30 Tangy Buttermilk Cakes to Empty That Carton

These buttermilk cake recipes help you use up that carton sitting in your fridge. From coffee cakes to pound cakes, buttermilk creates tender, moist textures.

Each recipe showcases how this tangy ingredient transforms ordinary cakes into bakery-worthy treats with incredible flavor and perfect crumb.

01. Berry Buttermilk Morning Cake

This version combines fresh blueberries with tangy buttermilk and a cinnamon crumb topping. The berries burst with juice while baking.

The buttermilk creates a tender crumb that pairs perfectly with tart blueberries. A simple streusel adds sweet crunch on top.

Perfect for summer when berries are fresh and sweet. Great for breakfast gatherings or afternoon coffee breaks.

02. Basic Buttermilk Morning Cake

This straightforward recipe uses buttermilk, flour, sugar, and butter for a classic coffee cake. No fancy ingredients needed for delicious results.

The method creates a versatile base that works anytime. You can add fruit, nuts, or enjoy it plain with coffee.

This approach works great for beginners who want reliable results. Ready in under an hour with pantry staples.

03. Traditional Buttermilk Pound Cake

This old-fashioned recipe uses buttermilk, butter, and eggs for a dense, rich texture. The tangy flavor balances the sweetness perfectly.

The traditional method creates an incredibly moist cake that keeps well. Vanilla extract adds classic pound cake flavor throughout.

This version takes time but delivers bakery-quality results. Serve with ice cream or fresh berries for special occasions.

04. Classic Red Velvet Layer Cake

This Southern favorite combines buttermilk, cocoa powder, and red food coloring for the signature look. Butter frosting replaces traditional cream cheese.

The buttermilk reacts with cocoa to create the distinctive flavor and tender crumb. Light frosting lets the cake shine.

Takes more effort than simple cakes but creates stunning results. Perfect for birthdays and special celebrations.

05. One-Bowl Applesauce Spice Cake

This easy recipe uses applesauce, buttermilk, and warm spices in one mixing bowl. Minimal cleanup makes this perfect for busy days.

The applesauce keeps everything moist while spices create cozy fall flavors. Buttermilk adds tang that balances the sweetness.

Great for beginners who hate washing dishes. Ready quickly with ingredients you probably have on hand.

06. Cola Chocolate Sheet Cake

This unique recipe uses cola, buttermilk, and chocolate for a moist sheet cake. Pecan frosting adds Southern flair and crunch.

The cola creates incredible moisture and subtle flavor that enhances the chocolate. The combination sounds odd but tastes amazing.

Perfect for potlucks and large gatherings. This conversation starter always gets people asking for the secret ingredient.

07. Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese

These individual treats use buttermilk and cocoa for classic red velvet flavor. Cream cheese frosting provides the traditional tangy topping.

The cupcake format makes portion control easy and presentation beautiful. Each one gets the perfect frosting-to-cake ratio.

This method works great for parties and gifts. Easier to serve than layer cake with the same beloved flavors.

08. Traditional Italian Cream Cake

This rich recipe combines cream cheese, buttermilk, and beaten egg whites for incredible texture. Coconut and pecans add classic Italian cream flavor.

The egg whites create lightness while buttermilk adds tang. Cream cheese in both cake and frosting makes everything luxurious.

Takes more steps than simple cakes but creates restaurant-quality results. Perfect for special occasions and impressive dinner parties.

09. Moist Kentucky Butter Cake

This Southern favorite uses buttermilk and a butter glaze that soaks into the warm cake. The result is incredibly moist and flavorful.

The glaze gets poured over the hot cake, creating pockets of sweet butter throughout. This technique makes every bite perfect.

This version gets better after sitting overnight. Great for make-ahead desserts that actually improve with time.

10. Spiced Halloween Bundt Cake

This dense Bundt uses buttermilk and warm spices for fall flavor. Orange and black layers create festive Halloween colors.

The layered approach creates beautiful slices with seasonal appeal. Almond flour option makes this gluten-free without sacrificing taste.

Perfect for Halloween parties but delicious year-round. The Bundt shape makes impressive presentation with minimal decorating effort.

