Is it Cake?
These days, cakes are getting more and more inventive. With so many different cultures and regions trading their ingredients, it’s no surprise that cakes are getting creative. With that in mind, here are 20 delicious cake combinations to consider next time you’re in the kitchen.
1. Molasses Gingerbread Cake
A strange combination that makes one of the best cakes for any gingerbread lover. The richness from the molasses paired with the earthiness and shrillness of ginger gives an incredible caramel-like flavor to the cake. The thing that ties it all together is the cream cheese frosting on top, which perfectly combines and mellows out the aggressive flavors of both of these ingredients.
2. Chocolate-Mashed Potato Cake
Potatoes can be used in so many different ways, and one of them is as a cake ingredient. Pairing chocolate with mashed potatoes eliminates some of the fat from the chocolate and adds a beautiful and smooth texture to the cake. Just make sure not to salt your mashed potatoes for this recipe.
3. Tomato Soup Cake
It makes perfect sense from a baking perspective to use tomato soup to make a cake. Tomatoes are naturally sugary and sweet, and they are a great binder for your dry ingredients. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it every single day.
4. Cranberry Ginger Upside-Down Cake
Upside-down cakes are fun to make and even more fun to eat. This one is a combination of some interesting ingredients that work in perfect harmony when baked into a cake. The bold flavors of ginger perfectly complement the tartness of the cranberries, making you want to savor every bite.
5. Parsley Cake
It might seem incredibly unconventional, but everyone who has tried this cake had their mind blown. The cake turns vibrantly green from the parsley, making it interesting both visually and when it comes to the flavor. Topping your slice of cake with some vanilla ice cream and lemon zest makes for a perfect summer combination.
6. Chocolate-Beet Cake
Chocolate is an incredibly rich ingredient, and it works surprisingly well when paired with beets. The end result is a deep pink-colored, earthy and sweet, moist cake that is sure to make your mouth water for more. Getting addicted to this cake is very easy, so be careful not to eat the whole thing in one sitting.
7. Orange Rice Cake
What makes this cake unique is the utilization of actual rice. You'll essentially blend cooked rice alongside lemon and vanilla before throwing in stiffened egg whites. To wrap it up, you finish with orange zest for a creamy and unique cake.
8. Cajun Cake
Cajun doesn’t seem like it belongs in any aspect of a cake, but it works so incredibly well. The cajun spices up the cake in a mild, yet welcoming way, resembling cinnamon in some ways. A drizzle of caramel between layers helps this cake stay moist and counters the spice and earthiness of cajun with sweetness.
9. Lavender Lemon Cake
Lemon cake is amazing as it is, but adding this one special ingredient can make it the best lemon cake you’ve ever had. Lavender is incredibly enriching without being too overpowering. It’s a perfect combination of ingredients for a lovely summer day.
10. Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake
While this seems like a prank, it’s far from it. The richness and sweetness of the chocolate completely negates sauerkraut’s flavor, and what you get in return is a wonderful texture and enhanced flavor. The sauerkraut almost works as MSG for the chocolate, making the rich chocolate flavor linger in your mouth long after you’ve finished your slice.
Now that we have talked about some strange combinations, here are 10 tried-and-true pairings that always work.
1. Red Velvet Cake
Who can say no to a delightful slice of red velvet cake? It’s a southern staple that is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. The gorgeous layers of the bright red cake separated by the deliciously sweet white frosting are a match made in heaven.
amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash
2. Spiced Devil’s Food Cake
You can never go wrong with spiced devil’s food cake. It is a classic for a reason, and that reason is the absolute deliciousness in every single bite. If you are craving a chocolate dessert, spiced devil’s food cake really hits all the right spots.
Maggio7 from Troy, MI, US on Wikimedia
3. Banana Cake
Banana cake is one of the most refreshing and delightful things you will ever eat. The moist sponge cake paired with the light and fresh flavor of bananas, topped with a light and airy cream cheese frosting will make your whole day better. A light sprinkle of vanilla sugar and a couple of banana slices on top make your eyes enjoy it just as much as your taste buds will.
4. Chocolate Cake
The absolute classic and a staple of all cakes, chocolate cake is something you can never go wrong with. From the richness of the frosting to the moist and delicious layers of cake, there is little left to be said about this gem. Chocolate cake will never go out of style, and for a good and delicious reason.
5. Angel Food Cake
Light, fluffy, sweet, and delicious, angel food cake is a crowd-pleaser and a dessert suitable for just about any occasion. From the gorgeous texture to the amazing flavor, this cake doesn’t lack in any way. Serving it with a bit of whipped cream and some mixed berries makes it simply perfect.
6. Coconut Chiffon Cake
This cake is one of the best things in the world for any coconut lover. From airy layered sponge cake to the creamy coconut-ginger flavored filling, you will have trouble stopping yourself from grabbing another slice. Adding some toasted coconut on top of each slice makes it even more visually appealing.
7. Tres Leches Cake
The classic Latin American dessert is one of the most delicious and well-known cakes. While it does require a bit of patience to make, it’s a pretty easy process with results that are worth the wait. Topping the cake with fluffy whipped cream and some fresh strawberries elevates it to the next level.
8. Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is another classic that will never go out of style. This beautifully moist and delicious cake is incredibly rich in flavor and goes well with a cup of tea. Adding some chopped pecans or walnuts on top brings a nice touch of earthy flavor and a crunch to this soft cake.
9. Lemon Drizzle Cake
Light, tangy, zesty, sweet, this cake is sure to please anyone's taste buds. The subtle lemon-flavored drizzle paired with a sugary and firm cake gives an end result that is sure to make you want to eat the whole cake in one go. There is an easy trick to make sure there’s enough cake for everyone, and it’s to simply make two of them at once.
10. Coffee Walnut Cake
A traditional moist sponge cake that makes you crave more, coffee and walnuts are a perfect combination when baked together. With both coffee and walnuts having a rich and earthy flavor, one of the most perfect things to pair this with is a light and airy cream cheese icing in between the layers. Dust the cake with some ground espresso and chopped walnuts and you’ll fall in love with it all over again.
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