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27 Perfect Pound Cakes We Can't Get Enough Of

27 Perfect Pound Cakes We Can't Get Enough Of

February 04, 2011

Hector Manuel Sanchez

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 Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze. Or, for simply Southern flavors, bake a Sour Cream or 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: Hector Manuel 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.

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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

We took the traditional pound cake recipe and gave 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

Credit: 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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Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Credit: 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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Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

Credit: 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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Key Lime Pound Cake

Credit: Jen Causey

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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Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Credit: 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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Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake

Two Southern classics—caramel cake and pound cake—meet in this dessert that quickly became a reader favorite.

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Orange Peel Pound Cake

Credit: Jerrelle Guy

Recipe: Orange Peel Pound Cake

Baking expert and cookbook author Jerrelle Guy shared this bright pound cake recipe with us, and citrus fans will fall immediately in love with it.

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Million Dollar Pound Cake

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Million Dollar Pound Cake

This classic pound cake only needs a few pantry staple ingredients to make something incredible.

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Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

When fresh blueberries are in abundance, we look for as many ways as possible to use them. This fun cake is our new favorite.

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Buttermilk Pound Cake

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Buttermilk Pound Cake

This pound cake recipe is delicious as-is, but a drizzle of homemade buttermilk custard sauce takes it into restaurant-worthy territory.

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Pistachio Pound Cake

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pistachio Pound Cake

This pound cake would be delicious with your afternoon cup of tea. Pretty enough to gift to a neighbor, be sure to top with chopped pistachios and lemon zest before the homemade vanilla glaze dries.

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Classic Chocolate Pound Cake

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

Recipe: Classic Chocolate Pound Cake

Make this rich chocolate pound cake ahead of time for an easy, satisfying dessert the whole family will love.

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Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze

If you’re looking for a gorgeous centerpiece for a holiday or supper club, this pound cake recipe fits the bill.

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake

No dessert has ever tasted worse with the addition of cream cheese, including this decadent pound cake.

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Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

This recipe was sent in by Billie Taylor of Wytheville, Virginia, and was published in the December, 1993, issue of Southern Living. It’s remained a recipe box staple ever since, and it’s much easier to make than its presentation might make you think.

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Coconut Pound Cake

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Coconut Pound Cake

Coconut, bourbon, pecans, and cream cheese—these are a few of our favorite things, and you’ll find them all in this pound cake recipe.

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Old-Fashioned Pound Cake

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Pound Cake

This rich cake still manages to be light as cloud. We love it topped with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and fresh fruit.

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Sweet Potato Pound Cake

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Potato Pound Cake

Fall’s favorite spud makes a rare appearance at the dessert table with this amazing pound cake recipe.

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Yogurt Pound Cake with Pomegranate Syrup

Credit: Sheri Giblin

Recipe: Yogurt Pound Cake with Pomegranate Syrup

New Orleans Chef Alon Shaya adds Greek yogurt to this pound cake batter for a hint of tang and dreamy texture.

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Classic Southern Pound Cake

Credit: Skyler Burt

Recipe: Classic Southern Pound Cake

This pound cake recipe proves that sometimes the best things in life are the simplest.

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Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

This pound cake recipe came from the ladies of the Junior League of Houston, and it’s a shower and luncheon favorite of ours.

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Vanilla Bean-Brownie Ripple Pound Cake

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Vanilla Bean-Brownie Ripple Pound Cake

Surprise your family with a gorgeous ribbon of brownie batter when they cut into this vanilla pound cake.

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Sour Cream Pound Cake

Recipe: Sour Cream Pound Cake

Sour cream adds just the right amount of tang, richness, and tenderness to this classic pound cake recipe.

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27 Perfect Pound Cakes We Can't Get Enough Of

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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Two-Step Pound Cake

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Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

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Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

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Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

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Key Lime Pound Cake

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Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

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Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake

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Orange Peel Pound Cake

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Million Dollar Pound Cake

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Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

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Buttermilk Pound Cake

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Pistachio Pound Cake

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Classic Chocolate Pound Cake

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Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

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Coconut Pound Cake

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Old-Fashioned Pound Cake

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Sweet Potato Pound Cake

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Yogurt Pound Cake with Pomegranate Syrup

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Classic Southern Pound Cake

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Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

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Vanilla Bean-Brownie Ripple Pound Cake