Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (2024)

The 1950s was a decade known for its vintage charm, glamour and elegant parties. The culinary arts were not left behind, and baking was one of the highlights of the era. From classic fruit cakes to stunning chocolate cakes, the 1950s was a time when baking was an art form and every recipe was a masterpiece.

The 1950s vintage cakes were iconic for their elegant designs, sophisticated flavors and use of classic ingredients. Unlike other eras, the 1950s placed an emphasis on presentation and attention to detail, making each cake a true work of art. The cakes were often decorated with intricate piping, fresh fruit and other embellishments, showcasing the skills of the baker and the sophistication of the era.

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The flavors of 1950s cakes were also unique, with a focus on classic ingredients such as coconut, cherries, and lemon, creating a timeless taste that has withstood the test of time. The 1950s was a time when baking was elevated to an art form, and each vintage cake was a true masterpiece, making them truly iconic and memorable.

In this article, we will be highlighting some top vintage recipes for 1950s cakes, each with its unique flavor and design:

Old Fashioned Sugar Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (1)

Cooktop Cove

A light and fluffy cake made with oil, eggs, sugar, and flour. It's perfect for any occasion, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Get the full recipe here.

Angel Food Cake

A delicate cake made with egg whites and sugar, it's airy texture and sweet flavor make it a popular choice for dessert. You can upgrade your angel food cake with fruity toppings, as shown above. Get the recipe here.

Granny Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (3)

Cooktop Cove

If you’ve never tried Granny cake, you are in for a sweet surprise. This recipe is a throw-back to your grandma’s day, but it’s still every bit as delicious. It’s an old-fashioned dump cake flavored with canned pineapples and peaches. Top it with a quick coconut frosting, and you’ve got a truly irresistible dessert. Get the full recipe here.

Southern Preacher Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (4)

Cooktop Cove

Few cakes are as decadent and easy as this preacher cake. How did this cake get its name? The original preacher cake was designed to be made from ingredients already in your pantry. Get the full recipe here.

Chocolate Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (5)

Cooktop Cove

Sure, there are lots of people who claim they have the key to a super moist chocolate cake. But this recipe is it. One bite of this luxurious chocolate cake topped with rich, chocolate buttercream frosting, and you’ll agree. This is THE super moist chocolate cake recipe and the only recipe for chocolate cake you’ll ever need. Get the full recipe here.

Lemon Cake

A tangy and sweet cake, made with lemon juice, this cake is perfect for a summertime dessert. Get the full recipe here.

Carrot Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (7)

Cooktop Cove

A moist cake made with grated carrots and spices, this cake is a healthier alternative for those looking for a sweet treat. Get the recipe here.

Pound Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (8)

Cooktop Cove

A dense and buttery cake, made with sugar, eggs, flour and butter, this cake is perfect for those who love their sweets rich. The following pound recipe has just 5 ingredients. Get the full recipe here.

Fruitcake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (9)

A classic cake made with dried fruit, nuts and spices, this cake is perfect for holidays and special occasions. Get the full recipe here.

White velvet cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (10)

White Velvet Cake is a delightful and elegant dessert that captivates with its tender and velvety texture. This heavenly creation boasts a delicate vanilla flavor, heightened by the addition of buttermilk, which lends moisture and richness to the cake. Get the full recipe here.

Lemon Velvet Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (11)

Indulge your taste buds with the zesty allure of Lemon Velvet Cake, a citrusy twist on the classic velvet cake recipe. Bursting with the refreshing taste of lemons, this cake features a velvety, moist crumb that simply melts in your mouth. Infused with lemon zest and juice, the cake's tangy essence is perfectly balanced with a delectable cream cheese or lemon buttercream frosting, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors. Get the full recipe here.

Million Dollar Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (12)

This culinary masterpiece is no ordinary dessert; it is a slice of heaven on earth that will leave you longing for more. The moment this cake graces your taste buds, you will understand why it carries such a grandiose name. The best part about this cake? It doesn't take a million bucks to make! Get the full recipe here.

