Perfect Pound Cakes

By Southern Living
Photo: Jim Franco

Give your go-to pound cake recipe a breather and try one of these pound cake recipes from scratch.

Pound for pound, a pound cake is a dessert that certainly satisfies above its weight. A true Southern favorite, these pound cake recipes are simple and delicious. The Two-Step Pound Cake is an easy-to-make recipe, best served with ice cream or fresh berries. For a bite-size treat that is a decadent pleasure, enjoy the Mini Triple Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake. One of our readers’ favorite recipes, it mixes cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, and semisweet chocolate, creating an irresistible combination. If you prefer a more sophisticated approach to this simple dessert, try our Sauvignon Blanc Pound Cake. Or, for simply Southern flavors, bake a Pecan Pound Cake, or a Key Lime Pound Cake. Any way you slice it, these pound-cake recipes are worth their weight in sweet delight.

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Look no further for the perfect pound cake recipe. This traditional cake is extra-rich because of the cream cheese and always in style.

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Two-Step Pound Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Two-Step Pound Cake

This recipe is so easy you may start serving this classic dessert with every meal. Top with ice cream or seasonal fruits for a tasty combination.  

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Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

This recipe is based on a classic Southern favorite called 7UP Pound Cake, which was created in the 1950s when the soda company suggested using its soft drink instead of other liquid in pound cake recipes. The result: one of the best, and simplest, cakes you'll ever make.

Watch: Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

We took the traditional pound cake recipe and raised it a stunning, triple-chocolate twist. This cake means business. A duo of glazes—one creamy chocolate, the other subtle buttermilk—comes together atop this dreamy confection. It’s indulgent and, we admit, so much fun to eat and serve. Chocolate enthusiasts will be over the moon for this recipe, but it has enough unexpected flavor—thanks to the addition of the buttermilk glaze—that you’ll also win over the harder-to-please dessert eaters at the table. Warning: You—and they—won’t be able to resist a second slice. Go for it. We won’t tell.

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Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

There are a few things to note about this recipe before you start baking. First, the cream cheese is added after beating the butter and sugar. And, yes, you read the cooking instructions correctly—the cake bakes at a slightly higher temperature than usual.

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Coconut-Macadamia Nut Pound Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut-Macadamia Nut Pound Cake

Lightly toasting the macadamia nuts brings out their rich, buttery flavor.

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Two-Step Fresh Peach Pound Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Two-Step Fresh Peach Pound Cake

Turn out a high-rise cake with a moist, tender crumb by layering the ingredients in the bowl in the order specified. Don't have a stand mixer with a 4-qt. bowl and paddle attachment? Prep the batter the traditional way.

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Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

You'll hardly be able to bake these little gems before they're devoured.

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Pecan Pound Cake

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Pecan Pound Cake

A drizzle of lemon-infused Citrus Glaze gives this creamy nut-filled cake a sweet finish.

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Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

Finish the cakes with one of three toppings, listed with the recipe. Toss together the Streusel Topping before you start baking. Both glazes can be prepped while the cakes cool.

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Black Forest Pound Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Black Forest Pound Cake

This decadent dessert is an easy, one-pan twist on the traditional layered cake. You'll love the tart Cherry Sauce with the sweet cake.

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Lemon Coconut Pound Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemon-Coconut Pound Cake

This pound cake recipe starts from scratch and is as good as it looks. Pair it with a sparkling wine, like a Prosecco, to complete your dessert.

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Amaretto Almond Pound Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Amaretto Almond Pound Cake

Perfect with your afternoon tea, the Amaretto Almond Pound Cake is soaked in a hot amaretto glaze giving it a delicious flavor.

Recipe from Ethleen Scarborough; Augusta, Georgia

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Key Lime Pound Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Key Lime Pound Cake

Dress up traditional pound cake with a little lime zest and a homemade Key lime glaze for a deliciously tropical dessert.

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Buttermilk Pound Cake with Custard Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Buttermilk Pound Cake with Custard Sauce

We sampled this traditional pairing several different ways and loved them all, but our favorite was a warm pound cake with chilled custard.

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Sauvignon Blanc Pound Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sauvignon Blanc Pound Cake

Serve a selection of berries and a glass of rosé with the richly textured Sauvignon Blanc Pound Cake.

Recipe from Cindy Nichols; Memphis, Tennessee

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Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

We replicated the flavor profile of Mexican chocolate using semisweet chocolate and cinnamon. If you prefer to use Mexican chocolate, look for it with the hot drink mixes or on the Hispanic food aisle. This moist pound cake is equally delicious without the Mexican Chocolate Sauce.

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