When the weather outside warms up, but you still have a sweet tooth… well, don’t count cake out! While you may not be feasting on a gooey, warm Devil Food cake there are plenty of other options that are a bit lighter. Light, sweet, and delicious, here are some excellent recipes for your next summer bash!
1. Sangria Cake
Sangria cakes combine the flavor of wine with a sweet cake and fruit. Chances are you already know that sangria is one of the best ways to beat the heat, but adding it to a decadent cake is a fabulous way to enjoy yourself.
Of course, it’s hard to call a sangria cake anything more than a theme. They can be made in a huge variety of different ways, all leading to delicious but unique end results.
Of course, the best way to find out is to get some yourself. Here’s a great, summer-themed recipe that’s sure to impress.
2. Strawberry Lemon Cake
For something a little closer to home, try combining the fresh and cooling tastes of lemon and strawberry. For many people, strawberry lemonade is a treat to look forward to. For the rest of us, there’s a strawberry lemon cake.
Combining these fruity ingredients offers an excellent afternoon snack as the warm months roll on. The ingredients are also readily available, so there’s no special planning ahead.
A light and easy way to get your cake fix during the summer? Yes, please. If you think you’re up to a lighter challenge, try it out.
3. Citrus Coffee Cake
Citrus is an excellent summer taste and combining it with a light coffee cake might be just what you’re looking for. And hey, they always make for great gift baskets as well!
There are quite a few ways to do it. Some people opt to add berries to the cake as well, creating a pleasing mixture of great summer tastes during the meal.
That said, for simplicity nothing beats a triple citrus cake for keeping a pure summer smorgasbord on the table!
4. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple upside-down cake is an American classic. It’s long been one of the best ways for a family to cool off during a summer picnic, and who doesn’t love a bit of tradition?
There are a number of preparations. Some make a lighter, round cake while others prefer something a bit heavier that lets the fruit’s cooling elements speak for themselves.
The recipes are everywhere, it’s hard to pass up an Americana cookbook that lacks one. Simple is often the best, however, and if that’s your bag then you’re covered.
5. Coconut Cake
If fruits don’t appeal to your baker’s sensibilities, you’re still not out of luck! Coconut cakes are light, tasty, and help to work against the summer’s oppressive sun.
The biggest hang-up for most people creating a coconut cake is keeping it moist enough to be refreshing. Most are relatively heavy cakes in the first place so careful preparation is the distinguishing factor between a good cake and a great cake.
It’s just another place that it pays to learn from experience. Here’s a great way to put a moist coconut cake on the table.
6. Key Lime Pound Cake
Key lime pie is a favorite, but you can also work these delicious ingredients into a summer cake by opting to create a key lime pound cake. Unlike many of the recipes on this list, it’s a bit newer of innovation but the lack of tradition makes it no less amazing.
Of course, you can also size them down to Bundt cakes if you’re not looking to serve the whole neighborhood. It may be better to prepare for that eventuality, however, if you let the secret out.
The only thing missing is a bit of time, a few key ingredients, and a recipe, what are you waiting for?
7. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake
Ice cream cakes are an amazing summer treat as long as you can store them without incident. A bit of melting can make the whole thing go awry after all.
If you’ve got it? Why not try it with a cool mint blast. Mint chocolate chip ice cream is already an amazing summer treat, combining the coldness of your ice cream with a menthol sensation on the tongue.
It also appeals to those of us who just want to store buy our ingredients. Why not try a simple recipe out and see if it’s not your new favorite cake to beat the heat?
Sweet, but Cool!
While we often associate cakes with warm weather, there are many options out there to help with the summer heat. Give some of the above a shot. Whether it’s refreshing citrus, a sweet strawberry, or just a delicious mouthful of ice cream… well, there’s definitely something for every baker’s summers!
