19 showstopping cake recipes

Piña colada cake

Be transported to a tropical isle with a pretty cake inspired by the flavours of a classic cocktail - white rum, coconut cream, pineapple and cherries.

Devil's food cake

Edd Kimber shares his expert tips for creating a deep, dark chocolate cake. Which glorious frosting will you choose – classic fudge or Swiss meringue?

Maltesers marble cake

Edd Kimber's impressive marble bake is topped with a malt milk chocolate glaze and Maltesers to take it to the next level.

Russian honey cake

Our impressive Russian cake recipe has a moreish burnt-honey icing. This layer cake takes a bit of effort to make but it's the perfect cake to show off to friends and family for any special occasion.

Triple chocolate caramel cake

This chocolate caramel cake is what’s known as an ‘ombre’ cake; each layer is a different shade with dark chocolate, milk chocolate and caramel flavours.

Fluffy coconut and lime cake

This indulgent coconut and lime cake hits all the afternoon tea spots. Topped with vanilla frosting and coconut flakes, it is the perfect weekend baking project.

Pistachio and chocolate stripe cake

This pistachio and chocolate stripe cake is a delicious combination of flavours and it looks fantastic. It is a little tricky, but completely worth the effort. Make sure you use pistachios with a good, strong colour.

Ice cream cake

Chocolate, strawberry and ice cream: three words we love hearing in dessert descriptions. Try this easy layer cake for the perfect dinner party dessert.

Maltesers chocolate chiffon cake

Chiffon cake is notoriously tricky, but with our recipe you can make the light, fluffy sponge in under two hours. The Maltesers give a fun twist. Thank you olive reader Sarah Howe for the recipe!

Spiced rum bamkuchen

If you love rum, spice and all things chocolatey, this cake is for you! It might take a little time to prepare, but your guests will be amazed by it. Drizzle it in white chocolate for extra indulgence.

Raspberry red velvet angel cake

Angel cake and red velvet cake: A match made in cake heaven. An easy-to-follow method means this cake can be made by everyone. Decorate with a delicious meringue frosting.

Tottenham cake

The showstopping element lies in the pretty pink icing, made with real raspberries, then scattered with desiccated coconut. As a recipe that’s ready in under an hour, it’s a great one to have on hand.

Lemon curd layer cake

A showstopping, lemony sponge cake with a delicious curd icing and beautiful edible crystallised violets and primroses.

Strawberry and pistachio cake

A lovely summer pistachio cake with strawberry icing that’s worth the extra effort. When strawberries smell good, they should be at optimum ripeness and have flavour – perfect for this cake.

White velvet snowball cake

This showstopper is an edible snowball that children and adults will love. It would make an original alternative to Christmas pudding.

Mojito cake

Our reader Joanne Middleton's mojito cake was inspired by the classic cocktail, so it's perfect for entertaining. It's soaked in a mojito-infused sugar syrup and covered with lime buttercream.

Peanut butter layer cake

This peanut butter layer cake takes a little effort but looks stunning and will satisfy the fussiest peanut butter fiends

Chocolate and burnt butterscotch layer cake

This deliciously indulgent, grown-up chocolate and burnt butterscotch cake looks really impressive and is definitely worth the effort

White chocolate Easter cake

Take your baking to the next level with this Easter-inspired white chocolate cake. We've decorated it with broken white chocolate eggs and crunchy mini eggs, but you can get creative with your favourite Easter treats.