Store-bought angel food cake is grilled and topped with balsamic and black pepper-soaked strawberries and fresh whipped cream for an easy, but impressive summer dessert and unique spin on strawberry shortcake.
I believe in the power of positive thinking. To manifest your reality. Put it out to the universe. Karma. Kismet. Build it and they will come.
My husband tells me all of the time how it works for him. He’ll think to himself that he’d really like to work with a new client. A client who does X rather than Y and wouldn’t that be swell to hear from someone like that. Yeah, swell.
He thinks it to himself. Out loud too. Somewhere, out there, they hear. Then they listen. And then they call. You’d be surprised how often this actually happens. I usually am.
Over the years I’ve taken his philosophy to heart. It’s not a unique process to live your life with the extra intentions of positive thinking, but boy, it sure feels good to know you’re contributing some control to all of those outer forces.
My word for 2015 is Enough. I shared it and a few goals for the year in my post about reSolutions. Now, here we are with ¼ of the year done and done, and I’m looking back and taking stock. If I don’t hold myself accountable who will?
I’m just putting that out there.
Simple is the New Black
Simplifying in a variety of ways were tops on my list for 2015 and both diet and time figured prominently. This 5-ingredient dessert fits both mantras. Minimal ingredients and maximum flavor with each low calorie bite.
I’m a busy working mom. I’m a food blogger, but all of my time is not spent in the kitchen. Ironic? Maybe. Reality? Yes. Maybe I could put it out there and poundcake would come. More likely not. But if it did, this recipe this recipe is the one I’d try.
Using poundcake for my shortcake has been my standard for years and this style of stawberry shortcake has been my go-to for hosting dinner parties after spending the rest of the night cooking, making more time for cavorting.
Instead of homemade, I bought a store bought version. No shame there. I made the pound cake more memorable with a spin on the grill, to build up and soak in a little smoky char and texture. A slather of butter made it caramel-ly crisp. Something I discovered when I made this incredible grilled cheese that is a dessert double agent.
Back in the day I’d use that fake red goop to add moisture to the shortcake. You know, the stuff you find in a bottle sitting next to the fresh berries, marketed to overworked moms (both hands raised!) to solve their dessert dilemmas.
Instead of red goop, these strawberries are soaked for a quick bath in balsamic vinegar and freshly ground black pepper. No need for extra sugar, the vinegar enhances the fresh berries sweetness and the pepper accentuates it even more.
There you have it. I put it out there. I’ve built it. And you will come.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Strawberry Shortcakes With Balsamic Vinegar
Ingredients
- 3 cups strawberries , sliced
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- freshly ground black pepper
- 4-6 pieces of angel food cake , cut about 1-inch thick
- 1-2 tablespoons butter
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Mix the strawberries, balsamic vinegar and a pinch or two of freshly cracked black pepper in a small bowl and marinate for about 15 minutes.
- Butter the cut slices of the angel food cake with butter. Heat an outdoor or stovetop grill until hot and cook the cake slices on both sides until golden.
- Transfer the cake slices to serving plates and top with a scoop of the strawberries and drizzle with the marinade. Top with whipped cream and add more freshly ground black pepper if desired.
More Homemade Cake Recipes to Try
- The BEST Carrot Cake
- Confetti Cake with Buttercream Frosting
- Devil’s Food Bundt Cake with Chocolate Espresso Ganache
- German Chocolate Cake
- Blueberry Buckle Recipe with Lemon Glaze
- Vanilla and Chocolate Marbled Bundt Cake
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This post is in partnership with Cache Valley Cheese. As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.
Karen
Can’t wait to make this but am confused. You talk about pound cake but the recipe says angel food. Quite a different in calorie count. Would they both work?
Iris Kirkland
It’s 12:23 am. Sunday Morning. If I am up this late, which is rare when I have to be at work at 7:00am. I usually get hungry around 1:00am. But then I came across this post and I am hungry now. I must try this!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Strawberries with balsamic is the best, I love this dessert!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
It sounds wonderful to me! I am pretty much addicted to balsamic vinegar…would you believe I have an entire cabinet filled with olive oils and various balsamics? LOL I can’t help myself. Pinning to try this!
Sharana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog
OH MY YUMMM — I definitely need to make these as soon as possible, how perfect would this be, after a bar-be-que dinner?! Yuumm!
Saunier
This recipe looks delicious :)
kelley
I always tell myself and anyone who will listen really, that you just have to be good enough. Letting go, allowing yourself to be enough is the foundation of living simply and fully. Love the dessert, btw!!
Kelly
Great riff on strawberry shortcake and I love your word of year. Thanks!
Trish
Strawberry short cakes are my favorite dessert! This just takes them to that next level. Love it!
Sarah | Broma Bakery
I completely agree that simple is the way to go, in life and in food. And if something this gorgeous can come out of 5 ingredients, what more could you need?! Pinned and salivating :)
heidi
I’m sure you would have baked the pound cake from scratch, but that’s what I depend on blogs like yours for :)!
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food
Grilling angel food? Yes, please! ;)
Erin@WellPlated
I really do believe in positive thinking too. I should try the outloud expression more too—starting with asking for this shortcake to manifest itself for dessert tonight (or lunch?)
Suzy Bowler
What an utterly lovely combo – especially with the black pepper too! I make strawberry balsamic ripple ice cream and strawberry and black pepper ice cream but think I try the two together!
Lovely photos too – thank you!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
Love this unique take on Strawberry Shortcake…love that you buy the pound cake for this recipe. That so made my day. :)
heidi
Thanks Allie, it usually makes mine too. But I do want to become a pound cake force to be reckoned with at some point.