11. Rich Chocolate Pound Cake

This decadent version combines buttermilk with cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor. The pound cake method creates dense, fudgy texture.

Buttermilk keeps the chocolate cake moist while adding subtle tang. Powdered sugar and strawberries make elegant finishing touches.

This approach works great for chocolate lovers who want something richer than regular cake. Impressive enough for dinner parties.

12. Family Recipe Buttermilk Cake

This treasured recipe uses simple ingredients like buttermilk, flour, and vanilla for timeless flavor. Sometimes the classics work best.

The straightforward method creates reliable results every time. No fancy techniques needed for this comforting, homestyle cake.

Perfect for bakers who love traditional flavors. This version reminds you why simple ingredients often create the best desserts.

13. Spiced Nutmeg Holiday Cupcakes

These unique cupcakes feature buttermilk and warm nutmeg for distinctive holiday flavor. Nutmeg buttercream amplifies the seasonal spice theme.

The nutmeg creates sophisticated flavor that stands out from typical vanilla. This spice works beautifully in both cake and frosting.

Great for holiday parties when you want something different. Vanilla buttercream works too if nutmeg feels too bold.

14. Dark Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake

This dramatic cake uses buttermilk, cocoa, and brewed coffee for intense chocolate flavor. The coffee enhances rather than masks chocolate.

The coffee addition creates deeper, more complex chocolate taste. This technique makes even basic cocoa powder taste gourmet.

Perfect for serious chocolate lovers who want restaurant-quality results. The dark color and rich flavor impress every time.

15. Classic Blueberry Family Cake

This time-tested recipe combines buttermilk with fresh blueberries for a tender, fruity cake. Forty years of success proves this formula works.

The method works with frozen berries too, making this accessible year-round. Simple frosting optional but recommended for special occasions.

Great for family gatherings and potluck dinners. This crowd-pleaser works with various berry substitutions when blueberries aren’t available.

16. Bright Lemon Celebration Cake

This sunny Bundt combines buttermilk with fresh lemon juice and zest for vibrant citrus flavor. Perfect for spring and summer entertaining.

The Bundt shape shows off the golden color beautifully. Lemon glaze adds extra citrus punch and attractive shine.

This version works great for warm weather when you want something light and refreshing. Impressive presentation with minimal decorating required.

17. Healthier Carrot Sheet Cake

This lighter version uses whole wheat flour, buttermilk, and vegetable oil for better nutrition without sacrificing taste. Carrots add natural sweetness.

The healthier ingredients create surprisingly moist texture. You won’t miss the refined flour or extra butter in this version.

Perfect for health-conscious bakers who still want delicious desserts. Great way to sneak vegetables into sweet treats.

18. Heritage Carrot Layer Cake

This beloved family recipe uses buttermilk, carrots, and warm spices for classic carrot cake flavor. Cream cheese frosting completes the tradition.

The time-tested method creates incredibly moist cake that keeps well. This recipe represents generations of baking wisdom and love.

Perfect for carrying on family traditions. The sentimental value makes every slice taste even better than usual.

19. Elegant Lemon Ginger Loaf

This sophisticated cake combines buttermilk, lemon, and crystallized ginger for complex flavor. Grand Marnier adds luxurious finishing touch.

The ginger provides subtle warmth that complements bright lemon perfectly. This flavor combination feels both familiar and surprising.

Great for tea parties and elegant gatherings. The loaf format makes beautiful slices that pair wonderfully with Earl Grey.

20. Simple Chocolate Mocha Cake

This one-bowl recipe uses buttermilk, chocolate, and coffee for rich flavor with minimal cleanup. Coffee buttercream amplifies the mocha theme.

The single-bowl method makes this perfect for busy bakers. Coffee enhances chocolate without overpowering the sweet dessert flavor.

Great for special occasions when you want impressive results without complicated techniques. Ready quickly with dramatic presentation.

21. High-Altitude Devil’s Food Cake

This specialized recipe adjusts ingredients for high-altitude baking success. Buttermilk and cocoa create rich devil’s food flavor regardless of elevation.

