31 Cakes With Fruit Fillings and Toppings for Every Occasion

From fresh berry toppings to layers of spiced apples, bake a cake that stars your favorite fruit.

vanilla sponge cake with strawberry-meringue buttercream — Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo

The natural sweetness of fresh fruit complements any kind of cake, from the fresh strawberries that top shortcakes in summer to the cinnamon-spiced apples that anchor holiday dessert tables.

But the world of fruit-topped and fruit-filled cakes has room for more than just the usual standbys. These recipes incorporate a variety of fruits, including pears, nectarines, peaches, apricots, plums, grapes, coconut, lemon, oranges, dates, and figs. Luscious marinades, syrups, and crumbles pair with light chiffons, smooth olive oil cakes, and rich chocolate layers—all accented by the sweetest and juiciest fruits Mother Nature has to offer.

Use fresh, in-season fruit for the richest and sweetest flavor.

01 of 31

Naked-Fruit Chiffon Cake

Naked-Fruit Chiffon Cake — Lennart Weibull

A light chiffon cake, delicately flavored with lemon zest, holds up against whipped cream filling, a blackberry coulis, and sliced in-season fruit—like pears, figs, plums, and grapes.

02 of 31

Berry Layer Cake

overhead of purple frosted berry layer cake — Mike Krautter

Three layers of blueberry cake are topped with raspberry-jam-flavored frosting and an array of fresh berries for a showstopping cake that makes the most of summer's best fruits.

03 of 31

Banana Cupcakes With Honey-Cinnamon Frosting

Honey-cinnamon frosting is a sweet topper for these light banana cupcakes; sliced rounds of the fruit are a cheerful accent.

04 of 31

Apple-Cinnamon Upside-Down Cake

John Kernick

Cinnamon cake is dressed up with concentric circles of apple slices for a surprisingly simple dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

05 of 31

Warm Almond-Cherry Cake

Serve up this sweet cherry cake in any season by using frozen berries instead of fresh—or substitute blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to customize the recipe to your taste.

06 of 31

Lemon Snack Cake With Raspberry-Cream Cheese Frosting

lemon snack cake with raspberry cream cheese frosting — Chris Simpson

A single-layer lemon cake is easy enough to whip up for a last-minute dessert or after school snack, while the raspberry frosting and fresh fruit topping make this one pretty enough for a dinner party.

07 of 31

Next-Level Plum Upside-Down Cake

plum cake with knife — Lennart Weibull

Adding buttermilk to this recipe keeps the cake moist and flavorful. The intricate, shingled layout of the plums appears after turning the cake out of the pan.

08 of 31

Apple Layer Cake with Cream-Cheese Frosting

three layer apple cake on cake stand — Mike Krautter

Cinnamon and ginger add a savory autumn spice to this three-layer apple cake, while the cream cheese frosting (and a few carefully place apple chips) provide a balanced sweetness.

09 of 31

Cherry Sheet Cake

Cherry Sheet Cake

This quick sheet cake takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Stud the top with thawed frozen cherries and dust with powdered sugar for a dessert that looks like it took all day.

10 of 31

Bourbon-and-Brown-Sugar Cake with Berries

bourbon and brown-sugar cake with berries — Kate Mathis

While bourbon and brown sugar add depth and sweetness to this cake, it's the topping of coarse sugar—which crisps and caramelizes during cooking—that makes this muffin-inspired cake a favorite.

11 of 31

Vanilla Sponge Cake With Strawberry-Meringue Buttercream

Strawberrt cake on pink cake stand — Ngoc Minh Ngo

This three-layer chiffon cake calls for 3 pounds of strawberries: they're set into frosting between the layers, pureed into the whipped frosting, and dusted with sugar for a pretty presentation.

12 of 31

Fig-and-Plum Cake

fig-and-plum cake served in a white dish — Justin Walker

Allow in-season plums and figs to caramelize on top of this almond-cream-filled frangipane cake. The butter-based crust is a decadent finishing touch.

13 of 31

Strawberry Cake

This light, vanilla-scented cake is studded with fresh strawberries, but works just as beautifully with other fruits (think raspberries or nectarines). Serve it with ice cream for dessert, or treat yourself to a slice alongside coffee or tea for breakfast.

