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Grandma, Nana, Save—no matter what you called your grandmother, there’s a good chance you were a fan of her cooking and baking. Grandmothers just know how to put together a fabulous dish to feed the whole family. If you’re lucky, you may have inherited a few of her recipes. If not, that’s okay. We have plenty of Nana-approved recipes here at Allrecipes, shared by grandmothers, their children, and grandchildren from all over the world.
One of Nana’s many areas of expertise? Cakes. From birthday cakes to showstopping dessertsa cake from Nana is always a special treat. However, there’s something extra nostalgic about Nana’s pound cake. Maybe it’s because the cake’s origins date back hundreds of years, so we know generations of our family members likely enjoyed it, and we still get to enjoy it today.
So, we’re sharing our favorite pound cake recipes that are made by Nanas, remind us of Nanas, or taste like the ones Nana used to make. Preheat your oven and get ready to dig in!
Lemon Pound Cake with Aunt Evelyn’s Lemon Glaze
Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This Lemon Pound Cake is a blue ribbon winner, and it’s easy to see why. Tangy, sweet, moist, and balanced—this recipe has over 450 5-star ratings. If it’s good enough for a blue ribbon and Aunt Evelyn, we know that it’s good enough for us!
Apricot Brandy and Peach Schnapps Pound Cake
Apricot brandy and peach Schnapps are two very vintage ingredientsso we know Nana would love this one. Great for the holidays or any special occasion, this cake will be a gorgeous showstopper on any dining table. “Everyone raved about how moist and flavorful it was,” says one reviewer. “Two ladies went home with the recipe.”
Grandmother’s Pound Cake
Allrecipes community member WHOLEGRAINWOMAN shared this traditional pound cake recipe, which is over 100 years old. It’s a straightforward recipe, following the classic approach of using one pound of each ingredient: buttersugar, eggs, and flour. Many Allrecipes members return to this recipe time after time, with one stating that it’s “by far the best pound cake recipe,” and that it’s “moist, tasty, fluffy, and flavorful”—just what we’re looking for in a pound cake.
Cinnamon and Amaretto Pound Cake
Almond lovers, this pound cake is for you. This recipe features amaretto, alongside almond extract and almond slices. Its bright white glaze is a beautiful contrast to the toasty-colored sponge. “This is yummy and it presents beautifully,” says one Allrecipes reviewer. “I have made it twice this week for gatherings.”
Seven-Up Pound Cake
This bright, citrusy pound cake doesn’t need a glaze—it’s moist and flavorful on its own. One Allrecipes member said they’ve been making this cake since they were a little girl, while another member stated they regularly return to this recipe to serve to guests or with their morning coffee. This is a great all-rounder recipe to have on hand for any occasion.
Kentucky Blue Ribbon All-Butter Pound Cake
Allrecipes member Taylor Piercefield says this recipe has been in her family for at least seven generations. “This is the recipe my grandmother would make every year during the holidays,” shares Piercefield. “I found the recipe tucked in her Bible when she passed, and it was written in her grandmother’s handwriting. I won a Blue Ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair by following her exact instructions. It tastes like pure love!” We can’t get more Nana-approved than that!
Blueberry Pound Cake
Loops Vazquez
It’s berry season, and this blueberry pound cake is a great way to celebrate the delicious fruit. “I have used this recipe for years, and it is a favorite of family and friends alike,” says one reviewer. “I took one to work and found colleagues arguing over who was taking what was left. I follow the recipe exactly as written because I don’t think it could get any better.”
Battenburg Cake
Battenburg or Battenberg Cake is a traditional English cake that features a pink and yellow check patterned sponge, glued together with apricot jam and wrapped in marzipan. The recipe was named in honor of the wedding of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, Princess Victoria, to Prince Louis of Battenberg in 1884. Dozens of generations have made and enjoyed this cake, but it is a heavier lift than the traditional pound cake, so save it for a special occasion.
Key Lime Pound Cake with Glaze
Kim S
If you ever wanted a cake that tastes like a Key Lime Piecheck out this recipe. One reviewer says it was “moist, buttery, dense in all the right ways, and had a wonderful key lime flavor.” While the recipe instructs to brush the glaze on the cake (which gives it an “‘old-fashioned cake donut’ kind of appeal,” according to one reviewer), another Allrecipes member suggests poking holes in the cake and pouring the glaze inside. It’s a brilliant tip that amplifies the lime flavor.
Almond Crunch Pound Cake
This dense almond cake is topped with a “candy-like topping” that adds a pleasant crunch to each bite and “sets this cake apart from other pound cakes,” according to one Allrecipes reviewer. The recipe submitter suggests serving it with whipped cream and raspberries for a complementary, classic flavor combo that’s sure to wow.
Pineapple Upside-Down Pound Cake
Kim
Pineapple Upside-Down cakes are so nostalgic. The cherry-studded pineapple rings just scream “vintage.” It’s a good thing the flavor is just as amazing as the appearance. This pound cake version is “buttery, soft, beautiful, and absolutely delicious,” according to one Allrecipes member. We’re bookmarking this for our next gathering.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
The addition of cream cheese adds a pleasant tang to this not overly sweet strawberry cake. Pull out this recipe when you’re looking for ways to use up all your overflowing garden strawberries. “I made this Strawberry Pound Cake for a dinner party tonight. All the guests raved about it,” Allrecipes member Nancy Calhoun writes. “I will make it again. Also, may try other seasonal fruits. Thinking fresh cherries would also be good.”
Jan’s Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
“I’ve made this so many times that I can’t even count,” says an Allrecipes member. “It’s fabulous and so easy to make. I also like that it makes a nice big loaf. Everyone who tries this always asks for the recipe and some cake to take home.” The recipe developer also mentions that the recipe works well with soy-based dairy alternatives, making this dessert suitable for lactose-free cake lovers.