12 Incredible Uses for Leftover Cake: Don’t Let it Go Stale
Unless you store your cake properly, that sweet treat will eventually go stale. It can feel like a tragedy, but don’t despair. With a little imagination, you can transform even the most dried-out slices into something truly awesome and delicious. In this article, we’ll explore 12 incredible uses for leftover cake that will make you wonder how you ever managed to throw away perfectly good cake in the first place.
Breathe New Life into Leftover Cake
Before we dive into the list, it’s worth noting that leftover cake is a treasure trove of creative possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just a cake enthusiast, you’ll love these ideas for repurposing leftover cake. From cake pops to cake crumb cookies, we’ve got you covered.
1. Cake Pops: The Cutest Possible Use for Leftover Cake
It probably goes without saying, but cake pops are the cutest possible use for leftover cake. Simply crumble the cake, combine it with buttercream or cream cheese frosting, and squeeze until squishy. Shape into little balls, then coat with candy melts or melted chocolate to lock in all that newly-made moisture.
2. Cake French Toast: A Tasty Twist on a Classic Breakfast
French toast will save your leftover cake just like it saves your day-old bread. Make an egg batter, coat the cake slices, then griddle until toasty on the edges. Serve with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
3. Ice Cream Mix-Ins: Add a Touch of Cake to Your Favorite Flavor
Fold cake crumbles into softened ice cream, and you’ve got the sweetest DIY dessert. Or, you can keep it simple and spoon those crumbs on top of a scoop and dig in. The possibilities are endless, and the result is always delicious.
More Creative Ways to Use Leftover Cake
4. Cake Shakes: Blend Leftover Cake into a Delicious Milkshake
Crumble stale cake, frosting and all, then throw it into a blender with a couple scoops of ice cream and milk. Blend until smooth, and you’ll have a decadent dessert that tastes just like your childhood birthday parties.
5. Trifle: A Classic English Dessert Made for Leftover Cake
This English dessert was made for leftover cake, as it soaks up fruit juices and custard like a dream. To make a trifle, layer cake crumbles with fruit, custard, and whatever other ingredients go well with the flavor of your cake.
6. Grilled Cake: A Genius Move for Serving Leftover Cake
When served with ice cream or fresh fruit, it’s a genius move to warm up leftover cake on the grill. Just like toasting stale bread, it’ll help bring out the flavor. Sturdy cakes, like pound cake, work best, but you can grill any cake by setting it on top of foil first.
More Ideas to Get You Started
- Cake crumbles make a great addition to oatmeal or yogurt
- Use leftover cake to make a cake-based pudding
- Crumble cake into a fruit crisp or crumble topping
7. Not-Bread Puddings: A Creative Twist on a Classic Dessert
It’s like bread pudding, but not. Substitute any type of cake from leftover coffee cake to chiffon for bread in your favorite recipe, then bake as normal.
8. Crumbled-Cake Pie Crusts: A Delicious Alternative to Cookie Crumbs
Use cake crumbles instead of cookie crumbs in any cookie pie crust recipe. Yeah, it’s that easy.
9. Deep-Fried Cake Snacks: A Crispy and Delicious Treat
Ask anyone who has ever attended a state fair – deep-frying makes everything taste good. Coating cake chunks in batter adds moisture and crunch, and once you fry it, you get a wow-worthy dessert the whole family will love munching on.
10. Brownie Mix-Ins: Add a Touch of Cake to Your Favorite Brownie Recipe
The next time you’re making brownies, fold some finely diced or crumbled leftover cake into your batter. It’ll add a subtle note of texture to your dessert while using up that dried cake.
11. Charlotte: A Dignified Retro Dessert Made with Leftover Cake
A charlotte is a dignified retro dessert in which ladyfingers line a pan of mousse or custard topped with fruit. Sound yummy? Substitute slivers of leftover cake for the ladyfingers, and voila – a reimagined dessert that tastes just as delicious as the classic.
12. Cake Crumb Cookies: Crunchy, Delicious Cookies Made with Leftover Cake
Touted as a way to recycle pieces of wedding cake, cake crumb cookies employ crumbled cake as the base of a dough for crunchy, delicious cookies.
The Possibilities are Endless
As you can see, there are countless creative ways to repurpose leftover cake. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just a cake enthusiast, we’re confident that these 12 ideas will inspire you to try something new and delicious. So, next time you’re faced with leftover cake, don’t throw it away – get creative!
Share Your Thoughts!
We’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite ways to use leftover cake? Share your tips, start a discussion, or ask other cake enthusiasts a question. Have you tried any of these 12 incredible uses for leftover cake? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some creative ways to use leftover cake?
There are 12 incredible uses, including making cake pops, cake french toast, and cake crumb cookies.
Can I use leftover cake to make a dessert?
Yes, you can make desserts like trifle, charlotte, and not-bread puddings using leftover cake.
How can I repurpose stale cake?
You can crumble it into ice cream, oatmeal, or yogurt, or use it to make cake shakes and cake crumb cookies.
Can I grill leftover cake?
Yes, grilling leftover cake can bring out its flavor, especially when served with ice cream or fresh fruit.
What are some other uses for leftover cake?
You can use it to make cake-based pudding, crumble topping, or deep-fried cake snacks.
Can I use leftover cake in baked goods?
Yes, you can fold crumbled cake into brownie batter or use it as a substitute for cookie crumbs in pie crusts.