14 of 31

Baltimore Peach Cake

Yossy Arefi

Juicy slices of peach are arranged atop a yeasted cake batter and baked for this simple yet lovely dessert.

15 of 31

Chocolate-Raspberry Cake

Con Poulos

Most fruits taste better when paired with rich chocolate, and this chocolate cake, baked with raspberry liqueur and layered with raspberry filling, is proof.

16 of 31

Strawberry Biscuit Sheet Cake

Strawberry biscuit sheet cake — Alpha Smoot

Biscuits are a less-common fixture on the dessert table, but in this nod to strawberry shortcake, they take center stage, providing a delicious cushion for berries and cream.

17 of 31

Apple-Honey Upside-Down Cake

Apple Honey Upside-Down cake — Johnny Miller

This pretty cake starts with a caramel sauce. Arrange layers of apples over the caramel, then spread the cake batter on top. After the cake comes out of the oven, you invert it, so the caramel-drenched apples are on display.

18 of 31

Old-Fashioned Berry Shortcake

A berry shortcake is a hit at any party in any season. This twist on traditional strawberry-only versions calls for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

19 of 31

Nectarine Clafoutis

nectarine clafoutis martha bakes — Mike Krautter

A shallow clafoutis—a cross between a pancake and a custard-based dessert—can be served warm from the oven or at room temperature. Sliced nectarines add a sunny finish on top.

20 of 31

Apple-Pie Cake

apple pie cake on a plate — Sonia Bozzo

Densely stacked apple slices in a homemade crumb crust make this autumn dessert a cross between a thick apple pie and a moist, cinnamon-flavored cake.

21 of 31

Coconut-Pineapple Loaf Cake

This tropical cake, made with shredded coconut and pineapple chunks, comes together easily and quickly in a loaf pan—so it's perfect for a last-minute treat or taking to a potluck.

22 of 31

Triple-Citrus Bundt Cake

Citrus Bundt Cake EDFSC

Lemons and oranges appear multiple times in this bright cake (three times, to be exact). They're incorporated into the cake batter, the glaze, and the garnish.

23 of 31

Tutti-Frutti Pound Cake

Cherry Pound Cake — Johnny Miller

This pound cake is extra, and we're here for it. It's a cream cheese pound cake, with three gorgeous layers of mousse that's flavored with peaches and cherries for a fruity delight.

24 of 31

Tropical-Fruit Crepe Cake

Tropical-Fruit CrÃªpe Cake — Johnny Miller

Pineapple and coconut are a combination inspired by the iconic piña colada—and it turns out they're delicious additions to a stack of crêpes layered with pastry cream, too.

25 of 31

Banana Cake with Cream-Cheese Frosting

banana cake sliced on a table with a pink table cloth — Bryan Gardner

We're used to pairing cream cheese frosting with carrot cake, yet it's just as delicious with banana cake. Grated dark chocolate takes it to a new level.

26 of 31

Coconut Cake With Berries and Cream

Johnny Miller

This twist on traditional tres leches cake swaps in coconut milk for the more typical evaporated milk. Serve with fresh raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, and homemade whipped cream.

27 of 31

Lemon-Fig Cake

If you prefer sweets that aren't too sweet, this olive oil cake with lemon zest and dried figs is the ideal combination of refreshing—not cloying—flavors.

28 of 31

Apple-Blackberry Cake

Versatile apples and blackberries top this easy-to-prepare cake, while a brown-sugar-and-cinnamon crumble adds a crisp sweetness.

29 of 31

Pressure-Cooker Raspberry Upside-Down Cake

raspberry upside down cake — Marcus Nilsson

Let your Instant Pot turn out this vibrant, raspberry-topped cake in just half an hour. While it's cooking, whip up fresh cream to serve alongside.

30 of 31

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Cinnamon and allspice adds a fall flavor to this cake, while cranberries and sugar form a rich syrup that makes this cake a great one for holiday festivities.

31 of 31

Pear Upside-Down Cake

Pear upsidedown cake on a white plate surrounded by glassware and a napkin — Jason Donnelly

Our pear upside-down cake is a mouthwatering fall dessert that is guaranteed to wow. It features a layer of caramelized, buttery pears on top of an unbelievably tender cake.

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