How to Make Perfect Strawberry Shortcake Skewers in 15 Minutes
Strawberry shortcake skewers take just 10 minutes to prep and offer a delicious twist on the classic dessert. I first made these colorful treats for a 4th of July gathering, and they were an instant hit with everyone.
Besides being quick to assemble, these strawberry shortcake kabobs come with another bonus—no dessert plates to wash afterward. You can also prepare them up to 8 hours in advance and simply refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Whether you prefer using pound cake, angel food cake, or white cake as your base, these dessert skewers are incredibly versatile. Additionally, you can elevate your strawberry shortcake on a stick by drizzling with white chocolate or even milk chocolate for an extra touch of sweetness.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create perfect strawberry shortcake kabobs in minutes, along with creative variations and helpful serving tips for your next gathering.
What You Need to Make Strawberry Shortcake Skewers
Gathering the right ingredients and tools for strawberry shortcake skewers ensures this simple dessert comes together quickly. Let me walk you through everything you’ll need to create these delightful treats.
Strawberries and how to prep them
Look for strawberries that are deep red from top to bottom with a sweet aroma and no soft spots. Fresh strawberries are the star of this dessert, so proper preparation is crucial. To hull strawberries, insert the tip of a paring knife at a slight angle around the base of the stem, then gently cut around it to remove the green stem and a small portion of the core. Try to select berries of similar size so they look uniform on your skewers. Depending on your preference, you can either use whole strawberries or cut them in half or into thirds of equal size.
Best cake options: pound cake, angel food, or shortcake
Pound cake is often the preferred option for strawberry shortcake skewers because it holds together better when cut into cubes. Nevertheless, angel food cake and store-bought shortcake work wonderfully too. For best results, cut your cake into 1-inch cubes. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might even try using brownies or doughnut holes as alternatives. Essentially, you’ll need about one pound of strawberries for each pound cake, which typically yields around 18 kabobs.
Optional toppings: whipped cream, white chocolate, sprinkles
White chocolate drizzle adds an elegant touch to your strawberry shortcake skewers. Simply melt white chocolate chips in a small pan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Furthermore, you can use milk or dark chocolate if you prefer a different flavor profile. Whipped cream is another classic option – use store-bought or make your own with heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. For special occasions, colorful sprinkles can make your dessert skewers even more festive.
Tools: skewers, knife, cutting board
The basic tools needed include wooden skewers (6-inch or 8-inch work well), a sharp knife, and a cutting board. Specifically, you’ll need approximately 16-18 skewers to make a full batch. If using wooden skewers, there’s no need to soak them first since this is a no-bake dessert. Additionally, having a plate or tray for serving and parchment paper for assembly will make the process smoother. If you plan to drizzle chocolate, a plastic bag with the corner snipped off serves as a perfect impromptu piping tool.
Step-by-Step: How to Assemble the Skewers
Creating perfect strawberry shortcake skewers is all about technique and patience. The assembly process might seem straightforward, but a few key steps will elevate your dessert from simple to stunning. Let me guide you through the exact process I use to create these delightful treats.
Cutting the cake and strawberries evenly
Consistency is crucial for both presentation and easy eating. For the cake, cut it into 1-1.5 inch cubes that match the size of your strawberries. This uniform sizing ensures balanced bites and makes threading onto skewers much easier. For strawberries, first wash and thoroughly dry them. Remove the green tops (hulls), then either use them whole (for smaller berries) or cut them in half across the middle. Some recipes recommend cutting larger strawberries into quarters after sugaring them slightly to enhance their natural sweetness. Moreover, for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, you can even shape strawberries into hearts by making two diagonal slits at the top.
Layering the ingredients on the skewer
Now comes the fun part—building your strawberry shortcake skewers. Start by threading a piece of cake onto the skewer, followed by a strawberry. Repeat this pattern 2-3 times per skewer, creating an alternating pattern. For stability, many chefs recommend starting and ending with strawberries to help keep everything on the stick. A typical pattern might be: strawberry, cake cube, strawberry, cake cube, strawberry. You can also add marshmallows between layers for extra sweetness and visual appeal. Each skewer should have about 3 strawberry sections and 2 cake cubes for perfect balance.
