Divas: Easy spectacular dessert for The Fourth of July

Have you made your menu plans for Independence Day?

I ask because you’ll want to add this. Here’s a delectable dessert you make on the barbecue that couldn’t be easier.

Have you ever had grilled berries? If not, you’re in for a treat. Grilling the berries caramelizes the natural sugars, making them taste even sweeter and really bumps the glorious fresh fruit of the season up a notch. Shall we make a brown sugar and lemon caramel drizzle to take it over the top? Of course!

Now, we could serve the berries with shortcake, in fact I started out to do just that. But I was passing the “oops, we baked too much” day-old bakery cart and these doughnuts just jumped into my cart. Does that ever happen to you?

Then it hit me. These doughnuts are a short-cut shortcake! And better yet – I’m going to grill them, too.

Are you still with me?

RED, WHITE AND BLUEBERRY DOUGHNUT SHORTCAKE

Yield: 6 servings - Time: 20 minutes

The glaze is an optional step, but it’s really good.

What You’ll Need:

For the caramel drizzle:

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons water

1 pint fresh blueberries

2 pounds fresh strawberries

6 glazed or cake doughnuts, sliced in half horizontally

whipped dessert topping or whipped cream

Here’s How:

In a medium saucepan stir together brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt; stir in the lemon juice and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened. Remove from pan and place into a microwave-safe bowl. Cool and set aside.

Meanwhile; gently skewer berries on metal or bamboo skewers. If you’re using bamboo be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from catching fire.

Prepare your charcoal or gas grill, to medium heat. Place the skewers directly on the clean grate or use a stainless steel grill topper. Depending on the size of the strawberries they will take 5 to 7 minutes. The blueberries take only 3 minutes. Hang close, when they soften and juice starts to sizzle, they’re done.

When you remove the berry skewers from the barbecue use extreme caution as the berries and the skewers will be lava HOT. Place them on a tray covered in foil and set aside while you grill the doughnuts.

Place doughnut halves, cut side down, on the rack over medium-low heat. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes or until heated through and beautiful grill marks appear. Again, use caution when removing.

Place doughnut halves on serving dishes. Top with berries, a dollop of whipped topping and drizzle. If the drizzle stiffens up place it in the microwave for 10 seconds to loosen it up before you place on the dessert.

Diva tip – when working with blueberries: don’t wear white!

Here’s hoping that some of the 4th of July fireworks will be flavor explosions in your mouth and that your holiday is red, white and beautiful! Happy Independence Day from all of us at Divas On A Dime.

Fabulous Festive Food contributed by Patti Diamond from Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! NEW website and blog - www.divasonadime.com Join us on Facebook at DivasOnADime DotCom.