The traditional recipe for Pig Pickin' Cake calls for boxed yellow cake mix, mandarin oranges, instant vanilla pudding, crushed pineapple, and Cool Whip. This version makes the cake and the whipped cream from scratch for a super moist and slighty less pre-fab version. More

This cake is a riff on Key Lime Pie, complete with a tart key lime curd icing and buttery graham cracker crumbs. More

Pudding cake is just what the title advertises: pudding and cake. The wondrous part is that both components materialize in the same pan. Batter is spread in a pan, then sprinkled with a sugar and cocoa powder mixture and liquid. This top layer filters down, essentially swapping places with the batter. The result is a layer of cake floating on top of pudding. More

Bumpy Cake is a Detroit tradition. This moist, dark chocolate cake has a sweet layer of buttercream topped with a fudgy, almost caramelly chocolate frosting. It's ideal for chocolate lovers, and though it has three separate components that require freezer cooling to obtain picture perfect results, it's well worth the effort. More

This beautiful cake gets its flavor from an unexpected source: hibiscus flowers. More

For those of you who aren't into the chocolate overload aspect of the famous Tunnel of Fudge Cake, I have configured a sweet counterpart: the Tunnel of Penuche Cake. If fudge is the inspiration for the original, penuche (a "blonde" fudge made with brown sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla) is the muse for this honey-hued variation. More

Sometimes called a Fly Pie or Fly Cake, this pastry is not a common one in North America, but with a few ingredients and about half an hour you can have a classic British pastry to be proud of. Traditionally, Eccles Cakes are made with currants, which can be difficult to find as well as costly. This recipe substitutes golden raisins, which are a bit sweeter than currants but plump and take on the flavor of the brandy and spices very nicely. More

These meringue-topped cupcakes hold a sweet surprise: sliced strawberries and gooey Nutella. More

Composed of tortillas stacked chocolate cream filling and topped with a billow of fluffy white frosting, this torte visually resembles fancy stacked sponge cakes, but ultimately makes for a very different dessert experience. The tortillas take a bit of getting used to--they will remain lightly chewy even when the chocolate has had a chance to set--but the taste sensation is unlike any other dessert I've ever tried, with the floury taste of the tortillas mixing quite pleasantly with the rich chocolate-sour cream filling (which is also great by the spoonful) and the complementary tangy sweetness of the sour cream frosting. More

Satisfying and dense, this cake is crowned with a granola-based topping that melts and increases in crunchiness as it bakes, turning into a cookie-like shell. Peanut butter, cake, cookie—get all your cravings satisfied in a single bite. More

This recipe works a few mashed avocados into a pound cake recipe and adds a bit of cornmeal for texture. It bakes up just barely green, crisp on the edges, tender within, and with just a bit of a crunchy bite. More

This simple loaf cake is an easy, unfussy alternative to a layered and iced carrot cake. Toast slices and top them with cream cheese for breakfast, or serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Feel free to swap the walnuts for pecans or raisins. More

[Photographs: Elizabeth Barbone] As written, this recipe makes a light, vanilla-scented caked. To make a lemon chiffon cake, replace vanilla extract with two teaspoon lemon extract. For an orange chiffon cake, replace vanilla extract with one teaspoon orange oil. About... More

This cake is moist and rich, with a thick layer of chocolate icing. It's delicious at room temperature, but it's even better eaten warm—as soon as it cools a bit in the pan, ice it and serve with ice cream or whipped cream. More

Joy Wilson, author of Joy the Baker Cookbook is a single gal, and being single means lots of time spent speculating about Mr. Right. She describes her Extra Crumb Coffee Cake as "The perfect husband. It has the perfect balance of substance and sweet tenderness. The filling brings in just a bit of spice. A little romance (or chocolate) never hurt anyone either, right? The topping is full of extra heart-melting goodness." Pretty sweet, Pretty sweet, don't you think? More

Note: Don't use higher cocoa content chocolate, as it will affect texture of mousse. Popover recipe adapted from Serious Eats by Carrie Vasios (original recipe). Mousse recipe adapted form Gourmet, December 2002. About the author: María del Mar Sacasa is... More

This cake is made from 20 layers of thin, buttery crepes. Honey and vanilla bean pastry cream is a delicate, sweet touch. More

This beautiful lemon layer cake is accented with blackberry preserves, white chocolate icing, and wafer cookies. More

Just like the original, individual chocolate cakes are enrobed in marshmallow and coconut. More

Pineapple Upside Down Cake has stood the test of time for good reason: Tthe bottom cake is moist and buttery, while the top oozes with pineapple and caramel. More