Drizzling with chocolate or adding whipped cream
Once assembled, place your skewers on parchment paper. For chocolate drizzle, melt white chocolate chips in a small pan over low heat, stirring constantly. Alternatively, use a microwave, heating in 30-second intervals. After melting, transfer the chocolate to a plastic bag and snip off a tiny corner to create an impromptu piping tool. Drizzle in a zigzag pattern across all skewers. For whipped cream, either add a dollop just before serving or serve it on the side in a small bowl for dipping.
Chilling before serving
Refrigeration is essential for these treats. Chill your completed strawberry shortcake skewers for at least 10-30 minutes before serving. This sets the chocolate drizzle and helps all flavors meld together perfectly. If preparing in advance, you can assemble these up to several hours beforehand, but it’s best to add any whipped cream just before serving to prevent it from melting or soaking into the cake.
Creative Variations to Try
The beauty of dessert skewers lies in their endless customization possibilities. Once you’ve mastered the basic strawberry shortcake skewer, you’ll find that creative variations can transform this simple treat into something truly special for any occasion.
Using different fruits like blueberries or kiwi
While strawberries are the traditional choice, certainly other fruits work beautifully on these dessert skewers. Firstly, consider berries like raspberries and blueberries for a mixed berry approach. Alternatively, tropical fruits add exotic flair—try mango chunks, pineapple pieces, or kiwi slices. In fact, fruits like peaches, watermelon, and grapes create vibrant color combinations. For best results, choose firm fruits that won’t fall apart when skewered. Furthermore, you might try seasonal combinations like cantaloupe with strawberries and kiwi. Generally speaking, any fruit that’s ripe and in season will create wonderful flavor profiles.
Swapping cake for brownies or doughnut holes
Beyond traditional pound cake, various alternatives can make your strawberry shortcake skewers uniquely delicious. Instead of standard cake, try fudge brownies cut into bite-sized cubes for a chocolate-berry combination. Given their consistent texture, glazed doughnut pieces offer another sweet foundation. Meanwhile, angel food cake provides a lighter option that complements fresh fruits perfectly. Coconut pound cake adds a tropical twist that pairs particularly well with grilled fruit variations. Above all, choose a base that holds its shape when skewered while complementing your chosen fruits.
Making red, white, and blue kabobs for holidays
Patriotic dessert skewers make perfect treats for summer celebrations. During holidays like the 4th of July, assemble red, white, and blue combinations using strawberries, cake cubes, and blueberries. To create these festive kabobs, begin by sliding a strawberry onto the skewer, followed by cake, then blueberries. Aside from blueberries, blackberries can provide the blue element. For added visual appeal, use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to create watermelon stars as decorative toppers. Undoubtedly, these colorful creations are consistently a “major hit” with both children and adults.
Turning them into parfaits or dessert cups
Rather than serving on skewers, the same ingredients can create stunning layered desserts. Consequently, you can transform your strawberry shortcake components into elegant parfaits by layering everything in a jar or glass. In addition, dessert cups offer individual servings that eliminate the need for skewers altogether. Particularly for young children, these parfait-style presentations might be easier to eat. Coupled with a drizzle of white chocolate or a dollop of whipped cream, these dessert cups become show-stopping treats for any gathering.
Tips for Making Ahead and Serving
Planning ahead is one of the biggest advantages of strawberry shortcake skewers. These delightful treats can simplify your party prep while still impressing your guests. Here’s what you need to know about making them in advance and serving them perfectly.
How far in advance you can prep
Strawberry shortcake skewers can be assembled up to 8 hours before serving. For longer events, you can prepare them a full day in advance and store them properly in the refrigerator. Notably, some components require special timing—if you’re using chocolate drizzle or decorative elements, consider adding these final touches just before serving. This approach works especially well for backyard barbecues or community celebrations where advance prep is crucial.