German Chocolate Cake

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (13)

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Experience the rich and sumptuous goodness of German Chocolate Cake, a timeless confection that hails from the German-American baking heritage. This decadent cake boasts layers of moist chocolate sponge, traditionally filled with a luscious coconut-pecan frosting. The nutty and caramel-like flavors of the frosting beautifully complement the deep cocoa notes of the chocolate layers. Get the full recipe here.

Most popular vintage cake recipes from the 1950s (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular cake in Southern history? ›

1978: Hummingbird Cake

The tropical fruit and nut flavored cake was featured in a 1978 Southern Living, and has continued to be one of the most-requested recipes in our history.

What is a vintage cake? ›

Vintage cakes are vintage or “retro” because they've been around (and around and around) for centuries. They're known for their frilly, over-piped design and can be traced back to the French Rococo style of the 1700s – an age known for its ornate and gilded designs.

What cake was a secret for two decades? ›

The cake was called chiffon for its weightlessness, but the name conjures negligees too, and the power of illusions. It is almost nothing, this cake, and yet so rich: angel and devil at once. In the United States, the novelty has worn off.

What is the world's most famous cake? ›

The world's most famous cake, the Original Sacher-Torte, is the consequence of several lucky twists of fate. The first was in 1832, when the Austrian State Chancellor, Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, tasked his kitchen staff with concocting an extraordinary dessert to impress his special guests.

What cake is Louisiana known for? ›

The name “king cake” comes from the Biblical story of the three kings who bring gifts to Baby Jesus. A blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll, king cake is usually iced in yellow, green and purple – the colors of Mardi Gras -- and is frequently packed with fruit fillings and decadent cream cheeses.

What is the number one cake in America? ›

Ice cream cake, as residents in Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington all consider this one their favorite. Taking the second slot, seven states love a fruit-centered dessert: strawberry cake.

What were the popular birthday cakes in the 1970s? ›

Carrot cake. Jell-O poke cake. Pudding cake, Bundt cake, or Bundt pudding cake. Strawberry shortcake.

What is the oldest cake in history? ›

The world's oldest known cake, baked during the reign of Pepi II in Egypt between BCE 2251 and 2157. Alimentarium, Vevey, Switzerland. The Egyptians gave us the world's oldest known cake–and also the world's oldest Tupperware as it happens.

What is Elvis Presley cake? ›

An Elvis Presley cake is a single-layer classic yellow cake that's topped with a pineapple glaze. Much like a poke cake, the syrup and juices of the pineapple will seep into the cake through fork holes, resulting in a decadent, ultra-moist cake.

What is the rarest cake in the world? ›

The "Diamond Cake" by Debbie Wingham - Price: $75 million

An amalgamation of luxury and confectionary art, it's embedded with more than 4000 diamonds, including pink, yellow, and white ones, making it not just a cake but a jewelled masterpiece. It's no wonder it holds the crown for the most expensive cake in the world!

What did the old woman notice when she baked cake? ›

Answer: Saint Peter asked the old lady for one of her baked cakes. The lady tried to bake a small cake for the saint. But as the cake was baking, she noticed that it seemed too big to give away, so she kneaded a smaller dough.

What was the original birthday cake? ›

It is believed that the first actual birthday cake was made in Germany in the Middle Ages. The Germans would celebrate children's birthdays with cake, calling the celebration Kinderfest. Cakes originally were a coarse, bread-like product, and later became a much sweeter version, called Geburtstagorten.

What is the most eaten cake? ›

The most popular cake is chocolate, followed by vanilla and red velvet.

What is the name of the popular Southern cake named after a type of fabric? ›

When aptly named Harry Baker introduced his Chiffon Cake recipe, it was dubbed the first “new” type of cake in over 100 years, adding to the already familiar sponge and butter cakes.

Is King Cake a Southern thing? ›

In Louisiana and parts of the Gulf Coast region historically settled by the French, king cake is associated with Mardi Gras and is traditionally served from Epiphany until Carnival and recently year-round. It may have been introduced by Basque settlers in 1718, or by the French in 1870. It comes in a number of styles.

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