Introduction & Inspiration: A Smoky, Sweet Surprise!
This Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries is such a fun and unexpectedly delicious dessert! I absolutely love how grilling transforms the light, airy texture of angel food cake, giving it slightly crisp, caramelized edges and a wonderful warmth. Pairing it with juicy strawberries and a unique balsamic-butter glaze creates a truly memorable treat.
The inspiration for this recipe came during a summer barbecue. I wanted a quick and easy dessert that utilized the grill, and I happened to have an angel food cake on hand. Brushing it with a simple glaze and grilling it briefly turned out to be a stroke of genius!
It takes a simple, store-bought cake (or homemade, if you’re ambitious!) and elevates it into something special in just minutes. The contrast between the warm, smoky cake and the cool, sweet berries is fantastic.
Perfect for summer cookouts, easy entertaining, or just a fun weeknight dessert, this grilled angel food cake is simple, sophisticated, and utterly delicious.
Nostalgic Appeal (Campfire Treats & Creative Shortcuts)
There’s something inherently fun and nostalgic about grilling desserts. It reminds me of campfire cooking, s’mores, and finding creative ways to make simple treats feel special. This recipe captures that playful spirit.
Angel food cake itself is a classic, light dessert, often enjoyed simply with berries and cream. Grilling it feels like a fun, slightly rebellious twist on tradition. It adds an unexpected smoky char and textural contrast.
This recipe also celebrates the beauty of smart shortcuts. Using a prepared angel food cake makes this an incredibly fast dessert to assemble. It proves you don’t need complex baking to create something impressive.
It’s the kind of dessert that sparks conversation (“You grilled the cake?!”) and brings a sense of fun to the end of a meal. It’s familiar flavors presented in an exciting new way.
Homemade Focus (The Magic is in the Grilling)
While this recipe often starts with a store-bought angel food cake, the “homemade” magic truly happens on the grill and in the simple preparations. The focus isn’t on baking the cake itself, but on transforming it.
Crafting the balsamic-butter glaze, macerating the strawberries, and carefully grilling the cake slices are where the homemade touch comes in. These simple steps add layers of flavor and texture that elevate the basic cake.
The grilling technique itself requires a bit of attention – you want those beautiful grill marks and warm, crisp edges without burning the delicate cake. It’s a quick process that yields impressive results.
This recipe is a fantastic example of how simple techniques and creative combinations can result in a delicious, seemingly gourmet dessert with minimal fuss. It’s homemade ingenuity at its best.
Flavor Goal: Warm Grilled Cake, Tangy Glaze, Sweet Berries
The flavor goal here is a delightful interplay of contrasts: warm, slightly smoky, tender-crisp cake; a rich, tangy, subtly savory balsamic-butter glaze; and cool, sweet, juicy macerated strawberries.
The angel food cake, naturally light and sweet, develops lovely caramelized notes and crispy edges on the grill. The balsamic-butter glaze adds a surprising depth – the butter provides richness, while the balsamic vinegar offers a tangy counterpoint that cuts the sweetness and complements the strawberries.
The strawberries, simply tossed with sugar, release their natural juices and become even sweeter, providing a fresh, fruity topping. Optional vanilla ice cream adds a cool creaminess, and blueberry syrup (if used) offers another layer of fruit flavor.
The overall effect should be a balanced dessert – warm and cool, sweet and tangy, soft and crisp. It’s an exciting and satisfying combination.
Ingredient Insights: The Key Players on the Grill
Let’s look at the simple yet impactful ingredients:
- Angel Food Cake: Store-bought or homemade works. Its light, airy structure with lots of sugar allows the edges to crisp and caramelize quickly on the grill. Slice it about 1-inch thick.
- Fresh Strawberries: The classic pairing. Slicing them helps them release juices when macerated. Use ripe, sweet berries.
- Sugar (Granulated): Used to macerate the strawberries, drawing out moisture and creating a natural syrup while sweetening the berries.
- Butter (Melted): Brushed on the cake, it adds richness, promotes browning and crisping on the grill, and helps prevent sticking.
- Balsamic Vinegar: The surprise element! Adds a tangy, complex, slightly sweet-savory note that cuts through the sweetness of the cake and berries. Don’t use overly expensive, syrupy aged balsamic here; regular balsamic vinegar works perfectly.
