Layered, Glazed, and Slightly Overdramatic – These Vintage Cakes Don’t Come from a Box
Mar 17, 2025
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Grab your apron, butter your pans, and brace yourself for a sugar high with a side of nostalgia. These Vintage Cake Recipes are here to prove that grandma wasn’t just baking—she was making magic. From the sweet, sticky layers of Caramel Cake to the unapologetically nutty charm of a Hickory Nut or Walnut Cake (1887), these classics have stood the test of time (and several bake sales). You’ll want a second slice of the Copycat Entenmann’s Crumb Coffee Cake, and don’t even try to act casual around Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake—it demands attention. Feeling fancy? Italian Cream Cake and Victoria Sponge Cake have you covered. And when you’re craving something that tastes like comfort in a bundt pan, Kentucky Butter Pound Cake is ready to do the heavy lifting. Go ahead—your cake plate’s not going to fill itself.
Table of Contents
- Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake
- Almond Torte Recipe
- Copycat Entenmann’s Crumb Coffee Cake
- Vintage Watergate Cake
- Oatmeal Cake
- Vintage Cherry Cake
- Caramel Cake
- Italian Cream Cake
- Kentucky Butter Pound Cake
- The Best Carrot Cake
- Coffee Cake Pound Cake
- Angel Food Cake
- Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Hot Milk Cake
- Victoria Sponge Cake
- Daffodil Cake
- Hickory Nut or Walnut Cake (1887)
- Coffee Cake (1877)
- Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Double Chocolate Cake
Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake
A Southern classic with serious charm, Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake brings together mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, and a hint of cinnamon in every bite. This rich, nutty, and perfectly spiced cake has been stealing hearts at Sunday suppers for decades. If vintage cakes had a hall of fame, this one would be front and center.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake
Almond Torte Recipe
On Friday, I spent the afternoon in the kitchen with one of my good friends, Becky, of Vintage Mixer. Fridays are my day off and I always try to cook and bake, but I usually do it alone. It was nice having some company in the kitchen. We made a couple of recipes, but my…
Get the Recipe: Almond Torte Recipe
Copycat Entenmann’s Crumb Coffee Cake
Thick, buttery crumbs and a rich vanilla base make Copycat Entenmann’s Crumb Coffee Cake the ultimate throwback treat. That signature brown sugar streusel is piled high, giving every bite a perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. Whether paired with morning coffee or eaten straight from the pan, this cake is an undeniable classic.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Entenmann’s Crumb Coffee Cake
Vintage Watergate Cake
This retro classic is a pistachio lover’s dream! Vintage Watergate Cake gets its signature green hue from instant pudding and its incredible moisture from club soda. Topped with fluffy whipped frosting and crunchy nuts, it’s a prime example of why vintage cakes never go out of style.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Watergate Cake
Oatmeal Cake
A soft and amazingly moist oatmeal-based cake that tastes just like what grandma would have made! It has a delicious, spiced flavor and it’s finished with a super easy, sweet coconut topping.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Cake
Vintage Cherry Cake
Homemade Vintage Cherry Cake from scratch is bursting with sweet maraschino cherry flavor and tinted the perfect shade of pink!
Get the Recipe: Vintage Cherry Cake
Caramel Cake
If buttery layers and thick caramel frosting sound like a dream, then Caramel Cake is your reality. This Southern staple has been gracing tables for generations, with its glossy, cooked caramel icing that firms up just enough to create the perfect bite. It’s the kind of cake that disappears long before anyone thinks to ask for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Cake
Italian Cream Cake
Coconut, pecans, and a dreamy cream cheese frosting make Italian Cream Cake a Southern showstopper. Despite its name, there’s nothing remotely Italian about this rich, nutty confection—it’s all about old-school charm and indulgence. If you like your cake with a little crunch and a lot of history, this is the one to try.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cream Cake
Kentucky Butter Pound Cake
Kentucky Butter Pound Cake is a buttery, vanilla-kissed masterpiece that gets even better as it sits. A rich glaze seeps into every crumb, creating an irresistibly moist texture with a delicate sugar crunch on the edges. If you’re looking for a dessert that stands the test of time, this one is it.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Butter Pound Cake
The Best Carrot Cake
Packed with shredded carrots, warm spices, and just the right amount of sweetness, The Best Carrot Cake is the definition of a crowd-pleaser. A thick layer of cream cheese frosting takes it over the top, creating a balance of tangy and rich flavors. If classic cakes are your thing, this one belongs in your lineup.
Get the Recipe: The Best Carrot Cake
Coffee Cake Pound Cake
When two classics collide, you get Coffee Cake Pound Cake—a rich, buttery cake with a thick swirl of cinnamon and brown sugar. It’s got the dense, melt-in-your-mouth texture of a pound cake with all the cozy flavors of a breakfast favorite. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds in one irresistible loaf.
Get the Recipe: Coffee Cake Pound Cake
Angel Food Cake
Light as a feather and just the right amount of sweet, Angel Food Cake is the definition of a vintage cake done right. Whipped egg whites create an airy texture that feels almost too delicate to be real, yet one bite proves otherwise. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a handful of fresh berries is all it takes to make this classic shine.
Get the Recipe: Angel Food Cake
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Velvety cream cheese pound cake recipe: This bakes up a dream! Moist & dense yet so tender & buttery, with a fine, even crumb. Easy recipe.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Hot Milk Cake
My old-fashioned Hot Milk Cake recipe makes a dense yellow cake topped with a thick layer of chocolate fudge frosting. It’s so simple!
Get the Recipe: Hot Milk Cake
Victoria Sponge Cake
There’s a reason Victoria Sponge Cake has been gracing tables for generations—it’s simple, elegant, and downright delicious. Fluffy sponge layers sandwich a generous spread of jam and whipped cream, making it a textbook example of a vintage cake done right. A few fresh berries on top, and it’s ready to steal the show at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Victoria Sponge Cake
Daffodil Cake
Light, fluffy, and speckled with sunshine-colored swirls, Daffodil Cake is a true vintage gem. The clever use of egg yolks and whites creates two contrasting batters, making every slice look as good as it tastes. With its delicate texture and airy sweetness, it’s the kind of cake that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Daffodil Cake
Hickory Nut or Walnut Cake (1887)
Straight from the pages of an 1800s cookbook, Hickory Nut or Walnut Cake is a true taste of history. The warm spice blend, heavy-handed nutty goodness, and old-fashioned mace seasoning give it a deep, nostalgic flavor. If you love a cake with a story, this one is worth every bite.
Get the Recipe: Hickory Nut or Walnut Cake (1887)
Coffee Cake (1877)
Nothing beats the cozy charm of Coffee Cake (1877), a recipe that’s been delighting breakfast tables for well over a century. With a tender crumb, just the right amount of sweetness, and a hint of spice, it pairs perfectly with a strong cup of coffee. If you ever wondered what cake tasted like in the 1800s, now’s your chance to find out.
Get the Recipe: Coffee Cake (1877)
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Make this classic moist red velvet cake for your next celebration! Easy to make, with less than half the food coloring of other recipes.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Double Chocolate Cake
If rich, fudgy layers covered in glossy ganache don’t scream perfection, Double Chocolate Cake is here to prove otherwise. This vintage cake isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a full-on chocolate experience that never goes out of style. Whether for birthdays or random Tuesday cravings, this classic never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cake