If you love desserts that bring a burst of freshness, sweetness, and fun all at once, then you’re going to adore this one. Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe is exactly what it sounds like—a delightful twist on the classic strawberry shortcake, made portable and playful with skewers. This recipe combines juicy strawberries, fluffy angel food cake, and luscious whipped cream, making it a treat that’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting a summer party or need a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert, these kabobs will steal the show.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for only a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in making these kabobs shine. The fresh strawberries provide bright, natural sweetness and vibrant color, the angel food cake adds a dreamy, spongy texture, and the whipped cream brings that irresistible creamy finish. Here’s everything you’ll want ready before you start assembling.
- Fresh strawberries (1 pound): Choose ripe but firm berries for the best flavor and ease of slicing.
- Angel food cake (1 pound): Cut into 1-inch cubes to give that airy, soft texture that contrasts nicely with the fruit.
- Heavy whipping cream (1 cup): Chilled for whipping into light, fluffy cream—the dessert’s luscious component.
- Powdered sugar (2 tablespoons): Sweetens the whipped cream without any grittiness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the whipped cream.
- Wooden skewers (6-inch or 8-inch): Ideal for threading the cake and fruit together neatly.
- Fresh mint leaves (optional): A fresh garnish to elevate the look and add a hint of coolness.
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe
Step 1: Whip the Cream
Start by chilling your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes. This step might feel small, but it makes all the difference by helping the cream whip up light and fluffy. Once chilled, pour in the heavy whipping cream, add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Keep an eye on it and don’t overwhip; the goal is silky, creamy goodness to top your kabobs later.
Step 2: Prepare the Strawberries
While your cream chills, give those strawberries a good rinse under cold water and pat them dry gently with a towel. Then hull them by removing the green tops and cut each berry in half. You want the strawberries ready to slide easily onto the skewers, their juicy, red sides brightening each kabob with color and natural sweetness.
Step 3: Cube the Angel Food Cake
Use a serrated knife to cut your angel food cake into roughly 1-inch cubes. The softness of this cake makes it perfect for soaking up a bit of the strawberry juices while maintaining its fluffiness. These cubes will provide the perfect structural balance between the juicy strawberries and the creamy whipped topping.
Step 4: Assemble the Kabobs
Now comes the fun part! Grab your wooden skewers and start threading by placing a strawberry half first with the cut side facing up, then gently push a cube of angel food cake down. Alternate between strawberry halves and cake cubes, finishing with a strawberry half on top. Continue until you’ve used all your ingredients, making about 10 to 12 kabobs. Place them upright in a glass or neatly arranged on a platter for a visually stunning presentation.
Step 5: Serve with Whipped Cream
Place the whipped cream on the side for dipping, and if you want to make your Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe feel a little fancy, add a sprig of fresh mint on each. This finishing touch isn’t just for looks; the mint’s refreshing flavor complements the dessert perfectly.
How to Serve Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling fresh mint leaves or even tiny edible flowers on top can turn these kabobs into an elegant treat. A light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds a subtle sweetness and a snow-kissed look that’s perfect for parties or afternoon teas.
Side Dishes
If you’re serving these kabobs at a larger meal, they pair beautifully with light options like chilled lemonade, sparkling water infused with lemon and mint, or a light fruit salad to keep things refreshing and balanced. Their sweet and airy quality makes them a perfect palate pleaser after a heavier main course.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the platter: stand the kabobs upright in a tall glass with a bit of sugar or diced cake crumbs at the bottom for support. You could also serve them on a decorative wooden board lined with parchment paper for a rustic vibe. Wrapping each skewer with a colorful ribbon adds a festive, gift-like touch that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe leftover, you’ll want to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because of the whipped cream and fresh fruit, it’s best to eat leftovers within 1 to 2 days to keep everything fresh and tasty. The angel food cake might soften a bit overnight, but the flavors remain delightful.
