8 Ideas on How to Use Leftover Cake

Summer is the perfect season to celebrate a birthday outdoors. But once the candles have been blown out and the guests have had their fill, one question may remain: what to do with the leftover cake? Here are some gourmet ideas to maximize flavour and avoid waste.

1. A Trifle

This layered dessert, often served in a glass serving bowl, is a simple and elegant way to use up leftover cake. Cut it into cubes and assemble the trifle by alternating layers of cream (pastry, whipped cream, mascarpone, yogurt, etc.), cake and fresh or stewed fruit.

2. Pop Cakes

Crumbled leftover cake is the basis of pop cakes, these small sweet balls served on a stick. They are prepared by mixing the leftover cake with a binder, such as buttercream, cream cheese or spread, until you get a malleable dough that you shape into a ball.

Tip: We suggest dipping one end of the sticks in melted chocolate before inserting them into the center of the dough balls, for a better hold.

3. Gourmet “French Toast”

This alternative to traditional French toast is prepared by replacing stale bread with slices of cake, preferably also stale. Dip them in a mixture of eggs and milk before browning them in a pan until the outside is crispy and the inside is soft. Delicious with maple syrup, fruit or whipped cream.

4. Pudding

Pudding is an easy dessert to improvise with leftover cake, where the pieces are spread into a buttered baking dish. Pour in a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the cake to absorb the liquid. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30 to 40 minutes.

5. A Cheesecake

By mixing the leftover cake with a little milk, you create a batter that can be used as a base for the filling of a cheesecake. Replace the classic crumbled graham cracker crust with this mixture pressed into the bottom of a parchment-lined pan. Keep the cheese filling of your choice in the fridge.

6. A Smoothie

Adding cake crumbs to your favorite smoothie is a delicious way to avoid waste. Simply mix all the ingredients – milk or plant-based milk, yogurt, banana, fruit of your choice and leftover cake – in a blender until you get a smooth and creamy texture.

7. Tiramisu

Preparing a tiramisu is simple: you cut the leftover cake into slices or cubes, then soak them in coffee or coffee liqueur, instead of using ladyfingers. Place the pieces in a glass jar or cup and cover with a mascarpone filling. Sprinkle with cocoa as a finishing touch.

8. Energy Balls

The principle is the same as for pop cakes, but we add toppings to our cake balls. Carrot cake is a popular choice for this type of recipe. It incorporates naturally sweet ingredients like carrots and raisins, but also nuts and a spicy flavour that adds to the fun. We enhance the mixture with oatmeal, sunflower or chia seeds, dried fruit, etc.