As I mentioned last week, my family is a total Strawberry Angel Food Cake family. We’ve definitely carved out parts in our hearts (graphic) for Dirt Cake, Boozy Berry Cups, and Peaches ‘n’ Cream Cupcakes for other warm-weather dessert occasions, but light-as-air angel food cake topped with cold whipped cream and freshly sliced strawberries is about as easy and delicious as it comes. Pure summer.
Inspired by the salad in a jar I had in Monterey last week, I decided to give the classic dessert a little twist by layering it in a wide-mouthed mason jar, vs slicing and serving on a plate, and call it Strawberry Angel Food Cake Jars! Because, really, when’s the last time eating something out of a jar made you less than sublimely happy – especially when homemade whipped cream is involved?
These sweet treats are great for spring and summer get-togethers, especially Memorial Day, when it’s hot out and you want to end the meal with something light. Assemble the jars a few hours ahead of time or, for some real fun, make an Angel Food Cake Jar bar by laying out cubes of angel food cake, homemade whipped cream, and tons of different berry varieties so people can make their own layered concoctions.
So fun, right?
Start the Strawberry Angel Food Cake Jars with a 7″ Angel Food Cake. I just love Angel Food Cake as it’s basically like eating sweet and puffy cake clouds. Winning! BTW, I was 16 years old the first and last time I tried to make my own AFC. After taking what felt like an hour whipping up a million egg whites then tenderly folding in the rest of the cake ingredients, the dang thing never came out of the pan after baking. Ever since then I’ve taken a little help from the bakery section at the grocery store with no regrets.
Store-bought Angel Food Cake: $2.99
Bypassing serious feelings of baking inadequacy: Priceless.
Cut the Angel Food Cake into 2″ squares then set aside.
Next, slice 6 cups fresh strawberries (about 2lbs.) I have tasted a noticeable difference in sweetness and flavor in strawberries over the past couple of weeks. In all berry varieties, actually!
Finally, whip up a batch of homemade whipped cream. Now there is a time and a place for Cool Whip, but there is a time and a place for homemade whipped cream – and this is it. With so few ingredients involved in the recipe, every one of ’em has to be absolutely delicious.
Start by chilling the the mixing bowl of your electric mixer, or a glass bowl, in the freezer for at least 10 minutes, then pour in 1 pint heavy whipping cream.Â
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla then turn the mixer to medium speed and gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
Turn the mixer up as high as she’ll go then whip until the cream can hold it’s shape, 2-3 minutes. Don’t over beat, or you’ll have butter!
Layer the Strawberry Angel Food Cake Jars by placing a few cubes of Angel Food Cake into the bottom of a jar, followed by 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, and a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream.
Repeat the layers once more, then serve!
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Strawberry Angel Food Cake Jars
Description
 Strawberry Angel Food Cake Jars are a sweet and simple treat. Fresh berries, cubed angel food cake, and lightly-sweetened homemade whipped cream are absolutely heavenly!
Ingredients
- 1, 7" angel food cake
- 6 cups sliced strawberries (about 2lbs)
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Directions
- Slice angel food cake into 2" cubes then divide cubes in half. Divide each half into 6 portions then place 1 portion into the bottom of a 12-oz mason jar (you'll need 6 total.) Top with 1/2 cup sliced strawberries and a dollop (2-3 Tablespoons) of homemade whipped cream then repeat with remaining ingredients.
- For the homemade whipped cream: place the clean bowl of an electric mixer, or a large mixing bowl, into the freezer for 10 minutes. Fit the mixer with the whipping attachment then add whipping cream and vanilla to the chilled bowl. Whip the mixture on medium speed while gradually adding the powdered sugar then increase the speed to high and whip until cream can hold it’s shape, 2-3 minutes (do not over whip.) Refrigerate until ready to use.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I can hardly stand how fabulous this dessert is! By the way, you can find mason jars at nearly every grocery store these days, and even the hardware store, but if you don’t want to make the investment, these are also super cute layered in martini glasses.
Aaand, scene.
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Izzie 06.13.2013
I just made these and they are SO GOOD! Thanks for the recipe xx
Jerri 06.03.2013
How yummy these look!
20 Favorite Memorial Day Recipes | Iowa Girl Eats 05.28.2013
[…] Strawberry Angel Food Cake Jars: A fun twist on a classic summer dessert. Take some help from the store and use bakery-made Angel Food Cake to make assembly of these sweet treats go even faster. […]
Jamie 05.27.2013
Made this tonight. Seemed like appropriate Memorial Day sweets. They were a huge hit and so easy to make. What I really love (besides the deliciousness) is that the possibilities are endless. They are like personal sized trifles, so you could make so many combinations. Thank you!!
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[…] Strawberry shortcakes in jars. Aw. Adorable dessert. […]
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious 05.23.2013
Love this! Plus everything tastes better in a jar :)
Jarome 05.23.2013
This looks fantastic. I’m sure this perfect for everybody’s palate.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking 05.22.2013
This is one of my favorite desserts, and it’s so darn adorable in pint-sized form! Perfect for picnics!
Cat Yates 05.22.2013
You’re killing me smalls! That looks so good – light and fresh – right now. Yum. Perfect for Memorial Day weekend.
Sydney 05.22.2013
These look so tasty. Perfectly sweet for summer! And seriously, everything tastes better out of a mason jar :)
Ja @ Ja on the RUN 05.22.2013
I love this!!! :) YUMMM! It’s beautiful! It’s nice to do this when we have a party at home. :)
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe 05.22.2013
I’m a big fan of angel food cake and strawberries, and the cuteness of things in jars just puts this dessert over the top. I’m pretty convinced that things in jars taste better too, no? ;)
Andy 05.22.2013
Monterey is beautiful, isn’t it? No wonder you were inspired to be so creative. This is such a neat idea and I am definitely going to share this with my mom and sister. We like to get together every couple of weeks and do arts and crafts so this may be our next project. Thanks for the delicious idea and easy to read instructions.
Mom 05.22.2013
Photographs are stunning! And tasted as good as it looks! Thanks for sharing:)
Pam 05.22.2013
Such a good idea, they look great. I agree with Teresa the boxed is so much better and easy. I always use Duncan Hines and they are prefect every time.
Dawn 05.22.2013
Mmmm! Those look amazing. I’ve been having strawberries every day now that they’re in season :) This morning I made strawberry shortcake overnight oats. They were pretty yummy but not as delicious as your jars!
steph@stephsbitebybite 05.22.2013
So fun and perfect to take around anywhere!