7 Elegant Layer Cakes That Deserve a Moment

Quick Summary

These 7 elegant cake recipes combine fresh fruit, indulgent cream, and nostalgic favorites into rich, globally inspired desserts. From the buttery layers of peach cobbler cake to the creamy strawberry chantilly, each cake features real ingredients, simple techniques, and flavors that feel both homemade and luxurious. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just an elevated weekend bake.

1. The Best Strawberry Cake Recipe

Fresh strawberries and real cream make this cake irresistibly soft and full of flavor.
This classic strawberry cake delivers a tender crumb and true berry flavor thanks to fresh purée in the batter and frosting.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (room temp)
  • 1¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup fresh strawberry purée

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup strawberry purée
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch pans.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.
  3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
  4. Mix in sour cream, buttermilk, vanilla, and purée.
  5. Fold in dry ingredients and pour into pans.
  6. Bake 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
  7. For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add sugar, purée, and salt.
  8. Frost and chill before serving.

2. Lemon Raspberry Cake Recipe

This vibrant cake layers tart lemon with sweet raspberries for a fresh, light finish.
Moist lemon cake and raspberry filling are the perfect match for summer tables and spring celebrations.

Ingredients:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • ⅓ cup lemon juice
  • ¾ cup buttermilk

For the raspberry filling:

  • 2 cups fresh raspberries
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 3½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, zest, and lemon juice.
  3. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk.
  4. Bake in two 8-inch pans for 30–35 minutes.
  5. Simmer filling until thick. Cool.
  6. Make frosting by beating all ingredients until smooth.
  7. Assemble: layer cake with raspberry filling and lemon buttercream.

3. Neapolitan Cake Recipe

Neapolitan cake brings chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers into one colorful dessert.
This tri-flavored showstopper is perfect for birthdays or when you can’t decide on just one cake.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ cup strawberry purée
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder

For the frosting:

  • 1½ cups butter
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch pans.
  2. Prepare batter, then divide into three parts.
  3. Add purée to one, cocoa to another, and leave one vanilla.
  4. Bake each layer for 25–28 minutes. Cool.
  5. Make buttercream and layer the cakes in strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate order.

4. Strawberry Chantilly Cake Recipe

Whipped cream, fresh berries, and light sponge make this cake incredibly airy and elegant.
Chantilly-style cakes are a favorite in French-inspired bakeries, thanks to their simplicity and creaminess.

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ cup melted butter

For Chantilly cream:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup mascarpone
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Topping:

  • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 8-inch pans.
  2. Whip eggs and sugar until thick. Fold in vanilla, dry ingredients, and butter.
  3. Bake 20–25 minutes. Cool completely.
  4. Whip cream, mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy.
  5. Layer with cream and fresh berries. Chill before serving.

5. Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Recipe

This cheesecake takes inspiration from ice cream bars with a buttery cookie crunch topping.
Creamy vanilla cheesecake meets strawberry shortcake vibes in every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Golden Oreos, crushed
  • 6 tbsp melted butter
  • 3 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup strawberry purée

Crunch Topping:

  • 1 cup crushed Golden Oreos
  • ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberries
  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press into a springform pan.
  3. Beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, eggs, vanilla. Pour half into crust.
  4. Swirl in strawberry purée. Add remaining batter.
  5. Bake 55–60 minutes. Cool completely, then chill 4 hours.
  6. Pulse topping ingredients and sprinkle on top before serving.

6. White Chocolate Raspberry Cake Recipe

White chocolate buttercream and tart raspberry filling make this cake silky and rich.
It’s perfect for elegant dinners and bridal showers with its soft texture and refined flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 2½ cups cake flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1¾ cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • ¾ cup milk

Raspberry filling:

  • 1½ cups raspberries
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

White chocolate frosting:

  • 1½ cups butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 6 oz melted white chocolate
  • 2 tbsp milk

Instructions:

  1. Bake cake layers at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes.
  2. Simmer filling until thickened. Cool.
  3. Make frosting by beating butter, sugar, and melted chocolate until smooth.
  4. Assemble layers with raspberry filling and white chocolate frosting.

7. Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe

Warm spices and juicy peaches make this cobbler-inspired cake a true Southern delight.
This one combines brown sugar cake layers, cinnamon, and a rich peach filling.

Ingredients:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Peach filling:

  • 2½ cups diced peaches (fresh or frozen)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

Cream cheese frosting:

  • 1 cup cream cheese
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Bake cake layers at 350°F (175°C).
  2. Simmer peaches with sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cool.
  3. Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Assemble cake with peach filling and creamy frosting.