Grilled Lemon Cake with Berries and Cream
On May 31, 2021 (Updated April 15, 2022)
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This Grilled Lemon Cake is a quick and easy dessert you can make on the BBQ that only requires six ingredients and 20 minutes of your time. It’s topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh berries for a delicious dessert that is perfect for all your summer BBQs.
Grilled Lemon Cake
Everybody needs a beautiful and festive summer dessert that will gather oohs and aahs from the crowd. I mean, what is even the point of bringing food to a party if it isn’t going to garner the most compliments anyways? Problem with this (especially around holidays like the 4th of July) is that pretty summer desserts are a TON of work.
All of these pretty Pinterest perfect recipes are all like, “individually skewer each of these fruits that you spent the last hour cutting into stars into a perfect pattern of the American flag! Then eat immediately before your fruit browns and turns nasty or anybody even has a chance to marvel at your skills.” Ah yeah, sign me up for that food assignment at the pot luck. Hard pass. Here to save your summer dessert woes is this grilled lemon cake.
Summer BBQ Dessert
All this dessert took was a quick stop at the store, a few passes from my trusty knife, and a few minutes on my grill. Easy peasy, jaw-droppingly beautiful, completely festive for the summer holidays. Spare yourself the heat of baking anything in the summer heat, and pick up a lemon loaf cake (I got mine from the bakery at my grocery store,) some fresh berries, and whipping cream and you are seriously set to go.
The sugar in the cake caramelizes on the grill in just moments and adds a layer of texture and flavor that is just the bomb. Topped with seasonal berries and freshly whipped cream this is a dessert that would win a blue ribbon in the best dish contest. Even if the other guests don’t know that it’s a competition, you can buy your own blue ribbon and place it on the dish and then nobody will have to guess.
Ingredients for Grilled Lemon Cake
Now that we’ve established how this will be the easiest dessert you’ll ever make on the BBQ, let’s continue with this “easy” trend and chat about the ingredients needed for the recipe. Here’s what you’ll need to pick up to make this grilled lemon cake:
- 1 loaf of lemon cake
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 pint whipping cream
- 1/8 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
That’s it! Six ingredients are all that stand between you and this dessert. I suppose you could make the lemon loaf from scratch, but if you’re like me, you’re often too busy making the awesome entrees and sides to want to put a lot of thought into the dessert. I say keep it easy!
How to Make Lemon Cake on the Grill
Ready to make your own tasty dessert? Here’s how to get ‘er done!
- Prep. Get everything prepped before you get to the grilling. Slice your strawberries, beat your whipping cream with powdered sugar and refrigerate. Brush each slice of lemon cake on both side with melted butter. Lastly, preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat (around 400-500 degrees F).
- Grill. Place the slices of cake on the grill and grill for approximately 30 seconds. Turn to the opposite diagonal and grill for another 30 seconds to give the cake those perfect, desirable grill marks. Repeat on the other side.
- Assemble! Top the grilled lemon cake with the whipped cream, blueberries, and sliced strawberries. Serve immediately and enjoy!
There you have it! You’re ready to make your own grilled lemon cake. You can also switch things up and use a different cake if you can’t get a lemon cake at the store. Honestly, this recipe is pretty foolproof and you can mix and match your favorite berries and toppings as you see fit!
More BBQ Dessert Recipes
Looking for more ways to make dessert on your grill or smoker? Try your hand at these other tasty BBQ desserts!
- Grilled Pound Cake with Grilled Cinnamon Peaches
- Strawberry Bruschetta with Honey Mascarpone
- Smoked Apple Pie
Easy Grilled Lemon Cake Recipe
Grilled Lemon Cake with Berries and Cream
Ingredients
- 1 loaf lemon cake sliced
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 pint whipping cream
- ⅛ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Whip the cream. Place the whipping cream in a large mixing bowl and beat on high for several minutes until stiff peaks firm. Don't over beat. Add in the powdered sugar and mix in slowly. Refrigerate until needed.
- Preheat. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400-500 degrees F).
- Grill the cake. Brush the melted butter on both sides of the lemon cake slices. Place the slices directly on the grill at a diagonal and grill for 30 seconds then turn to the opposite diagonal for another 30 seconds to create beautiful grill marks. Flip and repeat on the other side.
- Assemble and serve. Transfer the grilled cake slices to a serving platter, top with the whipped cream, and fresh berries. You can also set out the individual components and allow guests to build their own.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**This post was originally published in July 2015. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
This sounds AMAZING! I’ve never thought of grilling cake.
Thanks Rachel! It’s pretty crazy what a little char from the grill can do!