This is undoubtedly one of the easiest shortcake recipes you’ll ever make. Skip the time-consuming step of shaping individual shortcakes and just pour the batter into a 12×17-inch jelly-roll pan and bake. Such a simple summer dessert that everyone loves!

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What sets this berry coffee cake apart is its irresistible cracked topping. The secret? Sprinkle sugar over the batter, then pour boiling water over the entire surface. As the cake bakes, the topping transforms into a slightly golden, crackled crust that’s so crisp and tempting, you’ll want to dig in the moment it comes out of the oven.

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While this recipe does require a bit of planning ahead to allow time for the cake to chill, that actually works to your advantage. It forces you to prepare most of the cake before the party kicks off, leaving only the finishing touches to add just before serving. That means more time to relax and enjoy time with your guests!

We love this for Cinco de Mayo – it’s the ultimate dessert you can make ahead, plus it’s festive and springy at the same time. It’s also great for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day! It’s my favorite!

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I’m in love with this curd cake. It’s incredibly easy to make, bakes in just 30 minutes, and requires minimal mixing. The secret is the crumble-like cake dough, which creates the perfect buttery base and topping. Packed with bright lime flavor from the curd, this cake is rich and citrusy in every bite. You can use homemade lime curd or grab a jar from the store to make preparation a cinch!

I love this in spring, but it also makes a good “anytime” coffee cake for brunch. We host a lot of out of town company, so I love to have a warm cake just out of the oven to serve to my guests!

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Chocolate seems to be the ultimate expression of love on Valentine’s Day when it comes to sweet treats. So, in the spirit of romance, I’m sharing my decadent white chocolate molten lava cake, baked in individual ramekins for an unforgettable night in! And since you can prepare them up to two days ahead to bake fresh, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your love!

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As cooler weather arrives, so does the craving for spiced, comforting desserts – the kind that fill your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon and brown sugar, like Cinnamon Apple Cream Cake or Apple Butter Oatmeal Bars. 

This apple pecan cake delivers exactly that: a moist, tender crumb packed with soft diced apples, chopped pecans, and warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom). But the real magic happens when rich caramel glaze is poured over the warm cake, seeping everywhere for an irresistibly sticky, buttery bite.

Serve each slice with ice cream for dessert or enjoy it as an indulgent treat with hot coffee!

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What sets this blackberry coffee cake apart is its irresistible layered texture. First a tender base of batter, then a crumbly cinnamon streusel, followed by juicy blackberries, and finally another layer of batter and streusel for the perfect finish. Each bite of this layered coffee cake delivers a delightful contrast of soft cake, sweet-tart berries, and buttery crunch. 

Plus, it’s endlessly adaptable! Swap in your favorite warm spices, sprinkle toasted nuts over the streusel for extra richness, or dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. Whether served warm with coffee or as a post-dinner dessert, this cake is guaranteed to become a new favorite.

Looking for more scrumptious cakes to add to your morning and afternoon coffee rotation? Try this Easy Granny Cake, Sour Cream Blueberry Cake, or Cherry Ricotta Cake. 

Why is it called “coffee cake”?

You might be wondering why this cake is called “coffee” cake when it has no coffee in it at all! 

“Coffee cake” gets its name not from what’s in it but what it’s served with! This lightly sweet, streusel-topped treat was originally developed as a social snack, enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee. It’s said to have originated in Europe with the tradition being carried over to America where the name stuck even though the cake itself is completely caffeine-free. 

Today, you’ll find an endless variety of coffee cake recipes online from chocolate-infused coffee cakes to those loaded with fresh fruit and even chopped candy, like my Heath Bar Coffee Cake! Enjoy this versatile treat as a scrumptious pick-me-up morning or afternoon snack or pair it with ice cream and whipped cream as an easy and satisfying dessert. 

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While rich and decadent desserts certainly have a place in my heart, I also appreciate lighter cakes that can be enjoyed any time of the day for any occasion. This ricotta cake recipe doesn’t disappoint! It’s easy to make, fluffy and moist, and looks effortlessly sophisticated with its gorgeous plump cherries and sugar-dusted topping. 

The secret ingredient in this cherry cake recipe is ricotta cheese, if you haven’t already noticed! It adds just the right amount of moisture so you end up with a fluffy and light texture, loaded with flavor and not overly sweet. We enjoyed this cake twice this summer when our friend Erin brought her strawberry cake for dessert.

If you haven’t baked with ricotta cheese yet, you’re in for a treat! This star ingredient features in my Lemon Ricotta Pie, Strawberry Ricotta French Toast, and Flaky Blueberry Strudel – all perfect choices as summer-time treats! TIP: Make sure you have a cherry pitter – keep reading!

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There’s something irresistibly comforting about this Granny cake recipe. It’s a moist pineapple-infused cake soaked in a warm buttery brown sugar glaze and studded with crunchy walnuts (or pecans). Whether it’s the simplicity of pantry-staple ingredients or the way the buttery topping seeps into every bite, this dessert will instantly transport you to the good ol’ days. Best of all? It comes together in just over an hour, with most of that time being hands-off baking.

Looking for more pineapple cakes? Be sure to try this multi-layered Pineapple Dream Cake or this classic Upside Down Pineapple Cake Recipe.  And if you love a good old-fashioned cake, we love this Cocktail Cake recipe, too!

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This Upside Down Pineapple Cake Recipe is made with Duncan Hines Signature Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix, pineapple slices and cherries–a cake that is baked and then flipped out onto a platter so the bottom becomes the top. If you love pineapple cake, you’ll also want to try our Pineapple Dream Cake or Pineapple Poke Cake!

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