How to store in the fridge
Once assembled, place your strawberry shortcake kabobs in an airtight container or cover them lightly with plastic wrap to prevent the cake from drying out. For space efficiency, you can stack them, provided the chocolate coating has completely set first. Alternatively, if you’re preparing more than a day ahead, consider prepping the individual ingredients and storing them separately—this helps maintain freshness until assembly time.
Keeping whipped cream stable
Fresh whipped cream typically loses its shape quickly, yet there are several ways to stabilize it:
- Gelatin method: Keeps whipped cream firm for 2-3 days
- Cornstarch: Holds for up to 8 hours—perfect for same-day serving
- Pudding mix: Maintains shape for 2-3 days with added flavor
- Cream of tartar: Good for 12-24 hours refrigerated
- Powdered milk: Adds structure for 12-24 hours
For best results, always start with chilled equipment and refrigerate your stabilized whipped cream immediately.
Serving ideas for parties or kids
Dessert skewers eliminate the need for plates—making them perfect for casual gatherings. For outdoor events, display your strawberry shortcake on a stick over a bed of ice to maintain freshness throughout the party. Kids especially enjoy these handheld treats, plus they’re customizable for different taste preferences. Regardless of the occasion, strawberry shortcake kabobs present beautifully on a decorative platter or arranged in a circular pattern on a cake stand. Ultimately, these versatile treats work for everything from backyard barbecues to elegant dinner parties.
Conclusion
Strawberry shortcake skewers certainly offer an ideal solution for dessert lovers who want something quick yet impressive. Throughout this guide, we’ve seen how these treats come together in just 15 minutes while delivering all the delicious flavors of traditional strawberry shortcake. Additionally, their portable nature makes them perfect for gatherings where guests can mingle without worrying about plates or utensils.
What makes these dessert skewers truly special is their incredible versatility. You can customize them with different fruits, swap pound cake for brownies or doughnut holes, or dress them up with chocolate drizzle for more elegant occasions. Equally important, you can prepare them hours ahead of time, giving you freedom to enjoy your own party instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
My family requests these skewers regularly now, especially during summer celebrations. Their vibrant colors and perfect balance of sweet cake, juicy strawberries, and optional white chocolate make them irresistible to guests of all ages. Therefore, whether you’re planning a casual backyard barbecue or a more formal gathering, these strawberry shortcake skewers will undoubtedly become your go-to dessert option.
Give this simple yet delightful treat a try—you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with traditional strawberry shortcake when these skewers offer the same wonderful flavors with half the effort and none of the cleanup!
FAQs
Q1. What’s the best type of cake to use for strawberry shortcake skewers? Pound cake is often preferred as it holds its shape well when cut into cubes. However, angel food cake and store-bought shortcake are also great options. For a twist, you can even try using brownies or doughnut holes.
Q2. How far in advance can I prepare strawberry shortcake skewers? You can assemble strawberry shortcake skewers up to 8 hours before serving. If stored properly in the refrigerator, they can even be prepared a full day in advance. However, it’s best to add any whipped cream just before serving.
Q3. How can I keep whipped cream stable on my dessert skewers? There are several methods to stabilize whipped cream, including using gelatin (keeps firm for 2-3 days), cornstarch (holds for up to 8 hours), or cream of tartar (good for 12-24 hours when refrigerated). Always start with chilled equipment and refrigerate immediately after preparation.
Q4. Can I use fruits other than strawberries for these dessert skewers? Absolutely! While strawberries are traditional, you can experiment with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, mango chunks, pineapple pieces, or kiwi slices. Choose firm fruits that won’t fall apart when skewered for best results.
Q5. How do I create a festive red, white, and blue version for holidays? For patriotic occasions like the 4th of July, create red, white, and blue combinations using strawberries, cake cubes, and blueberries or blackberries. Arrange them in alternating order on the skewer. For added flair, use a star-shaped cookie cutter to create watermelon stars as decorative toppers.