Cake Calendar: 12 Seasonal Recipes for Every Month of the Year

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Brittany Devenyi

Celebrating a birthday? Hosting the holidays? Craving a little something sweet because, quite frankly, it's been a tough Tuesday and you deserve it? Point being, never are we without reason to indulge in cake. The baked confection is the pick-me-up of all pick-me-ups that promises to deliver comfort to our taste buds no matter the occasion. In honour of National Cake Day, we've rounded up 12 much-loved seasonal recipes that you can bake every single month this year. So pull out your stand mixer – it's time to treat yourself.

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Cake Calendar: A Visual Guide

Read on to sink your teeth into each one of these beloved recipes, and learn how to bake them from scratch.
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January: Rich Beet Chocolate Cake

The first month of the year, when our cravings feel contradictory: start the New Year on a healthy note, or indulge in all things comforting to ward off the cold? This velvety rich chocolate cake, featuring <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/photos/25-beautiful-recipes-you-cant-beet/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cooked beets</a>, is an ode to both of those impulses. Because balance is key, friends. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/rich-beet-chocolate-cake/12734/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anna Olson’s Rich Beet Chocolate Cake</a>
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February: Pineapple Upside Down Cake

When you're over winter but the snow keeps falling, bring the tropics to your kitchen with this classic pineapple upside-down cake. It's super moist and flavourful, and only requires a few basic steps before popping the batter into the oven. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/the-pioneer-womans-pineapple-upside-down-cake/20650/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Pioneer Woman’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake</a>
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March: Spiced Blueberry Coffee Cake with Cornflake Crumbs

Come March, we begin to emerge from hibernation, ready to spice up our routine. This creative <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/20-best-coffee-cake-recipes-ever/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">coffee cake</a> is the baked version of that mindset. Still comforting thanks to classic spices like cinnamon and ginger, but with a fun cornflake topping that keeps things interesting. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/spiced-blueberry-coffee-cake-with-cornflake-crumbs/20003/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spiced Blueberry Coffee Cake with Cornflake Crumbs</a>
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April: Carrot and Pineapple Cake

Whether you celebrate Easter or not, carrot cake and April showers go hand in hand. For a classic recipe that will never let your taste buds down, try Ina Garten's perfectly moist version studded with raisins, walnuts and pineapple, topped with a decadent cream cheese icing. See here for more <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/crave-worthy-carrot-cake-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">crave-worthy carrot cake recipes</a>! Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/carrot-and-pineapple-cake/15427/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Barefoot Contessa's Carrot and Pineapple Cake</a>
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May: Strawberry Poke Cake

As the weather turns warm, we can practically taste the sweetness of summer. This light and fluffy buttermilk cake, infused with strawberry and topped with the fresh, seasonal berries and whipped cream, is the perfect way to welcome sunnier days ahead. Good news: we have <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/photos/strawberry-desserts-for-spring/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">50 more strawberry desserts you'll love</a>. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/strawberry-poke-cake/21460/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Strawberry Poke Cake</a>
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June: Black Forest Torte

Celebrate summer's bounty with Anna Olson's iconic black forest cake, which features delicate layers of <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/photos/fresh-cherry-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">seasonal cherries</a>. Combined with a chocolate chiffon base, whipped ganache glaze and whipped cream frosting, it's the cake of the summer that guests won't soon forget. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/anna-olsons-black-forest-torte/16635/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anna Olson's Black Forest Torte</a>
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July: Lemon and Raspberry Pound Cake

Raspberries, little summer gems, paired with the tangy taste of lemon, star in this ultra-moist pound cake by Ree Drummond. Pair with vanilla ice cream, and voila! – your new favourite al fresco dessert is served. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/lemon-and-raspberry-pound-cake-/21985/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Pioneer Woman's Lemon and Raspberry Pound Cake</a>
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August: Plum Cake Tatin

Stone fruits, like plums, apricots and peaches, are late-summer delicacies that deserve to be celebrated in all their tastiest forms. Start with Ina Garten's show-stopping pastry, where plums are caramelized in water and sugar before topping the tart and being baked to perfection. Drool. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/plum-cake-tatin/16465/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ina Garten’s Plum Cake Tatin</a>
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September: Vegan Apple Spice Cake with Maple Buttercream

'Tis the season of baking up a storm, and this heavenly apple spice dessert, frosted with maple buttercream and adorned with chopped pecans, belongs on your kitchen cake stand. Bonus: it'll fill your house with the sweet scent of cinnamon. Plus, it just so happens to be plant-based. See here for our <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/10-vegan-desserts-that-even-non-vegans-will-love/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">best-ever vegan dessert recipes</a>. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/how-to-make-vegan-apple-spice-cake-with-maple-buttercream/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Vegan Apple Spice Cake with Maple Buttercream</a>
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October: Chocolate Pumpkin Piecaken

One look at this decadent, pie-within-a-cake creation and all we want to do is grab a fork and dive right in. To make from scratch, start with pre-made pumpkin pie, and cover it in homemade chocolatey cake batter. Alas, it's way easier than it looks to bake, and just as rich and delicious. Want more? These <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/perfect-pumpkin-dessert-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">40+ pumpkin desserts</a> are here to satisfy. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/behold-the-chocolate-pumpkin-piecaken/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chocolate Pumpkin Piecaken</a>
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November: Pear Kuchen Cake

Combat the cold and warm the spirit with a slice of this perfect fall dessert, that's just sweet enough for dessert and simple enough for breakfast. The streusel topping adds texture and crunch, while the cake itself is perfectly fluffy and moist. You can't go wrong. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/pear-kuchen-cake-will-make-you-feel-warm-and-cozy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pear Kuchen Cake</a>
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December: Gingerbread Wreath Cake with Eggnog Icing

This look-at-me cake will be the star of your holiday table. The gingerbread base is made all the more lip-smacking thanks to an eggnog frosting, and the cute "wreath" piping detail is something even novice bakers can achieve with ease. For more show-stopping recipes, we have <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/holidays/photos/35-show-stopping-holiday-desserts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">70 more holiday desserts</a> that are here to impress. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/gingerbread-eggnog-wreath-cake-recipe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gingerbread Wreath Cake with Eggnog Icing</a>
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