Favorite Potluck Cake Recipes

Potluck cakes are the perfect party dessert. From pound cakes to cream cakes, here’s a list of favorite potluck cakes to inspire.

By Yankee Magazine|Mar 09 2016|

Blueberry Boy Bait

Credit: Heath Robbins

Many of these potluck cake recipes can be prepared quickly from ingredients you’re likely to have on hand, so they’re perfect when you need a few last-minute church supper or potluck ideas or just want to try something a little different for the weekly family dinner.

Hawaiian Wedding Cake | Favorite Potluck Cake Recipes
*Credit: Jen Perez*

FAVORITE POTLUCK CAKE RECIPES

Easy Pound Cake

One of our favorite potluck cakes is also one of the most versatile. We think you’ll enjoy this classic pound cake recipe, and baking it in the bundt pan makes for an attractive presentation. If you’re not fond of almond flavoring, omit that and increase the vanilla to 1-1/2 teaspoons.

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Chocolate Cream Pound Cake

We really enjoyed this loaf cake, which is lighter than most pound cakes. It is heavenly served with sliced strawberries and dusted with confectioners’ sugar. According to the contributor, “If you can resist eating it, this cake will keep fresh and moist for as long as a week if cooled thoroughly and wrapped airtight in plastic wrap and foil.”

Grammy Clade’s Coffee Cake

A popular contribution to church suppers and other potlucks, this is also a special treat for a family breakfast. The topping has a delicious caramel flavor.

Coke Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Summer is the season for ultra-portable sheet cakes, and it’s hard to imagine a more kid-friendly sheet cake than this Coke Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting.

Minnie’s Shortcake

A traditional shortcake recipe that the parishioners of All Saints Church in Warwick, Rhode Island, use at their annual strawberry shortcake supper each June.

Boston Cream Pie

All New Englanders know that Boston Cream Pie is not a pie at all, but a cake. And this version is so easy to make!

Boston Cream Pie Icebox Cake

We know it’s not a “real” Boston Cream Pie, but if you love the layered combination of vanilla cake, cold custard, and chocolate glaze, we think this icebox version of the classic New England dessert is just the thing, and since it’s no-bake, it’s perfect for summer.

Apple Cake

Very light and not overly sweet. The poppy seeds add delicious texture. This apple cake is a good choice for a morning coffee cake, but we also liked it as a dessert, served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Apple-Pie Cake

Our tester called this apple pie cake “incredibly easy for something so good.” We loved the combination of apple-pie spices, apples, and pecans in the cake. This superb coffee cake makes a great dessert served warm with ice cream.

Blueberry Boy Bait

An easy and delicious cake that tastes like a blueberry muffin and is rumored to have the power to help you snag the man of your choosing. No wonder it’s one of the most popular potluck cake recipes in our archives!

Cranberry Swirl Coffee Cake

Kids and adults both love this — be prepared for lots of requests for the recipe! Serve it with coffee, of course, but also as a snack or dessert. One family we know has happily settled on this as the centerpiece of their traditional Christmas morning breakfast. If you don’t have a big sweet tooth, try using just half of the glaze recipe.

Hawaiian Wedding Cake

We’re delighted that this Hawaiian wedding cake recipe, which uses pineapple as its main ingredient, made its way to New England. It’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious — great for a party. The cake itself is so moist and full of flavor that it would be almost as good without the frosting.

Root Beer Cake

Moist and light, the way good cake should be, and perfect for a child’s birthday party. If the whipped cream frosting doesn’t appeal, try making your favorite cream cheese frosting, substituting root beer extract for the vanilla.