
Use store-bought strawberry glaze for the swirl.
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Garnish with more fresh strawberries and whipping cream.
you could frost the whole cake for a more formal gathering.
The recipe comes from Mildred “Mama Dip” Council ofMama Dip’s Kitchenin Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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There’s rum in the cake and the glaze for double the flavor.
Sugar flowers make a sweet garnish.
Top with fresh fruit and a spoonful of whipped cream.
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Spoon a thick layer of ganache over the cake layers and spread with the rich caramel buttercream frosting.
Freezing between layering allows the ganache to set.
Sea Salt-Caramel Cake
This layer cake masterfully balances salty and sweet.
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Mama will be coming back for a second slice.
Thecaramel frostingtakes a few extra minutes, but it’s worth it.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Cinnamon Coffee Cake
A special day to celebrate Mama?
That warrants cake for breakfast.
Mom will rave over the pineapple compote filling.
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Serve as is or top with a drizzle of honey, fresh fruit, or lime zest.
Skip the individual servings for a stunning cake that feeds a crowd.
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Turn just five ingredients into this simple and impressive cake.
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Layer chocolate wafer cookies with homemade whipped cream that’s flavored and colored by strawberry jam.
This cake was first submitted toSouthern Livingby Mrs. L.H.
Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1978.
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Whisk the batter in one bowl, and bake for 30 minutes.
Three easybuttercream frostingvariations are included, such as Salted Caramel, Tahini, and Spiced Chocolate.
The Italian meringue buttercream takes some extra time, but it’s worth the effort.
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Top the coconut layer cake with pecans and a nutty cream cheese frosting.
The cream cheese-peanut butter frosting levels up thepeanut flavorand balances the dessert’s sweetness.
Mississippi Mud Cake
Reach for this favorite stand-by to show your mom some love.
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Bake the fudgy cake, then top it with marshmallows and a generous amount of chocolate frosting.
Give yourself plenty of time because Mom won’t wait to dig in.
Use those overripe bananas to make a dreamy cake for Mom.
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This sweet, colorful cake adds a cheerful note to Mom’s big day.
Margarita Cake
Southern Living
No salt is needed for this margarita.
White cake is studded with raisins, softened with rum extract, and topped with billowy, marshmallowy frosting.
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Homemade strawberry-lemonade jam is sandwiched between layers of lemon cake.
Make the pink strawberry frosting with cream cheese and fresh strawberries.
Mama will thank you for this delicious treat.
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Lemon Raspberry Cake
This delicious crowdpleaser is fruity, creamy, and perfect for springtime.
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