We just celebrated Independence Day here in America! Traditionally, people get together with friends and family to have cook-outs, BBQ hot dogs and hamburgers and watch fireworks displays. My kids and I went to my parents’ house and had burgers, brats, macaroni salad, broccoli cauliflower salad and baked beans.
For dessert I wanted to make a layered dessert with angel food cake, strawberries, blueberries and whipped topping. Instead of making exactly that I made a little variation because I was afraid a layered dessert would get too soggy if we had leftovers as only five of us were eating.
I used a Betty Crocker Angel Food Cake mix and a can of Dole Crushed Pineapple for the cake. If you are not a fan of pineapple, you can make the cake according to the directions on the box.
This patriotic dessert is so simple! All you do is mix the Angel Food Cake Mix with a 20 oz can of Dole Crushed Pineapple. Do not drain the pineapple! Mix them together by hand until they are completely blended. Pour this into a greased 9×13 baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.
I let that cool overnight and then cut it into approximately 1 inch cubes. If I were going to serve this to a big crowd right away, I would have layered it with strawberries, blueberries and whipped topping to make it sort of like a trifle. Since there were only 5 of us eating, I let everyone make their own little desserts in bowls. You can also use pound cake for this recipe, but I just love angel food cake made with crushed pineapple!
It was delicious! You could also use raspberries or blackberries in this; whatever berries you find most tasty! Instead of Cool Whip, which I used, you can use real whipped cream or Ready Whip. You could even use pudding if you prefer! This makes a simple and delicious patriotic dessert that you can serve on any of the patriotic holidays here in the USA!
If you are in the United States, what did you do to celebrate Independence Day? If you cooked out, what was your favorite item on the menu?
Liz Mays says
This sounds completely refreshing. I like all the different twists you suggested for it too. YUMMY!
Christy Maurer says
It was so good! And, of course, it is already gone!
Joanne T Ferguson says
My mum used to love making Angel cake and being American, I love seeing red, white and blue desserts! This is perfect for today the 4th of July and so reminds me of fun childhood Angel Cake memories!
Christy Maurer says
Awww! I love people who can make it from scratch…not me!
Ourfamilyworld says
That looks really good! What a fun idea to let them make their own dessert.
Christy Maurer says
Thank you! We loved it! Some people used more whipped cream than others, of course lol.
Heather says
Oh I love pineapple! Seems easy to me! I want to get a kitchen aid mixer so I can bake more things! I love that you could probably add any kind of fruit as a topping too!
Christy Maurer says
I need a Kitchen Aid too! This one only required a spoon since I used the crushed pineapple, thankfully!
Jaime Nicole says
I love the idea of putting berries into angelfood cake. I have been eating that for years and never considered putting berries into the deal. Excellent!
Christy Maurer says
It is so yummy!
Chubskulit Rose says
LOve when a dessert has fruits in it, make it a little guilt free to eat. This is a great idea that I would love to try.
Christy Maurer says
That is true! Plus using pineapple instead of oil in the cake makes it lower fat 🙂
Jacob Fu says
Yum! That looks so good! We love any desserts with fruits – we’ll have to try this.
Christy Maurer says
I do too! You feel less guilt that way 🙂
CourtneyLynne says
Omg! This is such a great idea. Totally pinning to try for Labor Day!
Christy Maurer says
Thanks! It is really refreshing and EASY!
Bonnie @ wemake7 says
We didn’t really do much yesterday but we did enjoy some hot dogs. I would love to try this dessert.
Christy Maurer says
Hot dogs on the 4th is a must!
Marts says
This looks like easy to prepare! Not only that, it looks healthy and guilt-free to eat!
Christy Maurer says
Yes, that is the best thing about it!
Miranda (Myrabev) says
Happy belated 4th of july, I am loving the dessert and it’s making me so hungry so early in the morning.
Christy Maurer says
I know! When I look at all the food people post, it makes me so hungry!
Rosey says
We had angel food cake with a patriotic look for the holiday too. I thought it was awesome. I haven’t had that type of cake in years! Your dishes look tasty here too. Hope you had a great holiday!
Christy Maurer says
It was nice 🙂 Anytime I can have my mom’s macaroni salad is good 🙂
Rebecca Swenor says
The dessert sounds so good and I love angel food cake. Yummy!!! It does sounds so easy and yummy to make indeed. I am for sure making this with raspberries and blueberries. Thanks for sharing.
Christy Maurer says
You will love it!
Krystal says
i see pineapple! i’m already a fan! that’s my favorite fruit. hope you had a great holiday.
Christy Maurer says
The pineapple sure makes the cake taste good! We did, thanks! Hope you did too!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
We had a similar dessert for the 4th of July also. I used strawberries and whip cream on mine, what a hit!
Christy Maurer says
You can’t go wrong with whipped cream!!
Jennifer says
Love this! I’m not much of a baker, but my mom makes a delicious angel food cake. I bet it’s fantastic with pineapple!
Christy Maurer says
It is! There used to be a lady I knew who made all different flavored angel food cakes. They were so good!
Bree @ HalfPennyBlog says
I have to ask what made you decide to add pineapple to the cake mix? While I like pineapple, I’m not big on it being in cakes as fillings, but I’ve never seen it added into the actual cake mix. Everything sounded very delicious!
Christy Maurer says
I saw someone do it years ago! It was like one of those using cake mixes in a different way type of things. It makes it so moist!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
This post made me so hungry! I’d love some beans, salad, and of course, the dessert!
Christy Maurer says
Oh me too! That’s the best!!