- Optional: Reduced-fat vanilla ice cream and blueberry syrup for serving add extra layers of flavor and temperature contrast.
Essential Equipment: Grill Time!
The main requirement here is a heat source for grilling:
- Grill: An outdoor gas or charcoal grill, or an indoor grill pan or electric grill will work. Ensure the grates are clean.
- Brush: For applying the balsamic-butter mixture to the cake slices.
- Small Bowls: One for macerating strawberries, one for mixing the glaze.
- Tongs or Spatula: For carefully flipping the cake slices on the grill.
- Serving Plates.
Minimal tools for a quick and impressive dessert!
List of Ingredients with Measurements (Simple & Sweet)
Here’s your quick checklist for this grilled delight:
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 8 slices angel food cake (about 1 ounce each / 1-inch thick)
Optional for Serving:
- Reduced-fat vanilla ice cream
- Blueberry syrup
- Additional fresh strawberries
So few ingredients for such a unique result!
Step-by-Step Instructions: Grilling Angel Food Cake Perfection
Let’s get grilling! This comes together incredibly fast:
1. Macerate the Strawberries:
In a small bowl, gently toss the sliced fresh strawberries with the 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Set aside while you prepare the cake. This allows the strawberries to release their natural juices and create a light syrup.
2. Prepare the Balsamic Butter:
In another small bowl, mix the melted butter and the balsamic vinegar together until combined.
3. Prepare the Cake Slices:
Take your 8 slices of angel food cake (about 1-inch thick).
Using a pastry brush, brush the balsamic-butter mixture over both cut sides of each cake slice.
4. Grill the Cake:
Preheat your grill (outdoor or indoor) to medium heat. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly greased (you can use cooking spray or an oil-soaked paper towel held with tongs).
Place the balsamic-butter brushed cake slices on the greased grill rack.
Grill, uncovered, until golden brown grill marks appear and the edges are slightly crisp, about 1-2 minutes per side. Watch carefully! Angel food cake grills very quickly due to its airy texture and sugar content.
Use tongs or a spatula to carefully flip the slices and grill the other side for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
5. Assemble and Serve:
Remove the grilled cake slices from the grill.
Serve immediately while warm. Top each slice with a generous portion of the macerated strawberries and their juices.
If desired, add a scoop of reduced-fat vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of blueberry syrup alongside or on top. Enjoy this delightful contrast of warm and cool!
Troubleshooting: Grilling Without Burning
Grilling cake can be tricky if you’re not careful:
Problem: Cake is Sticking to the Grill
Cause: Grill grates weren’t clean or properly greased; heat too low initially. Solution: Thoroughly clean grates before preheating. Grease the grates well just before adding the cake. Ensure grill is preheated to medium.
Problem: Cake is Burning
Cause: Grill heat is too high; cake left on too long. Solution: Use medium heat, not high. Angel food cake is delicate and sugary. Watch constantly – 1-2 minutes per side is usually sufficient. Move slices to a cooler part of the grill if needed.
Problem: Cake is Dry After Grilling
Cause: Grilled for too long; not enough balsamic-butter glaze applied. Solution: Grill only until golden marks appear and edges are crisp (1-2 mins/side). Ensure both sides of the cake slices are adequately brushed with the butter mixture.
Problem: Strawberries are Too Watery/Not Sweet Enough Solution: Let strawberries macerate longer to release more juice if desired. Add a touch more sugar if berries are very tart. Drain slightly if preferred less juicy.
Tips and Variations: Playing with Fire (and Flavor!)
Make this grilled treat your own:
- Grill Marks: For distinct grill marks, ensure the grill is hot enough and don’t move the cake slices once placed until ready to flip.
- Different Cake: Try this with slices of pound cake (will take slightly longer to grill) or even thick-sliced brioche.
- Glaze Variations: Swap balsamic for lime juice + honey, or simply use melted butter with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
- Fruit Variations: Grilled peaches, pineapple rings, or nectarines would be fantastic instead of strawberries. You can even grill the fruit alongside the cake!
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of black pepper or a tiny pinch of cayenne to the balsamic butter for a surprising kick.
