Remember that Dixie Plate commercial that emphasized how we don’t have time to spend with family, so to make time, we should use disposable Dixie plates instead of laboring away at washing dishes?
Well, most people probably don’t have the funds to afford a lifetime supply of Dixie plates or have the conscience to consume so much paper products, regardless of whether they’re recyclable or not. So to make time for our loved ones, particularly around the upcoming holiday times, why not cut down on the amount of time spent cooking but still create sumptuous dishes?
One of the easier cooking utensils I’ve found is a faux grill that I can place on top of my stove-top. And there’s no better way to use a grill than to make grilled desserts.
The following are some easy, yummy, and kid-friendly ways to make various versions of the Grilled Angel Food Cake Extraordinaire that can make any holiday or occasion hassle-free! You might even want to try it for upcoming Labor Day.
Two ways to make the Angel Food:
1. Buy a pre-packaged loaf of angel food cake from your local grocery store.
2. Take any angel food cake mix (ex. Betty Crocker), and follow the directions on the box.
Grilling the Angel Food Cake:
Ingredients: melted butter, angel food cake
1. Cut up the loaf of angel food cake into generous slices.
2. Lightly brush each side with melted butter. There’s no need to drench your angel food cake in fat.
3. Place the angel food cake onto a hot grill, and grill each side until they both form nice golden brown grill marks.
You can do this either with the butter or without the butter. If you choose not to use butter, be wary of browning your angel food cake faster. And though I generally use olive oil or other healthier oils in my cooking, I allow myself butter in this case as I prefer a creamier taste in my dessert to a nuttier one.
1. Place a scoop or two ice cream or ice cream substitute on top of the warm grilled angel food cake.
2. Place whatever other toppings you’d like on top of your Grilled Angel Food Cake Ice Cream Sundae.
Strawberry Topping 1:
Ingredients: strawberry jam, fresh or frozen chopped strawberries, vanilla extract, water
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, pour in a jar of strawberry jam. Let it simmer for about five minutes.
2. Add water to the saucepan. (about 1/8 cup of water for every 1 cup of jam) Add fresh or frozen chopped strawberries to the saucepan. (about ¼ cup of strawberries for every 1 cup of jam). Add vanilla extract. (about ½ teaspoon for every cup of jam and ¼ cup of strawberries used)
3. Stir the mixture together until it begins to form small bubbles at the surface. This indicates the mixture is warm enough. If the mixture seems to be getting a little clunky, add a little bit more water. And if you like extremely sweet desserts, you may add sugar to your liking, though I find the jam to contain enough sugar to my liking.
4. Serve this over your grilled angel food cake with or without ice cream and whipped topping.
Strawberry Topping 2:
Ingredients: fresh or frozen chopped strawberries, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, water
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the strawberries, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and water. (about 1/3 cup of sugar, 3/8 cup of water, 1 ¾ teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon for every 2 cups of chopped strawberries)
2. Stir the mixture together until small bubbles form at the surface.
3. Serve this over your grilled angel food cake with or without ice cream and whipped topping.
Of course with the fruit toppings, you can substitute strawberries with blueberries or raspberries. And if you’re into a creamier cake, feel free to substitute with a pound cake as well.
I hope you find these recipes as easy as the Jackson 5’s find the ABC’s. And there’s no better way to enjoy an easy grilled dessert than to enjoy this simple dish on Labor Day, a day meant to be work-free.
