Strawberry Shortcake Grilled Doughnuts Recipe

This Strawberry Shortcake Grilled Doughnuts recipe transforms ordinary glazed doughnuts into an extraordinary dessert experience. With juicy macerated strawberries and a cloud-like whipped ricotta cream sandwiched between warm, caramelized grilled doughnuts, this treat bridges the gap between classic strawberry shortcake and modern dessert innovation. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect show-stopping dessert for summer gatherings or whenever you need a quick but impressive sweet treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Glazed Doughnuts: The foundation of our dessert. Store-bought works perfectly, but you can also use homemade brioche doughnuts for an extra-special touch. The sugar glaze caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
• Fresh Strawberries: The star of the show! They provide natural sweetness, beautiful color, and that classic strawberry shortcake flavor we all love. Always use the freshest berries you can find.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps draw out the juices from the strawberries, creating that luscious syrup that soaks into the doughnuts.
• Lemon Zest: Adds a bright, citrusy note that balances the sweetness and enhances the strawberry flavor without making the dessert taste lemony.
• Vanilla: Rounds out the flavors with its warm, aromatic quality in both the strawberries and cream.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a stable base for our whipped topping and adds a subtle tanginess that complements the sweet berries.
• Ricotta Cheese: The secret weapon! Provides a uniquely light and fluffy texture to our cream while adding depth of flavor.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Brings everything together into a luxuriously smooth and pillowy topping that’s much more interesting than plain whipped cream.

Variations

Different Fruits

Try this recipe with different seasonal fruits! Peaches or nectarines in summer, mixed berries, or even caramelized apples with cinnamon in fall.

Alternative Doughnuts

Not a fan of glazed? Try cinnamon sugar doughnuts, cake doughnuts, or even chocolate glazed for a different flavor profile.

Boozy Version

Add a splash of Grand Marnier or strawberry liqueur to your berries for an adults-only version perfect for dinner parties.

Chocolate Lover’s Dream

Drizzle some chocolate sauce over the finished dessert or mix mini chocolate chips into the ricotta cream.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Grilled Doughnuts

Step 1: Macerate the Strawberries

In a bowl, combine hulled and halved strawberries with granulated sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla. Toss thoroughly to ensure all berries are coated. Let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes until they release their juices, creating a natural syrup. This process softens the berries and intensifies their flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Whipped Ricotta Cream

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or using a handheld mixer), whip the cream cheese until it becomes light and fluffy. Add the ricotta cheese and heavy cream, continuing to whip for 6-8 minutes until the mixture is smooth and the cream has developed volume. Finish by adding vanilla and whipping just until combined. Refrigerate the cream until you’re ready to assemble.

Step 3: Grill the Doughnuts

Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the glazed doughnuts on the grill and cook for just 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. Watch them carefully—the sugar in the glaze can burn quickly! The doughnuts should develop beautiful grill marks and a slightly caramelized exterior.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Allow the grilled doughnuts to cool slightly, then slice them in half horizontally. On the bottom half, add a generous spoonful of macerated strawberries (with some of that delicious juice). Top with a dollop of the whipped ricotta cream, then place the top half of the doughnut to create a sandwich. Serve immediately while the doughnuts are still warm and the contrast with the cool cream is at its best.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

These grilled doughnut shortcakes are divine on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side
• A drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce
• A cup of strong coffee or espresso to cut through the sweetness
• A glass of champagne or prosecco for a celebratory dessert

Presentation Ideas

Serve on a platter with extra berries scattered around, or create a dessert bar where guests can assemble their own with various toppings and sauces.

Make Ahead and Storage

Preparing Components Ahead

You can prepare the strawberry mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The whipped ricotta cream can also be made ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just give it a quick whisk before using if it has separated slightly.

Storing Leftovers

This dessert is best enjoyed fresh, right after assembly. However, if you have leftover components:

• Store macerated strawberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
• Whipped ricotta cream will keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator
• Grilled doughnuts are best eaten immediately but can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container overnight

Reheating

If you need to reheat leftover grilled doughnuts, a quick 10 seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a 300°F oven will refresh them.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These Strawberry Shortcake Grilled Doughnuts bring together familiar flavors in an unexpected way. The contrast between warm, slightly crisp grilled doughnuts and cool, creamy filling makes for a truly memorable dessert experience. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just want to elevate your dessert game, this recipe delivers maximum impact with minimal effort. Give it a try the next time you want to see pure delight on everyone’s faces!

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