DessertBakingMake-aheadFreezer-friendlyBrunchCheeseKid-friendlyDairy-FreeHow ToCookieDrinkBreakfastVegetarianFruitQuick and Easy

Ideas for Summer Birthdays

  • 20 min
    Happy 4th of July! This layer cake is easy to assemble and will make the day feel extra-special. The Swiss meringue frosting also holds up exceptionally well on a hot day.
  • A child holds a chocolate graham cracker smore during a backyard Smores Party.

    Looking for a fun, family-friendly thing to do—at home—this summer? Try a backyard s'mores party! We've got tips for how to make it delicious and (relatively) mess-free!
  • Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

    40 min
    Old-fashioned Strawberry Shortcake! Fresh strawberries, sliced and macerated in sugar, spooned over freshly baked biscuits, topped with whipped cream and you have a delicious homemade strawberry shortcake.
  • Ice Cream Cake with Fudge Sauce

    6 hrs, 55 min
    A birthday party isn’t a birthday party without cake and ice cream. Combine those festive favorites to make a luscious brownie ice cream cake, dripping in chocolate fudge sauce. Put your feet up. You’re now the queen of cake!
  • Easy roasted strawberry topping spooned over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. The bowl is set on a plate with a spoon to the right. A second bowl and baking dish of strawberry topping for ice cream is behind.

    5 min
    Dairy-Free
    Jammy roasted strawberries burst with sweetness! Roasting them with a vanilla bean takes them to the next level. Serve over ice cream, yogurt, or stir into oatmeal. Freezes brilliantly!
  • Easy Lemon Pudding in three cups topped with berries

    2 hrs, 15 min
    Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
    This is THE EASIEST lemon pudding EVER. Just 4 ingredients. No gelatin. No eggs. Gluten-free. Great for Easter, Mother's Day, or dinner parties. If you love lemon dessert recipes, you'll love this pudding.
  • Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

    3 hrs, 5 min
    Gluten-Free
    Do you love strawberry ice cream? Like, REALLY love strawberry ice cream? Then this is the recipe for you. Fresh strawberries and velvety texture, this is the ultimate summer treat.
  • Easy S'mores Pie

    5 hrs, 16 min
    Love s'mores but don't have a campfire? Make this ooey, gooey chocolatey s'mores pie instead! It's waiting for your next summertime gathering.
  • Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert - ice cream sandwiches in a row

    35 min
    Be the hero of your backyard barbecue when you bring out a tray of homemade ice cream sandwiches. Creamy vanilla ice cream layered between thin, soft chocolate brownie “cookies” is nostalgic dessert perfection.
  • Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

    40 min
    A chocolate sheet cake the size of Texas! This thin cake is blanketed with a warm, pourable frosting and topped with pecans. It's definitely a crowd-pleaser!
  • Vanilla Vanilla Cupcakes

    30 min
    Hands up if you love VANILLA! These Double Vanilla Cupcakes are infused with velvety, sweet vanilla flavor in both the cake and the frosting. Make them for a birthday, office party, or "just because"!

What's Your Favorite Birthday Cake?

  • Whole choclate layer cake with chocolate swiss meringue buttercream swirls on top, dusted with powdered sugar against a dark background

    2 hrs, 10 min
    This rich, tender chocolate cake is easy enough to make for a casual dessert but can be a showstopper for any special event. It comes together with just one bowl, a whisk, and 30 minutes in the oven. This homemade chocolate layer cake is a chocolate lover’s dream.
  • Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe - slice of vanilla cake with white frosting and sprinkles on striped paper plate.

    45 min
    If you've been searching for the perfect, easy-to-make, but totally delicious homemade vanilla cake, this recipe is for you! It's light, fluffy, and works great for any occasion!
  • Carrot Cake

    1 hr, 15 min
    This Carrot Cake with pineapple and coconut is a family favorite, made every year for all sorts of celebrations from birthdays to Easter! Originally from the Silver Palate cookbook, we've made several changes to make it easier and tastier.
  • Perfect Cheesecake

    3 hrs
    Say hello to your new favorite cheesecake recipe! This is a classic New York cheesecake, baked in the oven. A water bath, plus lots of tips and guidance, help you make the best, silkiest, creamiest cheesecake EVER.
  • Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake

    2 hrs, 40 min
    Allergy-Friendly, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
    Have your cake and eat it too! If you need a festive cake without gluten, dairy, or eggs, this is THE cake to make. It's tender, soft, and tastes great with chocolate frosting. (And sprinkles!)
  • Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe

    1 hr, 5 min
    It's the same classic chocolate cake you love, but with more of that decadent, gooey coconut-pecan topping. Plus, it's way easier to make because you don't have all those layers to deal with. Win!
  • Pineapple Upside Down Cake

    1 hr, 35 min
    The BEST pineapple upside down cake recipe EVER! It has a caramel topping with pineapple rounds over a dense cake with almond flour.
  • Vanilla Buttermilk Layer Cake How to Make

