21 Best Pound Cake Desserts That Elevate the Classic Treat
It's one of Ree's all-time favorites.
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Pound cakes are one of those classic comfort food desserts that have been around for ages, but that doesn't mean they need to be boring! "Pound cakes are pure nostalgia for me," Ree Drummond says, "I grew up eating lemon-lime pound cake and I still can't get enough of it." But even The Pioneer Woman would agree that you can elevate buttery homemade cakes by incorporating new flavors or transforming it into something entirely different—and that's why you'll love these creative pound cake desserts! They turn any old-fashioned grandma recipes like pound cake into something unexpected like a tiramisu ice cream cake or an over-the-top trifle.
Traditional pound cake originally got its name from the formula in which it's made: using a whole pound of each ingredient. Or in other words, a pound of butter, a pound of flour, a pound of sugar, and a pound of eggs. These days, pound cakes don't necessarily need to follow those rules. Follow some of Ree's best tips for homemade cakes starting with her Perfect Pound Cake or opt for a store-bought or frozen pound cake to make it a no-bake dessert. Then, try grilling slices to serve with fresh fruit or cutting the pound cake into cubes to pair with a luscious chocolate fondue. There are also fun twists on pound cake flavors like the brownie swirled pound cake and key lime pie pound cake that combine two desserts in one! No matter which you choose, these pound cake recipes are sure to become a new favorite.
Perfect Pound Cake
Ree's version of the traditional 7-Up cake from the '70s is a great place to start when making homemade pound cake. It's moist, flavorful, and the perfect base for ice cream and raspberry sauce, whipped cream and strawberries, or even a drizzle of caramel.
Get Ree's Perfect Pound Cake recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Trifle
It doesn't need to be the 4th of July to make this berry-filled trifle. Just layer cubes of store-bought pound cake, fresh fruit, and whipped cream cheese for the easiest dessert.
Get the Red, White, and Blue Trifle recipe.
Chocolate Pound Cake
Calling all chocolate lovers! This pound cake is made with rich cocoa powder and topped with a vanilla bean glaze for a pretty black and white contrast. It's sure to stand out!
Get Ree's Chocolate Pound Cake recipe.
Key Lime Pound Cake
Ree loves the tangy flavor of key lime pie so it's no wonder she incorporated it into this key lime pound cake. The graham cracker streusel on top is another nod to the classic pie.
Get Ree's Key Lime Pound Cake recipe.
Chocolate Fondue
This pot of melty chocolate has a bit of cherry brandy in it to give it an extra punch of flavor. Serve it up with all kinds of dippers, including cubed pound cake, fruit, and cookies.
Get the Chocolate Fondue recipe.
Strawberry Swirled Pound Cake
This pound goes big on berry flavor by adding strawberries three ways: frozen strawberries and strawberry jam are swirled into the batter and a bright strawberry glaze is drizzled on top.
Get Ree's Strawberry Swirled Pound Cake recipe.
Blackberry Icebox Cake
Store-bought frozen pound cake makes this layered dessert incredibly easy! With whipped cream, fresh berries, and blackberry jam—it doesn't get much better than that.
Get the Blackberry Icebox Cake recipe.
Lemon Pound Cake
This bright lemony pound cake is just as delicious for brunch as it is for dessert! Just don't forget to give it a generous drizzle of lemon glaze over the top.
Get Ree's Lemon Pound Cake recipe.
Raspberry Fool With Pound Cake and Caramelized Honey
Cubed pound cake will soak up all the flavor from the mashed raspberries, whipped cream, and caramelized honey. It makes every bite as delicious as the next!
Get the Raspberry Fool With Pound Cake and Caramelized Honey recipe at A Cookie Named Desire.
Pound Cake Cupcakes
This treat is just like your traditional buttery, dense pound cake, but in cupcake form! It's perfect for a potluck or bake sale with a simple topping of whipped cream and fresh berries.
Brownie Swirl Pound Cake
Slice into this homemade pound cake and you'll find swirls of fudgy brownie right in the center! And if that weren't enough to make your taste buds sing, there's also a chocolate glaze on top!
Grilled Pound Cake
Here's a fun idea that looks impressive but is so easy to make: Cut pound cake into slices, brush with butter, and sear on the grill. It's ready to be topped with whipped cream and sweetened berries.
Apple Cider Pound Cake
Just like those sugar-crusted apple cider doughnuts you know and love, this pound cake is full of warm, spiced flavor. It's the perfect treat to snack on in the chilly fall months.
Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake
This twist on the classic Italian dessert takes layers of frozen pound cake soaked with Kahlua and stacks them up with chocolate and coffee ice cream. It's all finished with a mascarpone whipped cream!
Get the Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake recipe at The View From Great Island.
Carrot Pound Cake
Carrot cake meets pound cake in this tasty dessert mash-up! It's made with freshly grated carrots for a moist texture and warm spices for added flavor. Plus, there's a honey cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts on top!
Raspberry Trifle
This show-stopping dessert is filled to the brim with sweet flavors from the layers of fresh berries, raspberry jam, pound cake, and whipped cream cheese. You can garnish it with chocolate shavings to make it even more decadent.
Snickers Ice Cream Cake
This cake is inspired by an ice cream sundae with all the fixins' including three types of ice cream, hot fudge, caramel sauce, peanuts, chopped candy, and a hard chocolate shell.
Get the Snickers Ice Cream Cake recipe at Brown Sugar Food Blog.
Funfetti Pound Cake
Any cake that's filled with rainbow sprinkles is sure to make you smile. This one is cute and colorful with that classic dense vanilla pound cake flavor.
Get the Funfetti Pound Cake recipe at Love Bakes Good Cakes.
Lemon Berry Meringue Trifle
This dessert is bright and sweet thanks to whipped lemon curd and fresh berries. But it's the toasted meringue topping that's sure to make it stand out.
Get the Lemon Berry Meringue Trifle recipe at A Cozy Kitchen.
Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
One of the easiest ways to elevate pound cake is to simply add chocolate chips! They get all melty and luscious when baked into the classic loaf cake.
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