10 Things to Make with Store-Bought Pound Cake

Grilled apricot, pound cake and cream cheese kabobs. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Grilled apricot, pound cake and cream cheese kabobs. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Next-Level Pound Cake

Store-bought pound cake was a weeknight dessert staple when I was growing up, and it's still got a strong presence in the grocery store's freezer section. It's sturdy, but not too sweet, making it a good base for creative elaboration. Here are 10 ways to fancy up store-bought pound cake. I ate a couple of slices plain along the way, for old time's sake.

Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Grill It: Grilled Pound Cake Slices

Grilling adds smoky flavor and crispiness to store-bought pound cake slices. To make dark, even grill marks, butter both sides, then don't move the slices once you lay them on a medium-hot grill. Flip them with a spatula when they start to smoke. It takes only a minute or two for each side.

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Spear It: Grilled Pound Cake Kebabs

Run skewers through the crust instead of the middle of buttered pound cake slices, then layer with sliced apricots or other summer stone fruit before grilling. Add goat cheese or whipped cream cheese and a mint garnish after removing the kebabs from the grill.

Banana pudding made with fresh fruit and grilled slices of pound cake. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Banana pudding made with fresh fruit and grilled slices of pound cake. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Layer It: Grilled Pound Cake Banana Pudding

Cut grilled slices of pound cake into one-inch squares, then layer with pudding and slices of banana for a summertime twist on a classic Southern dessert favorite.

Toasted squares of store-bought pound cake become crunchy croutons in fruit salad. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Toasted squares of store-bought pound cake become crunchy croutons in fruit salad. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Toast It: Pound Cake Croutons

Lightly butter pound cake slices on both sides, then cut them into small cubes. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Add the crunchy bites to fruit salad, or use them as a topping for sweet summer soups.

Crumble leftover poundcake on top of fresh fruit and bake for a summer berry crumble. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Crumble leftover poundcake on top of fresh fruit and bake for a summer berry crumble. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Crumble It: Easy Baked Berry Crumble

Crumble leftover pound cake on top of fresh or frozen berries and bake until bubbly and golden brown.

Thick slices of pound cake dipped in egg batter create a decadant breakfast treat for special occasions. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Thick slices of pound cake dipped in egg batter create a decadant breakfast treat for special occasions. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Batter It Up: Pound Cake French Toast

Let extra-thick slices of pound cake absorb your favorite French toast batter for a little longer than usual, then cook in butter over medium-low heat until brown. Serve with fruit, whipped cream and lots of syrup for a decadent special occasion breakfast treat. The sprinkles are pretty Dark Chocolate Decoratifs from India Tree.

pound cake peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dessert or for lunch. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,pound cake peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dessert or for lunch. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

Photo: Jackie Alpers ©

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Slather It: Pound Cake Peanut Butter and Jelly Dessert Sandwiches

You will probably have to eat this with a knife and fork, but I'm still calling it a sandwich.

Slices of store-bought pound cake dipped in chocolate and decorated with animal cookies and sprinkles. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Slices of store-bought pound cake dipped in chocolate and decorated with animal cookies and sprinkles. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

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Dip It: Chocolate-Dipped Pound Cake Slices

Dip slices halfway in melted chocolate, then decorate while still warm. Set on waxed paper and let the coating harden before serving.

Poke pound cake decorated with whipped cream and fruit. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Poke pound cake decorated with whipped cream and fruit. Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

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Poke It: Poke Cake

Using a chopstick, poke holes in the top of a whole pound cake at even intervals, but different depths. For an extra shot of dramatic color, dab a drop of natural food coloring into some of the holes. Then pour warm, prepared Jell-O over the cake and into the holes. Refrigerate until the Jell-O is set, about 4 hours.

Store bought pound cake fancied up with whipped cream and fresh fruit, Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com
,Store bought pound cake fancied up with whipped cream and fresh fruit, Food photography and pound cake ideas by Jackie Alpers for Foodnetwork.com

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Make It Fancy: Fruit and Whipped Cream

Take your poke cake to the next level of fanciness by decorating the top with berries, whipped cream and mint leaves, then dust with a bit of confectioners' sugar.

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10 Things to Make with Store-Bought Pound Cake

Next-Level Pound Cake

Grill It: Grilled Pound Cake Slices

Spear It: Grilled Pound Cake Kebabs

Layer It: Grilled Pound Cake Banana Pudding

Toast It: Pound Cake Croutons

Crumble It: Easy Baked Berry Crumble

Batter It Up: Pound Cake French Toast

Slather It: Pound Cake Peanut Butter and Jelly Dessert Sandwiches

Dip It: Chocolate-Dipped Pound Cake Slices

Poke It: Poke Cake

Make It Fancy: Fruit and Whipped Cream

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