• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Retro Housewife Goes Green

A retro housewife in the modern world.

  • Start Here
    • About
    • Retro Homemaking – Readers’ Favorites
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Homemaking
    • Cleaning
    • Frugal
    • Organization
    • Decorating
    • Crafting
    • Green Living
    • Holidays
  • Cooking
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Recipes
      • Appetizer
      • Breakfast
      • Main Course
      • Side Dish
      • Dessert
      • Drinks
  • Inspiration
    • Family Life
    • Marriage
    • Fashion
    • Self-Care
    • Time Management
    • Health & Fitness

Amazing Vintage Cake Recipes We Need to Bring Back

This post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.

February 6, 2020 By Lisa Sharp 5 Comments

These vintage cake recipes need to make a comeback. They are the ones that have been passed down for generations and that we remember our grandmas making.

collage of old-fashioned cake recipes

Ever since I was a little kid standing on a vintage red stool in my grandma’s kitchen helping her bake cookies from her vintage cookbook, baking has been one of my favorite things to do.

While there are a lot of great newer recipes out there I tend to be drawn to vintage recipes. There is something to be said about these recipes that have stood the test of time. Plus it’s like eating a piece of history.

While I usually made peanut butter cookies with my grandma now I bake a wide range of things, including delicious cakes. I couldn’t tell you the last time I bought a cake mix, well I guess I did to make some cake mix cookies but not a cake.

There is nothing wrong with a good cake mix, there are even some great ways to doctor them to make them extra delicious but there is something special about a made-from scratch cake.

These vintage cake recipes are just as good today as they were when they were first being made. There is a reason these have been passed down through families.

The only hard part is deciding which one you want to make first. I may have to invite people over more often so I have more excuses to bake these delicious vintage cakes. 

Vintage Cake Recipes

There is nothing wrong with a cake mix but there are some delicious from scratch vintage cake recipes we need to bring back as well.

Vintage Hot Milk Cake Recipe

Hot milk cake is a simple and delicious cake recipe that gained popularity in the 1940s. It’s a soft, sponge-like cake that pairs perfectly with fresh fruit.

Chocolate Wacky/Crazy Cake 

Photo Credit: www.cookingoncaffeine.com

Grandma’s recipe from the depression era, called “whacky”, “wacky”, or “crazy” cake because it’s made with no dairy or eggs (they were not affordable) and still turns out marvelously. It’s an intense chocolate cake that is naturally vegan, super easy to make, and will be your new go-to recipe for decadent desserts!

Strawberry Charlotte Cake

Photo Credit: www.abakingjourney.com

This Strawberry Charlotte Cake is a traditional and Classic French Cake made with Ladyfinger cookies and filled with Strawberry Cream!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Church Cake 

Photo Credit: 4sonrus.com

Cake never gets old, and chocolate cake is timeless. This Old Fashioned Chocolate Church Cake was a part of many of my memories growing up. It’s a delicious dessert, just begging to be a part of your family suppers too.

Oatmeal Cake

Photo Credit: bellyfull.net

This Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake is a perfect dessert for any time of year. Moist and delicious, topped with coconut and a pecan streusel! A classic cake that never goes out of style!

Old-Fashioned Blueberry Buckle Cake 

Photo Credit: glitterinc.com

You’ll fall instantly in love with this very old, very amazing, recipe from a great grandmother’s recipe book: blueberry buckle (basically a very fluffy blueberry crumb cake that you’ll be making again and again.)

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes

Photo Credit: www.beyondthechickencoop.com

Chocolate-Mayonnaise cake was popular during the depression. This delicious cake is very moist and chocolaty. The recipe can be made into a cake or cupcakes.

French Butter Cake with Old Fashioned Fudge Frosting 

Photo Credit: www.cookingwithcarlee.com

French vanilla butter cake wrapped with an old fashioned fudge frosting is the perfect birthday cake. This recipe is straight from my great-grandma's recipe box and is a timeless classic recipe.

Great-Great-Grandma's Dutch Apple Cake

Photo Credit: www.cookingwithcarlee.com

This dutch apple cake recipe has been in my family for generations. It is a simple cake topped with apples and plenty of golden topping.

Vintage Cherry Chip Layer Cake

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

This homemade Vintage Cherry Chip Layer Cake made from scratch is bursting with sweet cherry flavor and tinted the perfect shade of pink from nothing other than the maraschino cherry juice from the jar! Chopped up maraschino cherries are folded into the batter to make sure the cherry flavor really comes through in this super fun, moist throwback cake that is perfect for almost any celebration!

Icebox Cake with Strawberries and Blueberries

Photo Credit: instantveg.com

A classic American dessert, an icebox cake is light and refreshing with fresh blueberries, strawberries, and chilly whipped cream. Make it plant-based with vegan whipped cream and graham crackers.

Minnie Lee Croley's Sour Cream Pound Cake

Photo Credit: www.gritsandpinecones.com

Remember the delicious old-fashioned pound cakes your grandmother used to make from scratch? Like Minnie Lee Croley’s Sour Cream Pound Cake, they were glorious with a thick, crunchy crust and a scrumptious, dense and moist interior. After just one bite, this homemade Southern Sour Cream Pound Cake will remind you of the timeless classic pound cakes of your youth.

