Spring means tons of new flavors to play with when it comes to baking sweet treats for parties and get-togethers. If you’re hosting a brunch, an evening garden party, a birthday, or are just looking to lean into spring baking this year, these cakes and cupcakes are gorgeous and elegant additions to any occasion. Spring means Mother’s Day and graduations are coming up too, and these delightful floral-inspired and berry-flavored confections are perfect for celebrating.
These recipes range from easy (Lemon Pound Cake) to intermediate (Two-Tiered White Velvet Cake), so there’s something for all skill levels. From strawberries and blueberries to lemon and lime, there are tons of flavors represented here as well, with plenty of floral-inspired accents. So if you’ve got a fresh basket of berries from a U-pick farm or fresh flowers from the garden, these sweet treats are the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Three Layer Strawberry Cake
One of my favorite things about spring is strawberry season! And this three-layer strawberry cake is the perfect thing to make if you’ve got a haul from a U-pick farm. It’s based on a beloved Southern cake from Edgar's Bakery in Birmingham, AL. Fresh strawberries are pureed and go right into the cake batter. Freeze-dried strawberries take a spin in a food processor and go into the batter and the frosting as well. So there’s tons of flavor in each bite, and it’s all covered with delectable strawberry cream cheese frosting.
Get the recipe for Three Layer Strawberry Cake.
Hummingbird Bundt Cake
Originally from Jamaica, Hummingbird cakes are popular in the South and feature an interesting combination of flavors: banana, pineapple, cinnamon, and pecans. (And usually covered with cream cheese frosting.) This might sound like an odd combination if you’ve never tried it, but we can confirm that it’s a classic for a reason. The origins of the name are a little unclear, but one belief is that the cake is named after Jamaica’s national bird, a type of hummingbird. Whatever the origins are, we love this cake in the springtime for all kinds of events and occasions.
Get the recipe for Hummingbird Bundt Cake.
Buttermilk-Lime Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
What could be better than a dessert topped with buttercream florals for a spring get-together? We like these fun, lilac-colored cupcakes for how elegantly they recall spring in bloom. They’re also flavored with buttermilk and lime, which means they’re rich and bursting with flavor. Serve these at any spring party, graduation, or weekend get-together and watch eyes widen with delight when guests take a bite.
Get the recipe for Buttermilk-Lime Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting.
Lemon Pound Cake
Lemon is one of those bright and delightful spring flavors that goes with anything and is a wonderful addition to any occasion. Whether you're throwing a brunch, celebrating Mother's Day, or just looking to add a bit of sweetness to an average Wednesday, this delicious, dense, brightly flavored pound cake is the way to do it. Pro tip: Pop a slice in the microwave or toaster oven and serve with hot coffee or tea.
Get the recipe for Lemon Pound Cake.
Blueberry-Lemon Loaf Cake
This gorgeous loaf cake is great any time of the year, but we especially love it for Mother’s Day. It’s a great way to end a brunch or any spring meal, and the flowers on top take it from an everyday spring snack to a showstopping seasonal dessert. This cake is easy to assemble and cooks (and cools) largely on its own. We used edible violas, which echo the hue of the blueberries, but marigolds, lilacs, or cornflowers would also work. Search for edible flowers at your local farmers’ market!
Get the recipe for Blueberry-Lemon Loaf Cake.
Two-Tiered White Velvet Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
This two-tiered masterpiece is perfect for a graduation, Mother’s Day, and a bridal or baby shower. It features two tiers of cake that mimic the richness of a red velvet cake, but without any cocoa or red food coloring. The flower design might look intimidating, but all you need is a little bit of time and patience to create it yourself. A palette knife or offset spatula, sugar pearls, and a little bit of food coloring are all you need to cover this cake with white chocolate buttercream and delicate flowers.
Get the recipe for White Velvet Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
Coconut Cream Gingham Cake
It’s no secret that we love gingham here at Country Living, so of course we had to put it on a cake. Reminiscent of a picnic blanket, an outdoor tablecloth, or a spring dress, gingham just reminds us of spring! If you love it as much as we do, you need to give this gorgeous checkered coconut cake a try. This stunning spring treat is dressed up and ready to go to all your favorite places, whether that's a barn dance, a bridal shower, or just an extra special treat for friends. And making this eye-popping treat is easier than you think.
Get the recipe for Coconut Cream Gingham Cake.
Meyer Lemon-Blueberry Cakes
Blueberry and lemon are a match made in springtime heaven, and they’re both extra delicious in these cute mini cakes. Studded with blueberries and flavored with lemon zest, these cakes are fresh and vibrant for a spring shower, a garden party, or a brunch with friends. We serve them with tangy lemon curd for extra flavor, and you can serve it on the side or drizzle over each individual cake.
Get the recipe for Meyer Lemon-Blueberry Cakes.
Spring Daisy Lemon Layer Cake
This bright lemon cake covered in edible daisies is a delightful confection for any spring party. The cake itself is bursting with lemony flavor and covered in lemon buttercream. And yes, these cute daisies are completely edible. The flowers are made with gum paste and jelly candies. The stems and grass are made with fruit leather. You could also add a little green food coloring to shredded coconut (and mix with glove-covered hands!) to make grass as well.
Get the recipe for Spring Daisy Lemon Layer Cake.
Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream
What’s more spring than a delightful bouquet of roses? A bouquet of rose-inspired cupcakes. We know all the moms out there would love a bouquet of flowers for Mother’s Day, but baking up something homemade with love will show her just how special she is. We also love these cute cupcakes for baby or bridal showers, or any kind of garden or outdoor party.