    55 min
    Every home cook needs a good vanilla cake in their repertoire. This one is ours. It has a classic vanilla flavor with a hint of tangy buttermilk, it bakes up beautifully, and it stacks easily. It's also versatile, perfect for birthdays, fancy dinner parties, or a simple summer cookout.
  • Chocolate Cake with Sour Cream Added - slice removed

    1 hr, 15 min
    This easy chocolate sour cream cake is made with sour cream, cocoa powder, and hot coffee. It's the perfect balance of decadence and simplicity! Don't forget the chocolate frosting...
  • Coconut Cake with Lemon Curd and Vanilla Buttercream

    1 hr, 30 min
    This coconut cake is a total showstopper at any gathering. With lemon curd filling and vanilla buttercream frosting. Make-ahead options; keeps well.

All Birthday Recipes

  • Homemade blondie bars on a plate

    40 min
    These homemade blondies are rich, buttery, and chewy — the perfect treat for Game Day, birthday parties, and potlucks. They keep for several days and freeze like a dream.
  • Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe

    1 hr, 5 min
    It's the same classic chocolate cake you love, but with more of that decadent, gooey coconut-pecan topping. Plus, it's way easier to make because you don't have all those layers to deal with. Win!
  • Finished chocolate-covered strawberries on a plate

    1 hr, 30 min
    Chocolate Covered Strawberries at home? Yes, please! This sweet treat is quite simple to make: just melt chocolate and dip. We have lots of tips to make sure your chocolate covered strawberries look just like store-bought.
  • Easy angel food cake recipe

    1 hr, 5 min
    Dairy-Free
    This slightly sweet and vanilla scented Angel Food Cake is the perfect vehicle for juicy berries, lemon curd, or luscious whipped cream!
  • Sponsored Content

    20 min
    This quick and easy-to-make chocolate French toast will turn any breakfast or brunch into a special occasion. Elevate things even further with fresh raspberries, chocolate maple syrup and a glass of real milk!
  • Perfect Cheesecake Illustration with blue ink drawn over it to make it look like it's frozen

    Cheesecake freezes beautifully, and a cheesecake in the freezer is like money in the bank. Here’s how to freeze and thaw cheesecake so dessert is ready when you are.
  • Easy roasted strawberry topping spooned over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. The bowl is set on a plate with a spoon to the right. A second bowl and baking dish of strawberry topping for ice cream is behind.

    5 min
    Dairy-Free
    Jammy roasted strawberries burst with sweetness! Roasting them with a vanilla bean takes them to the next level. Serve over ice cream, yogurt, or stir into oatmeal. Freezes brilliantly!
  • A child holds a chocolate graham cracker smore during a backyard Smores Party.

    Looking for a fun, family-friendly thing to do—at home—this summer? Try a backyard s'mores party! We've got tips for how to make it delicious and (relatively) mess-free!
  • Ice Cream Cake with Fudge Sauce

    6 hrs, 55 min
    A birthday party isn’t a birthday party without cake and ice cream. Combine those festive favorites to make a luscious brownie ice cream cake, dripping in chocolate fudge sauce. Put your feet up. You’re now the queen of cake!
  • Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with brittle sugar topping on a slate board wtih a slice cut out and fruit nearby.

    1 hr, 45 min
    Do you love crème brûlée, but you also love cheesecake? Get the best of both worlds with this luscious Crème Brûlée Cheesecake! A buttery graham cracker crust balances the light and creamy cheesecake, then it’s finished with the sweet and satisfying crack of brittle sugar.
  • Fancy French 75 cocktail with champagne gin and simple syrup ingredients

    5 min
    The lovely classic French 75 cocktail is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne. A great drink for brunch or a fancy party!
  • Close up of the best chocolate cheeescake with dripping ganache frosting on a white background.

    14 hrs
    Calling all chocolate lovers! This Triple Chocolate Cheesecake is rich, creamy, and decadent. The chocolate cookie base is the perfect crisp foundation for the luscious, creamy filling. The whole thing is topped with none other than chocolate ganache. Make this chocolate cheesecake for a rainy day or your holiday table.
  • Perfect Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream Piled into a pink bowl

    45 min
    This Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream has a silky, melt-in-your mouth texture, a balanced not-too-sweet flavor, and it pipes beautifully on cakes. You can even make it days ahead of time and refrigerate it, or freeze it for months. It’s frosting perfection.
  • Whole choclate layer cake with chocolate swiss meringue buttercream swirls on top, dusted with powdered sugar against a dark background

    2 hrs, 10 min
    This rich, tender chocolate cake is easy enough to make for a casual dessert but can be a showstopper for any special event. It comes together with just one bowl, a whisk, and 30 minutes in the oven. This homemade chocolate layer cake is a chocolate lover’s dream.