RecipesGrandma Riley’s Banana Cake This favorite recipe has been passed down through my husband’s family. His grandmother wrote this out for me shortly after we were married. She copied it from a recipe that her mother had written out for her many years before. These handwritten treasures in my recipe box bring back so many fond memories. —Jamie Dunn, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
RecipesVanilla Chocolate Chip Cake I’m a teenager who loves to bake and have won several ribbons at the county fair. When we’re asked to take a dish to a potluck, I often help my mom make it. This scrumptious cake is easy to transport and fun to serve because everyone likes it! -Abigail Crawford, Lake Butler, Florida
RecipesCranberry-Orange Pound Cake At the summer tourist resort my husband and I operate in Ontario, we prepare all the meals for our guests, so I’m always trying out new recipes. —Sheree Swistun, Winnipeg, Manitoba
RecipesDark Chocolate Pecan Cake Made in a single loaf pan, this doubly good chocolate cake has a nutty praline layer and two layers of fluffy whipped cream. This is the only cake my husband really likes. —Laura Draper, Garfield, Washington
RecipesPecan Banana Bundt Cake My daughter, Liz, often made this banana bundt cake for us. It was delicious and different. She discovered five-spice powder during a culinary class field trip. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
RecipesPeanut Butter Banana Cake I’ve had this well-worm recipe for as long as I’ve been married. I often make it for potluck functions. The ladies love it, but the heavy texture is a real favorite with men.—Lee Deneau, Lansing, Michigan
RecipesLemon Angel Cake Bars A neighbor gave me this recipe years ago and it’s been in flavor rotation ever since. It can be made ahead and serves a bunch, so it’s perfect for parties and potlucks. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
RecipesButtermilk Cake with Caramel Icing This fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It’s been a family favorite since the ’70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
RecipesGrandma’s Apple Carrot Cake Rich, moist and cinnamony, this old-fashioned cake recipe was handed down from our beloved Grandma Kelly. It’s a perfect way to use up a few carrots and an apple…and it’s ideal for smaller families, since it yields fewer servings.
RecipesVanilla Ice Cream Cake For my kids’ birthdays, I like to top this ice cream birthday cake with jimmies. —Becky Herges, Fargo, North Dakota
RecipesRoot Beer Float Cake I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
RecipesChunky Fresh Mango Cake This delicious cake, a family favorite, originated years ago with a great-aunt who lived in Florida and had her own mango tree. It’s a sweet, moist cake, with slightly crisp edges. —Allene Bary-Cooper, Wichita Falls, Texas
RecipesLemon-Rosemary Layer Cake Tall and impressive, this unique lemon-rosemary layer cake is a treat for the senses with flecks of lemon zest and fresh rosemary. Just wait until you taste it! —Mary Fraser, Surprise, Arizona
RecipesOld-Fashioned Rhubarb Cake My great-aunt gave me this rhubarb cake recipe. It’s especially delicious when rhubarb is in season, and tastes even better with the old-fashioned milk topping. But you’ll love it even with frozen rhubarb and “modern-day” whipped topping! —Marilyn Homola, Hazel, South Dakota
RecipesEasy Lemon Pound Cake Who doesn’t love moist lemon cake, especially when you add cream cheese to a boxed mix for extra richness? —Flora Valdez, San Bernadino, California
RecipesPeanut Butter Cake Bars These cakelike bars are packed with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and they’re perfect for any occasion. Kids and adults alike are in for a treat with these gems. —Charlotte Ennis, Lake Arthur, New Mexico