The hot summer season is full of days made for grilling. And we’re grilling up everything from appetizers to desserts.
For this recipe, we’re focusing on grilling some fruit and shortcake. The sweet fruit flavor intensifies as grilling caramelizes the natural sugars. Have you tried grilling fruit? Once you try it, you’ll be adding fruit to every future barbeque.
Blackberry Season
July and August are high summer for most of the country. And you’ll find blackberries are plump, ripe, and cheapest in the summer months.
In-season fruit is full of vitamins and minerals that support your overall health.
Just about any fruit can go on the grill and would work in this recipe. Just make sure your fruit is not overripe and too soft.
How to Grill Blackberries
Small fruit = skewered fruit
Since blackberries are small, thread them on 10- to 12-inch skewers to keep them from falling through the grates. If you’re using a larger fruit, like peaches, cut them into large chunks or slices. Larger fruit pieces keep their structure better when placed over the flames.
Prepare the grill
Before placing your fruit on the grill, clean the grates. Then, heat it to medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes. The clean, hot grill helps minimize stickiness and gives a more even cook.
Toss the fruit
Mixing the berries with a small amount of sugar and liquid gives the surface of the fruit a gorgeous caramelized look and an even richer taste. For this recipe, we used honey and bourbon. But you could also substitute maple syrup for the sweetness and water in place of the alcohol.
Let it be
Let the berries sit over the flame for a few minutes before turning and checking for grill marks. The fruit skewers need time to sear so it doesn’t stick. Blackberries won’t take long to sear and soften.
But denser fruits, like pineapple, need more time and you might try closing the lid for a few minutes at a time.
How to Grill Shortcake
Angel food cake is an excellent candidate for the grill. The cake is dense for the hot flames. Yet, it stays moist and tender on the inside.
Plus, there’s really no reason to bake angel food cake from scratch (unless you want to have fun whipping up egg whites), since every grocery store in America sells it, especially during summer months.
Slice the cake into 1 – 1-½ inch thick pieces and then put them on the grill for 2 minutes per side. The heat gives a slightly crunchy caramelized sear that impresses everyone.
The Whipped Cream
For a dairy-free whipped cream, here is a whipped cream recipe using aquafaba that comes together in less than five minutes. We have also tried So Delicious Whipped Topping made from coconut milk, and enjoy the super rich mouthfeel with a sweet coconut flavor.
Serving the Blackberry Shortcake
Place a slice of the grilled cake onto a plate. Slide blackberries off the skewer and top the cake with the grilled fruit. Then top with a dollop of whipped cream.
You’ll keep coming back to this dessert. It’s all so good – the warmed, grilled cake topped with sweet fruit and creamy topping!
Recipe:
With very little prep and time in the kitchen, this grilled blackberry shortcake is a super-easy, yet impressive summertime dessert.
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 2 pints blackberries
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon bourbon or water
- 1-12 oz Angel Food Cake, sliced
- Whipped topping of choice
Directions
- Place the blackberries on a piece of foil. In a small bowl, stir together the honey and bourbon. Drizzle the berries with the honey mixture. Thread blackberries on to skewers.
- Grill the blackberries over medium-high direct heat for about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside; keep warm.
- Place the sliced angel food cake on the grill and cook for 3 minutes each side or until golden brown with grill marks.
- Serve each slice with some blackberries and whipped cream.
Check out our other grill related dessert recipes; such as smoked cheesecake and Fudge Brownies on the Grill!
Grilled Blackberry Shortcake
Equipment
- Grill; gas or electric
- Foil
- BBQ tongs
Ingredients
- 2 pints Fresh Blackberries
- 1/2 cup Honey Can substitute with maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp Bourbon Can substitute with water
- 1 12 ounce Angel Food Cake
- Whipped Topping of choice
Instructions
- Place the blackberries on a piece of foil. In a small bowl, stir together the honey and bourbon. Drizzle the berries with the honey mixture. Thread blackberries onto skewers.
- Grill the blackberries over medium-high direct heat for about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside; keep warm.
- Place the sliced angel food cake on the grill and cook for 3 minutes each side or until golden brown with grill marks.
- Serve each slice with some blackberries and whipped cream.