January: Decadent German Chocolate Cake
What better way to start off the year than with a delicious chocolate cake? It’s rich and dark, making it quite the decadent option. Try adding layers, making it vegan or gluten free, or top with cherries for some fun twists.
February: French Crepe Cake (Mille)
Crepes are light and airy, layering them into a cake with frosting takes time but is worth the effort. (The cake is called the “thousand layers cake” for a reason) You can make it with lots of different flavors, from the traditional French crepe and creme, chocolate and hazelnut, or try this matcha crepe cake recipe.
March: German Apple Cake (apfelkuchen)
This apple cake is also great in the fall, but I think it’s also perfect for rainy March mornings if you want something sweet for breakfast to go with your morning cup of coffee or tea.
April: Carrot Cake
Easter is near and carrots are here! There are many takes on this classic, from raw vegan carrot cake to carrot cake cheesecake and gluten free alternatives.
May: Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberries just remind me of summer. Strawberries with shortcake, cheesecake, and angel food cake are all wonderful to serve in may as summer beckons. Try making your own whipped cream as well for a special touch! You can also make vegan whipped cream.
June: Japanese Mochi
A rice cake with a gelatinous outside and soft exterior, this cake comes in all sorts of flavors. You can freeze them or fill them with ice cream for a cool summer treat. Try making your own with this DIY Mochi recipe. Get creative with the fillings!
July: Pavlova with fresh berries and cream
Another berry-filled delight, try making pavlova, a light airy meringue, and top with whatever fruit you desire. Some of my favorite combos are peaches, raspberries, and blueberries with whipped cream.
August: Harissa Cake
A semolina based cake from the Middle East, this dessert is often soaked with honey and citrus. Add coconut and nuts for an addictive dessert! (Just be sure to have napkins handy, this cake can get a little sticky)
September: Citrus, Date, and Almond M’hencha
An unexpected Moroccan cake also known as ‘snake cake’ is a filo-filled wonder of a cake. Definitely try this recipe using dates, citrus, and honey syrup!
October: Coffee Cake
As the months get colder, warm up in the mornings with a slice of coffee cake and cup of your favorite hot drink. Full of cinnamon and topped with cinnamon sugar or cream cheese frosting, this cake is the cinnamon roll’s cool cousin.
November: Chai Cheesecake
You can do this with so many flavors! Chai, caramel apple, pumpkin, chocolate, strawberry, blueberry lemon, the list goes on….get creative! I love making cheesecakes with graham cracker crusts instead of pie crust. Cheesecake can also be make vegan and it’s really easy to make gluten free.
December: Yule Log (Buche de Noel)
A sponge cake filled with frosting is rolled and then decorated to look like a tree branch or log. A Swiss and northern-european classic at Christmas time, this cake is the perfect centerpiece for any table during the holidays!