- Serving: Add a dollop of mascarpone cheese or Greek yogurt instead of ice cream.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions: Warm, Smoky, Sweet Finale
This dessert is best enjoyed immediately:
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm, right off the grill.
- Arrange grilled cake slices on plates, top generously with macerated strawberries and their juices.
- Add ice cream/whipped cream and optional syrup alongside or on top.
- Perfect ending for a barbecue or summer dinner party.
Pairing Suggestions:
- Beverages: Iced coffee, iced tea, lemonade, or a glass of rosé wine.
- After: A digestif like limoncello or amaretto would pair nicely.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, as of March 27, 2025)
Here’s the breakdown per serving (1 cake slice with ¼ cup strawberries, without optional ice cream/syrup):
- Calories: 132
- Fat: 5g (3g saturated fat)
- Cholesterol: 11mg
- Sodium: 247mg – Note: Angel food cake can be higher in sodium.
- Carbohydrate: 22g (4g sugars, 1g fiber) – Sugar seems low, likely refers to added sugar only.
- Protein: 2g
This information is based on the provided nutrition facts. It’s a relatively light dessert option, especially without the optional ice cream.
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Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
Description
This Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries is such a fun and unexpectedly delicious dessert! I absolutely love how grilling transforms the light, airy texture of angel food cake, giving it slightly crisp, caramelized edges and a wonderful warmth.
Ingredients
Here’s your quick checklist for this grilled delight:
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 8 slices angel food cake (about 1 ounce each / 1-inch thick)
Optional for Serving:
- Reduced-fat vanilla ice cream
- Blueberry syrup
- Additional fresh strawberries
So few ingredients for such a unique result!
Instructions
Let’s get grilling! This comes together incredibly fast:
1. Macerate the Strawberries:
In a small bowl, gently toss the sliced fresh strawberries with the 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Set aside while you prepare the cake. This allows the strawberries to release their natural juices and create a light syrup.
2. Prepare the Balsamic Butter:
In another small bowl, mix the melted butter and the balsamic vinegar together until combined.
3. Prepare the Cake Slices:
Take your 8 slices of angel food cake (about 1-inch thick).
Using a pastry brush, brush the balsamic-butter mixture over both cut sides of each cake slice.
4. Grill the Cake:
Preheat your grill (outdoor or indoor) to medium heat. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly greased (you can use cooking spray or an oil-soaked paper towel held with tongs).
Place the balsamic-butter brushed cake slices on the greased grill rack.
Grill, uncovered, until golden brown grill marks appear and the edges are slightly crisp, about 1-2 minutes per side. Watch carefully! Angel food cake grills very quickly due to its airy texture and sugar content.
Use tongs or a spatula to carefully flip the slices and grill the other side for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
5. Assemble and Serve:
Remove the grilled cake slices from the grill.
Serve immediately while warm. Top each slice with a generous portion of the macerated strawberries and their juices.
If desired, add a scoop of reduced-fat vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of blueberry syrup alongside or on top. Enjoy this delightful contrast of warm and cool!
Recipe Summary and Q&A: Your Guide to Grilled Cake
Let’s recap this unique and delicious Grilled Angel Food Cake!
Summary: This recipe involves brushing slices of angel food cake with a balsamic-butter mixture and grilling them briefly until warm and slightly crisp. The grilled cake is then served topped with simple macerated strawberries, creating a delightful contrast of warm/cool, sweet/tangy, and soft/crisp textures.
Q&A:
Q: Can I use homemade angel food cake?
A: Absolutely! Homemade angel food cake would be wonderful here. Just ensure it’s fully cooled before slicing and grilling.
Q: What if I don’t have a grill?
A: You can use a grill pan on the stovetop over medium heat. You can also achieve a similar (though less smoky) effect by briefly pan-frying the brushed cake slices in a skillet or even toasting them under the broiler (watch very carefully!).
Q: Does the balsamic vinegar taste strong?
A: When mixed with butter and grilled, the balsamic vinegar mellows considerably. It adds a pleasant tang and depth that complements the sweet cake and strawberries, rather than tasting sharply vinegary.
Q: How far ahead can I make this? A: This dessert is best assembled and served immediately after grilling the cake for the best warm/cool contrast and texture. You can macerate the strawberries and mix the balsamic butter a few hours ahead.