Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

When life hands you crazy, make Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Rhubarb Compote. At least I’m pretty sure that’s how the saying goes.

Grilled Angel Food Cake with strawberry sauce and ice cream on top

Life has been all kinds of topsy turvy for us the last few months. I haven’t shared a lot here on the blog, but among other things, my husband has been between jobs, we planned and started an entire first floor home demo and renovation, and then decided it’d also be smart to potty train our son in the midst of the chaos.

Oh, and did I mention I’m also pregnant?!

Grilled Angel Food Cake with ice cream and strawberry rhubarb sauce on a plate

In case you missed the announcement on Instagram last week, we’re expecting Baby #2 in late October! I’m currently 20 weeks along and after a rough first trimester, I’m feeling pretty good. I’m tired, but it’s tough to know whether that’s pregnancy tiredness, chasing around a 2 year old tiredness, or living in a construction zone tiredness.

We’re working long hours and waking up to the sounds of holes being drilled in the walls, but I’m beyond excited for all that is to come out of this crazy season. Our sweet P is taking all the changes like a champ, though he did ask “Is our house falling down, momma?” on the first day of demo!

He also seems to be excited about the new baby, though he insists he wants both a baby brother AND a baby sister. Hopefully he won’t be too disappointed when we only bring home one baby this fall.

Three plates of grilled angel food cake with ice cream and strawberry sauce

My pregnancy nausea subsided around 15 weeks, and about the same time my sweet tooth came roaring back. I couldn’t even look at chocolate in the first trimester. Now I see a stack of fudge brownies and feel the need to cram them all in my face immediately.

The renovation is keeping me from baking up a storm, but luckily I can still indulge in simple semi-homemade desserts like this Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Rhubarb Compote.

Grilled Angel Food Cake slice with strawberries and ice cream

This killer dessert starts with a store bought angel food cake. The classic light and airy cake takes on a crispy, caramely exterior after being buttered and grilled until golden brown. It’s so good my hubby couldn’t resist eating a slice plain.

While the angel food cake gets eaten by my husband all gussied up, I like to make a quick stovetop strawberry rhubarb sauce to slather on top. You guys know the drill here–sweet strawberries + tangy rhubarb = always a win.

I like to add a squeeze of lemon juice and vanilla to the sauce, then let it cook down until it’s ruby red, thick, and bubbly.

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Scoop of Ice Cream and Strawberry Rhubarb Compote on top

Then comes the best part. Grabbing a slice of angel food cake, pouring the sauce in all the nooks and crannies, and then topping it off with a big scoop of ice cream. It is sweet summertime on a plate, perfect for fancy dinner parties or casual cookouts, and made in only 15 minutes.

If you have leftovers, the compote stays in the fridge for several days and is great on pretty much anything. Try it in Strawberry Rhubarb Ice Cream Floats, swirl it into Strawberry Rhubarb Fool, yogurt or pancakes, or just eat it with a spoon. I’m sure you’ll manage to finish it up somehow.

If you love rhubarb desserts, you’ll also want to check out our Rhubarb Upside Down Cake, Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars, and Rhubarb Custard Cake.

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Yield: 5
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Angel food takes on a caramelized flavor after a trip on the grill. Smothered with a simple strawberry rhubarb compote and a scoop of ice cream, this is such a beautiful and delicious summer dessert!

Ingredients

  • 1 pint strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped rhubarb
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 store bought angel food cake, cut in 5 slices
  • 3 Tablespoons butter,
  • meltedIce cream, if desired

Instructions

1. Add strawberries, rhubarb, and sugar to a small sauce pan set over medium heat. Cook until rhubarb and strawberries begin to break down and soften, stirring often, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch and water then add to berry mixture. Continue to cook until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in vanilla, ginger, lemon juice, and salt and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. If desired, smash berries and rhubarb or puree in a blender for a completely smooth texture. I like to leave some chunks of strawberries, but feel free to do what you need to do! Keep warm until ready to serve.

2. Meanwhile, use a pastry brush to coat both sides of angel food slices with butter. Place on grill over prepared coals. Do not cover. Grill for about 1 minute on each side, or until slightly charred all the way around.

3. To serve, place slices of angel food cake on a plate. Top with warm strawberry rhubarb compote and a scoop of ice cream. Enjoy!

Notes

You can easily double the compote recipe if you want to make enough sauce to use the whole angel food cake. 

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 111Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 255mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g

Did you make this recipe?

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25 Comments

  1. I had this at a local restaurant the other night. It was absolutely fabulous. I can’t wait to try your recipe and make it at home for date night.

  2. I can attest that this was the bomb..since I was at the party :)Thanks Courtney for posting and Christina for making this. Delicious!

  3. OH MAN, I made this for our Memorial Day BBQ. Everyone loved it! The crispy grilled edges of the cake were oh so good.

    So worth the six trips to different grocery stores to find rhubarb. It’s either not in season yet, or a VERY popular M-Day fruit… ๐Ÿ˜›

    Pure genious.

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