From soft, fluffy cakes to rich, custardy pies, these desserts with buttermilk will have you reaching for that forgotten carton and making something delicious.
1/22
Buttermilk Pound Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Now that I've retired from teaching, I have more time to bake. This buttermilk pound cake is the one I make most often. It is a truly southern recipe, and one I think can't be topped—once people taste it, they won't go back to their other recipes with buttermilk. —Gracie Hanchey, De Ridder, Louisiana
2/22
Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake
From the Recipe Creator:
This scratch-made strawberry buttermilk cake is a family favorite. The recipe is over 100 years old, and I remember my grandma making it. We still carry on the family tradition by making this old-fashioned recipe each summer. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida
3/22
Mother’s Walnut Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Even though Mother baked this tall, beautiful cake often when I was growing up, it was a real treat every time. I like the walnuts in the cake and the frosting. Mother frequently used black walnuts from our trees. —Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania
4/22
Buttermilk Coconut Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My mama showed me how to make this pie about 40 years ago, just as her mama showed her how to make it. I was 6 when Mawmaw passed away, but I can still remember her cooking in the kitchen in her beautiful cotton dresses dusted with flour. I am honored to teach my daughter how to make this dessert, too. —Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama
5/22
Chocolate Mousse Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's to that chocolate fix we all need! I use cream in both the filling and glaze of this beautiful dessert. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas
6/22
Coconut Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I found this coconut cake recipe in a newspaper many years ago and modified it to suit my taste. This is my all-time favorite cake, and my family and friends absolutely love it. —Lynne Bassler, Indiana, Pennsylvania
7/22
Italian Cream Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Buttermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round. —Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri
8/22
German Chocolate Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This German chocolate cake is my husband’s favorite! Each bite has crunch from the pecans, and sweetness from coconut and chocolate. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio
9/22
Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing
From the Recipe Creator:
This fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
10/22
Red Velvet Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
It's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvets I’ve had; the icing is as light as snow. For quicker assembly, you can leave the layers untrimmed and simply frost the top and side of the cake with icing. —Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
11/22
Lemon Ricotta Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
12/22
Butterscotch Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I get lots of compliments and recipe requests whenever I make this eye-catching cake. The filling is similar to German chocolate cake. —Judy Lamon, Louisville, Tennessee
13/22
Buttermilk Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother and grandmother made this pie with buttermilk and eggs from our farm and set it on the tables at church meetings and social gatherings. I did the same, and now our children make it too! —Kate Mathews, Shreveport, Louisiana
14/22
Pink Lemonade Stand Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love a moist and creamy cake, this one’s for you. The lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy, citrusy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it extra pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
16/22
Spiced Devil's Food Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my mom's friends gave her this recipe when I was a child, and it has been a family favorite ever since. When your chocolate sweet tooth acts up, this really hits the spot! —Linda Yeamans, Ashland, Oregon
17/22
Maple Walnut Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors beloved my grandpa, who made maple syrup when I was a child. It honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
18/22
Chocolate Almond Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Fluffy white homemade frosting tops this rich chocolate almond cake. Sliced toasted almonds on top add a little crunch. —Sherri Gentry, Dallas, Oregon
19/22
Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies
From the Recipe Creator:
These pies are soft, cakey cookies studded with tart, juicy blueberries and filled with tangy cream cheese frosting. I bring them to family and school events and they are always the first thing gone! Make sure to continually scrape the side of the bowl with a spatula while mixing the batter and frosting. —Kathy Martino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
20/22
Brooklyn Blackout Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love chocolate, you will LOVE this cake. I found this recipe when looking for a special cake to make my chocolate-loving daughter-in-law's birthday. Be sure to give the pudding and the cake enough time to cool or the end results will be disappointing. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
21/22
Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I treasure my mother’s recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. —Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California
22/22
Chocolate Bundt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Our chocolate Bundt cake recipe calls for melted chocolate, baking cocoa and espresso powder in the batter to ensure each slice is rich and decadent. Make this cake for guests who are chocolate lovers—it will be a hit! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Desserts with Buttermilk FAQ
Can I make buttermilk at home for baking?
You can make buttermilk at home by combining milk with an acid, like lemon juice or a clear vinegar, and letting it sit until lightly curdled and thickened. You can also mix yogurt and milk until pourable to imitate buttermilk. These quick versions aren’t exactly the same as cultured buttermilk, but the difference won’t be noticeable in most baked goods. You may need to adjust the flour in recipes like buttermilk pancakes to achieve the right batter consistency.
What are some classic desserts made with buttermilk?
Buttermilk is a key part of many classic desserts, such as red velvet cake, old-fashioned doughnuts, Bundt cakes and tender chocolate cakes. It is also often used in quick breads and simple sheet cakes for a soft crumb that doesn’t easily dry out. While buttermilk is a background flavor and tenderizing agent in many of these recipes, some desserts, like buttermilk pie, feature it as the main ingredient.
How do I keep buttermilk desserts moist?
The best way to keep buttermilk desserts moist is to store them properly and avoid overbaking. Cool baked goods completely, then wrap them tightly or store them in airtight containers at room temperature for up to three days. Store frosted cakes or custardy desserts in the refrigerator and let them stand briefly at room temperature before serving. Set a timer and check on your recipe occasionally while it bakes for visual cues that it’s done, since ovens can perform so differently.
Up Next: Baking with Buttermilk Will Change Your Bakes for Good