Old Fashioned Cranberry Salad Icebox Cake

Photo Credit: www.majhofftakesawife.com

Take a spin on the old-fashioned icebox cakes by combining it with another old fashioned favorite- cranberry fluff! Cranberry fluff salad is chocked full of marshmallows, whipping cream, cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, and cream cheese.

Toasted Butter Pecan Cake Recipe 

Photo Credit: thriftyjinxy.com

This Toasted Butter Pecan Cake Recipe is filled with nuts, cream cheese, and yummy goodness. It's just like Grandma's!

Victoria Sandwich

Photo Credit: www.fabfood4all.co.uk

Victoria Sandwich – a classic British cake sandwiched with my homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream. It’s also known as a Victoria Sponge Cake!

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake with Dark Chocolate Frosting

Photo Credit: marginmakingmom.com

This old fashioned peanut butter cake with chocolate frosting was adapted from a recipe my husband’s grandmother submitted in an old church cookbook! It’s a delicious yet simple treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Made From Scratch Do Nothing Cake Recipe

Photo Credit: homeinthefingerlakes.com

The name of this cake is a little odd, but rest assured, this is a cake made from scratch. It seems to date back to the 1940s when there were few shortcuts such as prepackaged mixes to help out when baking a cake.

Lazy Daisy Cake (1940s Recipe)

Photo Credit: thevintagehousewife.me

This dense yet fluffy vanilla cake, is great on its own, in fact, it also goes by the name hot milk cake which is good in its own right, but when topped with the coconut-butter-brown sugar topping, there is just something so undeniably good about this cake, it is easy to see why this recipe has stood the test of time

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Photo Credit: onlycrumbsremain.co.uk

This easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe makes a delicious dessert served warm with cream or custard. Or serve a slice cold with morning coffee or afternoon tea. Either way, this classic dessert cake is a doddle to make and a fabulous treat.

Old-fashioned Sour Cream Chocolate Fudge Cake

Photo Credit: foodmeanderings.com

This Old Fashioned Sour Cream Chocolate Cake is an easy, light and delicious homemade chocolate cake! It's perfect for any celebration, birthdays, Black Forest Cake or cupcakes and pairs well with any frosting!

Kentucky Butter Bundt Cake 

Photo Credit: kimandkalee.com

This moist and delicious Kentucky Butter Cake is infused with a sweet butter and vanilla sauce while it's still warm. It's perfect on its own or served with ice cream or fresh fruit. The best part? It's even better on the 2nd day!

Skillet Apple Fritter Cake

Photo Credit: successfulhomemakers.com

This Skillet Apple Fritter Cake is beyond compare! It's equal parts cake, pie, and doughnut all rolled into one easy-to-prepare dessert.

Vintage-Inspired Baking Supplies

If you are going to bake a vintage cake you need vintage-inspired baking supplies. It just really makes the whole experience more fun.


You can find, even more, great vintage-inspired home items in my Amazon shop. 

Get a Free Vintage Desserts Cookbook

Want even more vintage dessert recipes? You can get a free vintage desserts cookbook with some of my favorite vintage recipes. Just fill out the form below and the digital cookbook will be sent to your inbox.

More Vintage Recipes

vintage brunch recipes collage with orange salad, pancakes, and an egg casserole

The Best Vintage Brunch Recipes You Need to Try

collage of three vintage ground beef recipes

13 Vintage Ground Beef Recipes

vintage Better Homes & Garden cookbook with peanut butter cookies on a plate

The Best Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

9 Depression Era Recipes You Need to Try

9 Depression Era Recipes You Need to Try

Sharing is caring!

Filed Under: Recipes, Cooking, Dessert Tagged With: Vintage Recipe

Previous Post: « How to Plan Great Date Nights and Improve Your Marriage
Next Post: Things You Should Never Put in the Dishwasher »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sylvie says

    February 6, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    So many delicious recipes, and you are so right – we should DEFINITELY bring them back!

    Reply
  2. Chrysa says

    February 6, 2020 at 10:52 pm

    These all look fabulous! Thanks for including my Toasted Butter Pecan Cake recipe!

    Reply
  3. giulia lombardo says

    February 7, 2020 at 3:24 am

    all cakes seem absolutely delicious!!!

    Reply
  4. Terri Gilson says

    February 7, 2020 at 8:09 am

    Wow – there are some cakes here that I haven’t heard of – can’t wait to try them! Thanks for sharing my Old Fashioned Sour Cream Chocolate Fudge cake!

    Reply
  5. Hollis Ramsey says

    May 23, 2021 at 8:24 am

    These recipes haven’t really gone anywhere. They’re in my kitchen, along with my beloved Nesselrode Pie.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

photo of Lisa

Welcome to my blog! My name is Lisa and I'm the Retro Housewife trying to live a greener life. I share my love of all things vintage, homemaking and green living here on the blog. To read more, click here.

mail button Facebook button Instagram button Pinterest button Twitter button

Featured Posts

white laundry on clothesline

How to Fix Problems When Line-Drying Clothes

natural makeup in makeup bag

Honest Juice Beauty Makeup Review

black and white photo of retro housewife standing at vintage stove

Retro Housewife Must-Haves

pink and white towels on clothesline

Eco-Friendly Housewife Must-Haves

woman wearing pink cleaning gloves steam cleaning a mattress

How to Clean a Mattress

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · Niche Theme

Copyright © 2023 · Retro Housewife Goes Green