This grilled pound cake with peaches and honey thyme syrup is the perfect summertime dessert! Warm, buttery pound cake grilled lightly, served with peaches that are coated in the honey syrup and grill until tender and super juicy. The warm cake and peaches along with scoops of cold vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of the syrup is a match made in heaven!
Grilled peaches have always been a favorite of mine, especially with a dollop of ice cream that gets all melted and adds the perfect contrast! But pair with a slice of pound cake that is grilled just enough so it holds up to the liquid – you have a flavor combo like no other.
This really brings out the flavors of summer, especially the honey thyme syrup – which is just a mixture of honey and water simmered down with a bundle of fresh thyme stems and a swirl of vanilla bean paste. I know you’re going to love this one!
Looking for more summer desserts, try this strawberry icebox cake or my golden Oreo freezer pie (great for making in advance!). Find all of my dessert recipes here for more inspiration.
Why You’ll Love This Dessert
If you’re craving something that feels fancy but takes almost no effort, this grilled pound cake with peaches is it. Using store-bought pound cake makes this super quick, great for summer BBQs! The honey thyme syrup is flavorful but not overwhelming and has the perfect hint of vanilla.
Fresh summer peaches get caramelized and juicy on the grill and they pair so well with the ice cream. I love serving this on a large platter so everyone can serve themselves family style, set some extra honey syrup on the side to drizzle on top! Kids and adults will love this dish!
-Rachel
Key Ingredients
Pound cake: Homemade or store-bought will work, slice into even slices.
Peaches: Use ripe but firm peaches, halved and pitted for easy grilling.
Honey: Adds sweetness and caramelizes on the grill. Maple syrup or agave can be substituted
Fresh thyme: Infuses the honey syrup with the perfect herby flavor, I wouldn’t substitute dried thyme.
Vanilla bean paste: Adds deep vanilla flavor and nice specs; vanilla extract works too.
Vanilla bean ice cream: Scoop on top before serving for that hot-cold contrast.
How to Make The Grilled Cake
Let’s talk a little about how to make the Grilled Pound Cake with Peaches any Honey Thyme Syrup (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick Overview:
- Prep honey syrup.
- Grill cake and peaches.
- Arrange with ice cream and enjoy.
- Prep pound cake by slicing into 8 even slices, slice peaches in half and remove the pits. Place on a sheet pan, set aside.
- In a small sauce pan combine water, honey, and fresh thyme stems. Let simmer over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the sauce has reduced, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste.
- Preheat a gas grill on medium-high heat, once the temperature gets up to 400-450 degrees F, add the pound cake. Grill 2-3 minutes per side, just until marks appear, remove from heat. Brush peaches with the honey thyme syrup and place cut side down. Grill for 3-4 minutes, rotate 180 degrees and cook for another 3-4 minutes, remove from heat.
- Arrange grilled cake on a platter or individual plates, add grilled peaches, scoops of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with the remaining honey syrup. Enjoy immediately!
Recipe Variations
- Use nectarines or plums: Swap peaches for other stone fruits like nectarines, plums, or apricots.
- Try angel food cake or brioche: If you don’t have pound cake, thick slices of angel food cake or brioche will work.
- Add bourbon to the glaze: Stir in a splash of bourbon with the honey and vanilla for a richer flavor.
- Top with nuts: Toasted almonds, pecans, or pistachios add a little crunch and contrast. Even store-bought granola would work.
- Make it handheld: Skewer grilled cake and peach slices and serve as dessert kebabs, drizzle with the honey syrup.
Grilled Pound Cake and Peaches with Honey Thyme Syrup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Pound cake , sliced into 8 slices
- 5 large Peaches, sliced in half
- 2/3 cup Honey
- 1/3 cup Water
- Fresh thyme stems , small bundle
- 1 tbsp Vanilla bean paste
- 1.5 quart Vanilla bean ice cream
Instructions
- Prep pound cake by slicing into 8 even slices, slice peaches in half and remove the pits. Place on a sheet pan, set aside.1 loaf Pound cake , 5 large Peaches
- In a small sauce pan combine water, honey, and fresh thyme stems. Let simmer over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the sauce has reduced, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste.2/3 cup Honey, 1/3 cup Water , Fresh thyme stems , 1 tbsp Vanilla bean paste
- Preheat a gas grill on medium-high heat, once the temperature gets up to 400-450 degrees F, add the pound cake. Grill 2-3 minutes per side, just until marks appear, remove from heat. Brush peaches with the honey thyme syrup and place cut side down. Grill for 3-4 minutes, rotate 180 degrees and cook for another 3-4 minutes, remove from heat.
- Arrange grilled cake on a platter or individual plates, add grilled peaches, scoops of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with the remaining honey syrup. Enjoy immediately!1.5 quart Vanilla bean ice cream
Nutrition
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Recipe FAQs
Fresh peaches work best for grilling, but you can use well-drained canned halves in a pinch. Skip grilling if they’re too soft and just warm them in a skillet.
Nope! A stovetop grill pan or a cast iron skillet will work to get grill marks.
I don’t recommended making this ahead of time, it’s much better fresh. The syrup could be made a few days in advanced and heated before serving.
Grilled peaches can be reheated gently in a skillet or microwave. Pound cake is best enjoyed freshly grilled but can be toasted briefly in a pan or oven.
Yes! It adds a subtle herbal note, but the dessert is still delicious without it and just make the honey syrup.
Tools I Recommend
- Gas Grill: this is the grill I use, it is perfect for casual grilling at home and holds enough for a large crowd or dinner for two.
- Large tongs: long tongs are a must when grilling so you don’t burn yourself, I like a set of different sizes.
- Small sheet pans: I use these to set my ingredients on before and after grilling, it’s convenient to bring the tray out to the grill.
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing your final dish on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!
Cheers!
-Rachel
