Holidays

23 Crowd-Pleasing Labor Day Cake Ideas for Your Party

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Instacart

Last Updated: Aug 8, 2023

From the super simple sheet cake to an elaborate cake that looks like an American flag when sliced, cakes come in many forms. Choose a type that works best with your Labor Day event and serve it with various ice creams and fresh fruits. No time to bake? Your local grocery store bakery has you covered!

Cakes with fruit

These are nice and light and perfect for an end-of-summer gathering. Serve with some ice tea, lemonade, or coffee for a great end to lunch or as an afternoon snack.

1. Raspberry lemon cake

Lemon cake frosted with yellow sugar icing and red raspberries, dressed with lemon slices on the side on a white platter

A fresh and tangy dessert for your outing, raspberry lemon cake utilizes one of the summer’s most delightful fruits: raspberries!

2. Brown sugar peach cake

Brown sugar peach cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Familiar, down earth, and sweet, this is the perfect finale for your outdoor meal.

3. Orange creamsicle cake

A delightful blend of citrus and cream, orange creamsicle cake is sure to be a fruity, fluffy favorite.

4. Strawberry Swiss cake roll

Use some of nature’s sweetest summer berries to make a strawberry Swiss cake roll. This combination of fruity cream and cake will not last long at your Labor Day celebration!

5. Blueberry coffee cake

A high angle close up shot of a slice of freshly baked blueberry buckle.

It’s blueberry season! Blueberry coffee cake is a comfortable dessert, and there is always room for a slice or two next to your morning cup of coffee.

6. Brown sugar crumble rhubarb cake

What is a Labor Day celebration without a rhubarb dessert? Brown sugar crumble rhubarb cake is a delightful way to enjoy that sour summer fruit.

7. Tropical hummingbird cake

For an exotic taste from Jamacia, tropical hummingbird cake is a delicious and fruity treat. Find a recipe with a harmonious blend of spices to complement the banana and pineapple pieces.

8. Cherry dump cake

Cherries are a popular summer fruit. Use canned cherries to make an easy dump cake be devoured by one and all. This cake takes less than five minutes to put together, then pop it in the oven for 25 minutes.

9. Strawberry Shortcake Cake

strawberry shortcake shallow depth of view

Strawberry shortcake cake is a fruity and creamy layer cake that brings traditional dessert flavors together in one yummy dessert, easy to cut into slices and enjoy.

Cupcakes and cake pops

These are a fun alternative to a traditional cake that kids and adults alike will gobble up.

10. Confetti cake pops

A handy delight, cake pops are a fun addition to any gathering. The flavor and decorating options are endless. Choose your favorite kind or make some according to the theme of your gathering.

11. Watermelon cupcakes

Everyone loves cupcakes, and what says Labor Day Holiday better than watermelon? These pink and green cakes will be quickly grabbed and gobbled.

12. Bakery cupcakes

Hand packing many kinds of cupcakes

There’s always that one bakery that makes them just a little bit better than Grandma’s. Go ahead, save yourself some time and buy cupcakes from the bakery. Serve them on a pretty platter, and no one will know they’re not homemade. Or keep them in the containers; there’s no shame in that!

Cakes for chocoholics

Unless you downright dislike chocolate, you can never go wrong with chocolate. Warning: if you know your guest are chocoholics, make a couple of these. And don’t expect there to be any leftovers!

14. S’mores cake

Here’s a way to get that summertime campfire feeling without the campfire. S’mores cake has the same gooey crunch that is sure to stir up sweet childhood memories and create new ones.

15. Chocolate zucchini cake

An extreme close up shot of a zucchini chocolate bundt cake glazed with ganache.

A delicious way to sneak some vegetables into a celebration, zucchini cake will have your party guests none the wiser about enjoying some extra vitamins and minerals as they indulge.

16. Mint chocolate chip cake

Mnt chocolate chip cake is a delightful combination of rich chocolate cake and refreshing mint icing. These opposite delights will come together harmoniously in your mouth with every bite.

17. Ombre chocolate layer cake

For a fun multi-shade cake, give an ombre chocolate layer cake a try. Adjust the amount of cocoa powder for each layer and enjoy this good-looking and good-tasting treat.

18. Better than cake

We kept the name PG-friendly, but this combination of chocolate, caramel, and cream just can’t be beaten unless you don’t have a sweet tooth! Use the end of a round wooden spatula to poke holes in the top of a baked chocolate cake. Pour one can of sweetened condensed milk over the top, follow with a jar of caramel sundae sauce. Top with a large container of whipped topping and sprinkle on a bag of crushed toffee bits, and you’ve got a showstopper.

Delicious cakes

Despite not fitting into other categories, these are equally stunning and downright delicious. Expect to get compliments and point your guests to the recipe.

19. Jello poke cake

A customizable dessert, Jello poke cake is the perfect dessert for your outdoor meal. Try more than one color (flavor) combination to make a delicious and colorful confection! Top with whipped cream and some fresh fruit, and you’re set.

20. Italian cream cake

Bring a little European flavor to your party with an Italian cream cake. Top it with cream cheese frosting, and don’t forget to top with nuts.

21. Pistachio pudding cake

Chocolate tart made of loose dough on a wooden table.

Another green-colored confection, pistachio pudding cake, is sure to bring out the oohs and ahhs. This cool and creamy dessert is sure to be the talk of the dinner table.

22. Honey lavender pound cake

Something a bit less conventional is a honey lavender pound cake. Enjoy the uniquely sweet and flowery flavors and share this cake with your family and friends.

23. Dr. Pepper cake

Can a refreshing soda be incorporated into a delicious cake? Of course! Dr. Pepper cake is sure to refresh and please. Be sure to bring one to your next Labor Day gathering.

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