Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers are a quick and easy summer dessert made with fresh strawberries, fluffy pound cake, and a quick trip to the grill for a lightly toasted finish. This fun strawberry shortcake recipe is perfect for BBQs, parties, and warm-weather entertaining when you want a simple dessert without turning on the oven.
Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers are a quick and easy summer dessert made with juicy strawberries, fluffy pound cake, and a quick trip to the grill. This fun no-bake strawberry shortcake recipe is perfect for summer BBQs, parties, and warm-weather entertaining.
If you love classic strawberry shortcake but do not want to turn on the oven, this recipe is for you. These Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers come together in minutes thanks to store-bought pound cake, and the grill gives the cake a lightly toasted, golden finish that tastes incredible with fresh strawberries. They are simple, festive, and always a hit at summer gatherings.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to prep ahead. You can assemble the skewers earlier in the day, store them in the fridge, and then toss them on the grill right before serving. That makes them perfect for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, backyard cookouts, or casual family dinners when you want an easy dessert that still feels special.
These strawberry shortcake skewers are also great for kids and adults alike. Serve them with whipped topping or sweetened whipped cream for dipping, or dress them up with chocolate or a splash of liqueur for a fun twist. Either way, they disappear fast.
What I Love About This Recipe
- This is a true no-bake summer dessert that keeps the kitchen cool while still delivering big flavor. The grill does all the work and adds a lightly toasted finish to the cake that tastes amazing.
- Using frozen pound cake makes this recipe quick, reliable, and stress-free, especially when you need a dessert in a hurry for a party or cookout.
- The skewers are easy to prep ahead, making them perfect for entertaining when you want something simple but still impressive.
- Fresh strawberries paired with warm cake and cool whipped cream create the perfect balance of textures and flavors in every bite.
Equipment You May Need
- Grill – Set to medium-low heat for lightly toasting the cake without burning it.
- Wooden Skewers – Small skewers work best for bite-size portions.
- Large Knife – For slicing the pound cake and trimming the strawberries.
- Small Bowl – To soak the wooden skewers before grilling.
Ingredients
- Frozen Pound Cake (thawed) – A convenient base that cuts easily into cubes and grills beautifully without falling apart.
- Fresh Strawberries – Sweet, juicy strawberries add classic strawberry shortcake flavor and balance the warm cake.
- Whipped Topping or Sweetened Whipped Cream – Perfect for dipping and adding a creamy finish to each skewer.
- Wooden Skewers – Needed to assemble and grill the shortcake skewers safely.
How to Make Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers
Step One: Prep the Cake
Slice the thawed pound cake into 8 slices, then cut each slice into 8 cubes to make 64 cake cubes total.
Step Two: Soak Skewers
Place the wooden skewers in a small bowl of water and let them soak for at least 5 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
Step Three: Prep Strawberries
Wash the strawberries thoroughly and cut off the stems, keeping the berries whole for easy skewering.
Step Four: Assemble Skewers
Thread one cake cube onto a skewer, followed by a strawberry, then another cake cube. Repeat until all skewers are assembled.
Step Five: Grill and Serve
Preheat the grill to medium-low heat. Grill the skewers for about 1–2 minutes per side until the cake is lightly toasted and golden. Serve warm with whipped topping or sweetened whipped cream for dipping.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the grilled strawberry shortcake skewers warm right off the grill with a bowl of whipped topping or freshly whipped cream for dipping.
- Add a drizzle of chocolate sauce or strawberry sauce over the skewers for an extra dessert-style presentation.
- Pair these skewers with vanilla ice cream for an easy upgrade that turns them into a plated summer dessert.
- Set them out on a platter for BBQs, potlucks, or Fourth of July parties since they are easy to grab and eat.
- For adults, serve alongside a dessert cocktail or add a splash of liqueur to the whipped cream for a fun twist.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Make sure the pound cake is fully thawed before slicing so you get clean, even cubes that stay together on the skewers.
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 5–10 minutes so they do not burn or catch fire on the grill.
- Keep the grill at medium-low heat and watch closely because the cake can go from lightly toasted to burnt very quickly.
- Do not walk away while grilling; rotate the skewers every 1–2 minutes so all sides of the cake brown evenly without drying out.
- Prep the skewers ahead of time and grill them just before serving so the cake is slightly warm and the strawberries stay fresh and juicy.
Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers FAQ
How should I store Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers?
Store assembled but ungrilled skewers covered in the refrigerator for up to one day. If already grilled, store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate.
Can I freeze Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers?
Freezing is not recommended since strawberries release moisture when thawed and the texture will change.
How long will Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers last?
They are best enjoyed the same day, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Substitutions?
You can use angel food cake, vanilla cake, or sponge cake instead of pound cake. Other berries like raspberries or pineapple chunks also work well.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Yes, low-fat whipped topping or light whipped cream works just fine in this recipe.
What else can I add to this recipe?
Try adding melted chocolate, chocolate chips mixed into the whipped cream, or a splash of liqueur like amaretto or Grand Marnier for an adult twist.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – This would be a tough one to make vegan, but you can try using a vegan cake and whipped topping.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian.
Low-Carb – Use a sugar-free or low-carb cake as well as a sugar-free whipped topping.
Gluten-Free -Try a gluten-free cake.
Hope you enjoy these Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers! You may also like these Mini Strawberry Shortcakes and Strawberry Pie Dip!
Mini Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 (10.75 oz.) frozen pound cake , THAWED
- 32 small fresh strawberries
- Whipped topping or sweetened whipped cream
- Also needed: 32 small wooden skewers
Instructions
- Slice thawed cake into 8 slices then cut each slice into 8 cubes, for a total of 64 cake cubes.
- Place wooden skewers in small bowl of water and let soak at least 5 minutes.
- Wash strawberries, and cut off stems.
- Skewer shortcakes by placing a cake cube onto the skewer, followed by a strawberry, and another cake cube.
- Preheat grill to medium low heat. Grill skewers about 1-2 minutes per side or until cake is toasted and golden brown. Serve with whipped topping or sweetened whipped cream for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure you thaw the cake ahead of time.
- For another fun twist, add a little chocolate or your favorite liqueur to the whipped cream or whipped topping.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
Michele Ramsey says
I love doin shortcake skewers! I like to use strawberries with white and yellow peaches alternated with my cake cubes. One extra thing we love, I brush all sides of each cube of cake with sweetened condensed milk to make a beautiful carmelized crust. Angel food cake or pound cake are both AMAZING this way!! Let me know when you try it!!!