The modified ratios prevent the common high-altitude problems like sinking or drying out. Finally, a chocolate cake that works above sea level.

Perfect for mountain dwellers who struggle with regular cake recipes. This version eliminates the guesswork from high-altitude baking.

22. Easy Banana Sheet Cake

This simple recipe transforms overripe bananas into moist cake using buttermilk for extra tenderness. Better than banana bread for feeding crowds.

The sheet format feeds more people than loaf-style banana bread. Buttermilk keeps everything incredibly moist and flavorful.

Perfect for using up brown bananas quickly. Great for potlucks, bake sales, and family gatherings where you need generous portions.

23. Coconut Crowd-Pleaser Sheet Cake

This potluck favorite uses buttermilk and coconut for tropical flavor in sheet cake format. Feeds a crowd with minimal effort required.

The buttermilk creates incredibly moist texture that showcases coconut beautifully. Sheet format makes serving large groups simple and stress-free.

Perfect for entertaining when you need dessert for many people. This reliable recipe always gets compliments and requests for seconds.

24. New Orleans King Cake

This authentic recipe uses buttermilk and traditional spices like lemon and nutmeg for genuine New Orleans flavor. Cream cheese filling adds richness.

The improved version balances sweetness and bread-like texture perfectly. This tastes like what king cake should be rather than disappointing versions.

Great for Mardi Gras celebrations or anytime you want something special. This version converts even people who usually dislike king cake.

25. Family German Chocolate Cake

This treasured recipe uses buttermilk in both cake and traditional coconut-pecan frosting. Generations of baking wisdom create perfect results every time.

The family method ensures authentic German chocolate flavor. This version represents decades of refinement and love passed down through families.

Perfect for special birthdays and celebrations. The sentimental value and proven track record make this worth the extra effort.

26. Tropical Mango-Berry Crumb Cake

This vibrant recipe combines buttermilk with mango and raspberries for bright, fresh flavor. Crumb topping adds sweet texture contrast.

The fruit combination creates beautiful color and complex taste. You can substitute whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have available.

Perfect for using up leftover buttermilk creatively. This flexible recipe adapts to seasonal fruit availability while maintaining great results.

27. Cinnamon Lover’s Bundt Cake

This spice-forward recipe uses buttermilk and generous cinnamon for warm, comforting flavor. Perfect with morning coffee or afternoon tea.

The Bundt shape showcases the golden color beautifully. Extra cinnamon throughout creates layers of spice in every single bite.

Great for cinnamon enthusiasts who want that flavor front and center. The soft, moist texture makes this irresistible for breakfast treats.

28. Versatile Banana Master Recipe

This adaptable recipe uses buttermilk and bananas to create cake, muffins, or bread. One batter works for multiple dessert formats.

The flexible method lets you choose your preferred format. Cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar both work beautifully for finishing.

Perfect for bakers who want one reliable banana recipe. This master formula adapts to whatever pan size or format you prefer.

29. Glazed Lemon-Buttermilk Pound Cake

This citrus version combines buttermilk with fresh lemon juice and zest for bright flavor. Traditional glaze adds extra lemon punch.

The pound cake method creates dense, buttery texture that holds lemon flavor beautifully. Extra zest intensifies the citrus experience throughout.

Great for lemon lovers who want classic pound cake richness. The glaze makes this look bakery-professional with minimal decorating skills.

30. Classic Strawberry Shortcake

This traditional dessert uses buttermilk biscuits as the base for fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Simple ingredients create timeless summer flavor.

The buttermilk biscuits provide tender, slightly tangy base that complements sweet berries perfectly. Homemade whipped cream ties everything together beautifully.

Perfect for strawberry season when berries are sweet and affordable. This reader favorite never goes out of style or disappoints.

Final Thoughts

These buttermilk cake recipes prove this tangy ingredient transforms ordinary desserts into extraordinary treats. From simple coffee cakes to elaborate layer cakes, buttermilk adds moisture and flavor.

Next time you have buttermilk to use up, try one of these tested recipes for guaranteed delicious results.