23 Pound Cake Desserts That Start with Store-Bought Cake

Prepared pound cake can be a time-saving and extremely useful ingredient when you need a tasty treat on the double. From trifles to baked Alaska, here are the yummy things you can do with a pound cake.

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Coconut-Layered Pound Cake

If you love chocolate, almonds and coconut, this cake is for you. It comes together in a flash and tastes just like an Almond Joy candy bar! —Linda L. Nichols, Steubenville, Ohio
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Raspberry Cocoa Trifle

This lovely layered dessert is my husband's favorite. I always make it for our Christmas dinner, but it's excellent after any special meal. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta

Here’s everything you need to know about what is a trifle.

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Ginger Pound Cake S'mores

Kids love this knockoff of the classic campfire dessert, and adults do too. It's easy to prepare, and any kind of chocolate can be used. These can be made in batches in a cast-iron skillet as well. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
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Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

For a dessert that looks as great as it tastes, this one can't be beat! Layers of rich pound cake, luscious cream and sweet strawberries make this treat very inviting. —Marnie Stoughton, Glenburnie, Ontario
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Mocha Baked Alaskas

Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
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St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow Cake

From out of the blue this time comes a truly beautiful sight. As soon as folks get a glimpse of it, though, it'll likely disappear fast! Conjured up by CT's cooks, the colorful rainbow cake features pound cake topped with a creamy spread and fresh fruit. An orange "pot" at the rainbow's end is full to the brim for dipping, too. You'll have a good-as-gold treat sure to shine at a St. Patrick's Day party! —or any festive event.
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Slow-Cooked Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce

This tart and tangy fruit sauce is excellent over pound cake or ice cream. I have served this topping many times and have gotten rave reviews from friends and family. —Judith Wasman, Harkers Island, North Carolina
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Banana Butter Pecan Kabobs

Desserts with bananas remind me of Grandma. She and my mom taught me to cook. I rarely measure. For this dish, I set out pecans and butterscotch with kabobs so everyone can customize. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
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Berries & Cream Trifles

Layers of cubed cake, berries and creamy ricotta mixture make pretty trifles that taste as rich as cheesecake. —Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri
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Peach & Blueberry Trifle

This crowd-pleasing summer trifle recipe can be made the night before. I love that you can be flexible with the ingredients. Add any in-season fruit you like! —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
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Blueberry Shortcake Sundaes

These blueberry shortcake sundaes offer a summery conclusion to any meal. I make this recipe quite often. If you need to save even more time in the kitchen, just buy blueberry pie filling and thin it out with a little orange juice. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Glazed Pear Shortcakes

Family and friends will savor every last crumb of this lickety-split dessert. The pound cake absorbs the apricot flavor and the warm sweetness of the pears. Special enough to serve company—and cute, too! —Fran Thomas, St. James City, Florida
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Shortcut Strawberry-Vanilla Dessert

This quick and yummy strawberry dessert is loaded with fresh strawberries and a creamy pudding topping. Make sure you make plenty—it disappears quickly. —Christine Johnson, Ricetown, Kentucky
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Red, White ‘n’ Blue Torte

My guests see fireworks when I turn a frozen pound cake into a patriotic pleaser! Assemble this tempting torte early in the day and keep it in the refrigerator until it's time for dessert. —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
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Grilled Peaches & Pound Cake

Brush up on grilling dessert with fresh peaches and pound cake! Store-bought cake makes it quick to prepare, and the caramelized flavor will make it disappear fast. —Joy Pendley, Ortonville, Michigan
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Fruit ‘n’ Cake Kabobs

A neighbor served these kabobs at a family picnic and brought some over for us to sample. I was pleasantly surprised at the tasty toasted cake and juicy grilled fruit. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
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Red, White ‘n’ Blue Torte

My guests see fireworks when I turn a frozen pound cake into a patriotic pleaser! Assemble this tempting torte early in the day and keep it in the refrigerator until it's time for dessert. —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
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Cranberry-Orange Trifle

I make this showstopper for many occasions, slightly changing—or adding—ingredients. I sometimes add toasted coconut between the layers. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
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Red, White & Blue Berry Trifle

This luscious trifle tastes best if made the day before serving. Keep additional berries on hand for decoration. —Kaia McShane, Munster, Indiana