If you are looking for a refreshingly sweet and utterly charming dessert, let me introduce you to the Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe. This delightful treat captures everything you love about classic strawberry shortcake but in a fun, bite-sized form that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or a simple family dessert. Juicy strawberries, fluffy angel food cake cubes, and luscious whipped cream come together on skewers to create an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. It’s incredibly easy to make, visually stunning, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays an essential role in building layers of sweetness, fluffiness, and freshness that balance perfectly. From the freshness of the strawberries to the silky smooth whipped cream, every component adds something special to these strawberry shortcake kabobs.
- Fresh strawberries: Use bright, ripe berries for maximum juiciness and natural sweetness.
- Angel food cake: Its airy texture soaks up the strawberry juices without becoming soggy.
- Heavy whipping cream: This is the base for the homemade whipped cream, adding richness and creaminess.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream delicately without any graininess.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, fragrant notes that complement the fruit perfectly.
- Wooden skewers: Essential for assembling the kabobs and making them easy to handle.
- Fresh mint leaves (optional): A pop of green for garnish that adds a refreshing contrast.
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the whipped cream
The secret to light and fluffy whipped cream starts with chilling your bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes. This simple step ensures the cream whips up quickly and holds its shape beautifully. Pour the heavy cream into the chilled bowl, add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip to keep the cream silky and smooth.
Step 2: Prep the strawberries and cake
While the cream chills, rinse the strawberries under cold water, then pat them dry gently. Hull each strawberry and slice it in half to create the perfect size for skewering. Meanwhile, cut your angel food cake into 1-inch cubes using a serrated knife for clean edges. These cake cubes will add that classic fluffiness to your kabobs.
Step 3: Assemble the kabobs
Now for the fun part! Take your wooden skewers and begin threading them by starting with a strawberry half, cut side facing up. Next, slide on a cube of angel food cake. Alternate between strawberries and cake until the skewer is filled, making sure to end with another strawberry half for a pretty finish. Depending on skewer length, expect to make around 10 to 12 kabobs.
Step 4: Chill and present
Place your assembled kabobs neatly on a serving platter or stand them upright in a glass for an eye-catching display. Store the fresh whipped cream in the fridge until ready to serve alongside for dipping. A simple mint leaf garnish will elevate the presentation nicely.
How to Serve Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh mint leaves not only add vivid color but also a refreshing herbal touch that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the kabobs. A light dusting of powdered sugar over the assembled kabobs can add a delicate finishing touch that looks just like a morning frost.
Side Dishes
These kabobs pair wonderfully with a chilled glass of sparkling lemonade or an iced tea for a light, summery vibe. If you want to keep it indulgent, serve them alongside a small bowl of mixed berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn this into a dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, try arranging your Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe upright in mason jars filled with a little sugar or decorative beads to keep them steady. Another fun idea is to drape a ribbon around the platter’s edge for a festive touch or serve the kabobs on a rustic wooden board alongside small bowls of whipped cream and extra strawberries.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover kabobs, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. For best freshness, enjoy them within 24 hours since the cake can start to absorb moisture and lose its texture, and strawberries may release extra juice.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for the assembled kabobs, as the cake and strawberries can become soggy and unpleasant once thawed. However, you can freeze extra angel food cake cubes separately in an airtight container for up to 3 months and thaw them before making new kabobs.
Reheating
Since this dessert is best served chilled, reheating is unnecessary. If you prefer a softer cake texture, allow any stored cake cubes to come to room temperature before assembling your kabobs fresh.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cake for the kabobs?
Absolutely! While angel food cake is traditional for its lightness, sponge cake or pound cake can work too. Just keep in mind they may add a denser texture, altering the overall mouthfeel slightly.
How can I make the whipped cream sweeter or less sweet?
You can easily adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of powdered sugar. Start with less, then taste and add more if desired. Using vanilla extract also adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
Can I prepare these kabobs in advance for a party?
You can prep the skewers a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated, but it’s best to wait to assemble or add whipped cream right before serving to maintain optimal freshness and texture.
What alternatives can I use if I don’t have fresh strawberries?
Other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or sliced kiwi work beautifully and offer their own burst of color and flavor, making your kabobs even more vibrant.
Is it okay to use store-bought whipped cream instead of making it from scratch?
Sure! Store-bought whipped cream saves time and works fine. That said, homemade whipped cream tends to be fresher, more flavorful, and customizable in sweetness.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe is one of those magical desserts that feels special yet comes together effortlessly. I love serving it because it’s both beautiful and delicious, making every bite a little celebration. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert fix or a charming treat to wow your guests, this recipe is a winner you’ll want to keep coming back to.
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Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 kabobs
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs are a fun and easy dessert perfect for parties or a special treat. Featuring fresh strawberries, airy angel food cake cubes, and a luscious homemade whipped cream, these kabobs are quick to prepare and visually appealing. Served with a side of sweetened vanilla whipped cream and optional fresh mint garnish, they combine classic flavors in a fresh and playful presentation.
Ingredients
Fruits
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
Cake
- 1 pound angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Other
- Wooden skewers (6-inch or 8-inch)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Chill Equipment: Place your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to chill; this helps the cream whip faster and achieve better volume.
- Prepare Whipped Cream: Pour 1 cup of heavy whipping cream into the chilled bowl. Add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until soft peaks form, being careful not to overwhip. Set aside in the refrigerator to keep cold.
- Prepare Strawberries: Rinse the strawberries under cold water and pat dry. Hull the strawberries by removing green tops and slice them in half.
- Cut Cake: Using a serrated knife, carefully cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes, ensuring even sizes for uniform kabobs.
- Assemble Kabobs: Take a wooden skewer and thread a strawberry half onto it with the cut side facing up. Add an angel food cake cube gently, pushing down but without squashing. Alternate pieces of strawberry halves and cake cubes until the skewer is filled, ending with a strawberry half. Repeat this for all the skewers until ingredients are used, making about 10-12 kabobs total.
- Presentation: Place the finished kabobs on a platter or stand them upright in a glass for an elegant display.
- Serve: Serve the whipped cream on the side for dipping. Garnish the platter with fresh mint leaves for an optional fresh touch.
Notes
- Chilling your bowl and beaters is crucial for making fluffy whipped cream.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Angel food cake is preferred for its light and airy texture, complementing the fruit perfectly.
- Be careful not to overwhip the cream as it can turn grainy and start to separate.
- These kabobs are best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours prior to serving.
- To make it easier to eat, consider slicing bigger strawberries into smaller pieces.