Freezing
Freezing these kabobs isn’t recommended since the strawberries and whipped cream don’t freeze well together; the texture of the fruit can become mushy and the cream loses its fluffiness. Instead, enjoy these freshly made for the best experience.
Reheating
Since this dessert is best served fresh and chilled, reheating isn’t necessary or advised. If you want to warm the angel food cake separately for another dish, a quick zap in the microwave for 10-15 seconds works, but keep the assembled kabobs cool and ready to enjoy as is.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Fresh strawberries are definitely preferred for Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe because they hold their shape and texture better. Frozen strawberries tend to become mushy once thawed, which can make the kabobs soggy and less visually appealing.
What can I use instead of angel food cake?
If you can’t find angel food cake or want to try a twist, pound cake or sponge cake work well. Just make sure to cut the cake into cubes and choose something light rather than a dense cake to keep the kabobs balanced and airy.
How far in advance can I assemble the kabobs?
It’s best to assemble the Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe within a few hours of serving to maintain the freshness of the strawberries and the texture of the cake. If you assemble too early, the cake can absorb moisture and become soggy.
Can I make the whipped cream ahead of time?
Yes! You can whip the cream a few hours before serving and store it in the refrigerator. Give it a gentle stir before serving if it has separated slightly, but avoid whipping it too far in advance as it can lose some of its airy texture.
Are there alternative fruits that work well in this recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberries are the star of these kabobs, you can mix in other fresh fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches to add variety and color. Just make sure the fruits are firm enough to hold on the skewers without falling apart.
Final Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe when you want something fresh, fun, and utterly delicious. This recipe brings the best parts of a classic dessert into a handheld treat that everyone will enjoy. Give it a try at your next gathering or simply as a sweet pick-me-up—you’ll wonder why you didn’t make kabobs like these sooner!
Print
Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs: A Delicious and Easy Dessert Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 kabobs
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs are a delightful and easy-to-make dessert perfect for summer gatherings or quick sweet treats. Combining fresh, juicy strawberries with light angel food cake cubes and fluffy homemade whipped cream, these kabobs offer a fun and elegant twist on the classic strawberry shortcake.
Ingredients
For the Kabobs:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 pound angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Wooden skewers (6-inch or 8-inch)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Chill Mixing Equipment: Place your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes to ensure your whipped cream whips up light and fluffy.
- Prepare Whipped Cream: Pour 1 cup of heavy whipping cream into the chilled bowl, add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, which should take about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to overwhip.
- Set Whipped Cream Aside: Refrigerate the whipped cream until ready to serve to keep it fresh and cool.
- Prepare Strawberries: Rinse the strawberries under cold water, pat them dry thoroughly, then hull and slice each strawberry in half.
- Cut Angel Food Cake: Using a serrated knife, cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes for easy skewer threading.
- Assemble Kabobs: Take a wooden skewer and thread a strawberry half with the cut side facing up first. Then add a cube of angel food cake. Continue alternating between strawberry halves and cake cubes until the skewer is filled, finishing with a strawberry half on top.
- Repeat Assembly: Continue assembling until all strawberries and cake cubes have been used, making approximately 10-12 kabobs depending on skewer size.
- Display Kabobs: Place the completed kabobs on a serving platter or stand them upright in a glass for a visually appealing presentation.
- Serve: Serve the whipped cream on the side as a delicious dip for the kabobs.
- Garnish: Optionally garnish with fresh mint leaves to add a vibrant and elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm strawberries for best results to avoid soggy kabobs.
- Angel food cake is recommended for its light texture that pairs perfectly with the whipped cream and strawberries.
- Chilling the mixing bowl and beaters helps achieve the perfect whipped cream consistency.
- Skewers can be 6-inch or 8-inch depending on your preference for kabob size.
- These kabobs are best served immediately or within a few hours to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
- For a low-sugar version, reduce the powdered sugar or substitute with a sugar substitute suitable for whipping cream.
