Grilled Donut and Fruit Kabobs with Luscious Mascarpone Cream: Your Ultimate Summer Dessert
Keep your summer dessert fresh, easy, and undeniably delicious with these Grilled Donut and Fruit Kabobs, perfectly paired with a velvety Mascarpone Cream. Donut holes, succulent pineapple chunks, and sweet mandarin oranges are lightly grilled to perfection and served alongside a truly luscious cream that elevates every bite.
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This delightful recipe post has been thoughtfully sponsored by Dole.
The essence of summer truly comes alive when the grill is fired up, and the air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of delicious food. As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, my family and I fully embrace the laid-back rhythm of the season. This summer, much like every summer, has been a symphony of cherished moments: the gentle start to mornings (even if the kids still insist on an early wake-up call!), the joyful shouts of children splashing through sprinklers in the backyard (a clear indicator that sunscreen is a must-have, as we’ve already gone through two bottles!), and the late-night movie marathons or board game battles that stretch well past bedtime.
But beyond these idyllic scenes, there’s one activity that truly defines our summer experience: grilling. While my passion for grilling extends throughout the year, there’s an undeniable magic that accompanies it during the warmer months. It’s an addictive pursuit, one that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary adventures. This year, I’ve found myself at the grill more than ever before, despite it only being the end of July!
Traditionally, my grilling adventures have revolved around savory main courses, from juicy burgers to perfectly seared steaks. However, this summer, I decided it was time to break free from tradition and invite dessert to the grill. The result? A surprisingly simple yet utterly delightful creation: **Grilled Donut and Fruit Kabobs with Mascarpone Cream**. This innovative grilled dessert promises to be a refreshing change of pace, adding a unique twist to your summer entertaining repertoire.
Transforming Your Summer Dessert Game with Grilled Treats
Grilling desserts might sound unconventional, but once you experience the delectable transformation that heat brings to sweet ingredients, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried it sooner. The grill imbues fruits and baked goods with a subtle smoky flavor and a beautiful caramelization that enhances their natural sweetness. It’s an ideal way to finish a backyard barbecue, offering a warm, inviting treat that’s far from the usual ice cream or pie.
For these kabobs, I armed myself with two pantry staples that are synonymous with quality and convenience: a can of Dole Pineapple Chunks in 100% Pineapple Juice and a can of Dole Mandarin Oranges. My mission was to craft a dessert that was not only delicious and easy to prepare but also offered a touch of unexpected creativity. These Dole products are perfect for the job, consistently delivering perfectly ripe and sweet fruit, making them an indispensable ingredient for countless recipes, especially when fresh fruit might be out of season or require extra prep time. The convenience of having them readily available in my pantry means I’m always just moments away from a fantastic dessert idea.
The Sweet Inspiration: Donut Kabobs and Beyond
The genesis of these delightful fruit kabobs stems from a long-standing family tradition of making dessert kabobs with glazed donut holes. It’s a simple pleasure that never fails to bring smiles. And let me tell you, this isn’t my inaugural foray into grilling donuts, and it most certainly won’t be my last! There’s something utterly irresistible about the way donut holes transform on the grill: their exteriors develop a slight crispness, while their centers become wonderfully soft and warm, making them incredibly melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The subtle char from the grill adds a dimension of flavor that you simply can’t achieve any other way. A crucial tip for grilling donuts is to keep a watchful eye on them; the sugar in the glaze will melt quickly when heated, so careful monitoring is key to prevent them from becoming too dark or overly sticky. A few minutes on each side is often all it takes to reach perfection.
Once those perfectly toasted donut holes are ready, adding the vibrant fruit creates a visually stunning and flavor-packed dessert. The combination of grilled pineapple and mandarin oranges with the warm donuts is a match made in heaven. The bright, sunny colors of the Dole fruit evoke the very essence of summer, making these kabobs as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate. Dole’s canned fruits are a consistent winner because they guarantee a perfectly sweet, juicy, and ready-to-use product every time. The ease with which you can incorporate them into recipes is unbeatable, and their unwavering quality makes them a staple in my kitchen for both savory and sweet dishes.
Elevating the Experience: The Irresistible Mascarpone Cream
But the journey to dessert nirvana didn’t end with just grilled donuts and fruit. I knew this dish needed a luxurious counterpart, an element that would tie all the flavors together and add a layer of sophisticated indulgence. The answer came in the form of a sweetened Mascarpone Cream. Oh, this cream! I could honestly devour it by the spoonful on its own. It’s a rich, yet surprisingly light, concoction that provides the perfect cool, tangy, and sweet contrast to the warm, caramelized kabobs. Dipping your warm pineapple chunks, soft mandarin oranges, and crispy-edged donut holes into this velvety cream is an experience that transports you directly to dessert heaven. The mascarpone cream adds a decadent touch without being overly heavy, balancing the sweetness and slight char of the grilled components beautifully.
So, this summer, dare to take your dessert to the backyard with these **Grilled Donut and Fruit Kabobs with Mascarpone Cream**. They are incredibly simple to prepare, making them an ideal choice for entertaining guests without stress. Their vibrant appearance and unique combination of flavors just scream “summer,” promising a memorable ending to any meal.
Why These Grilled Donut and Fruit Kabobs Are a Must-Try Summer Dessert
Beyond their ease of preparation and stunning presentation, these grilled kabobs offer a unique blend of textures and temperatures that excite the palate. The warmth of the grilled fruit and donuts, contrasted with the cool, smooth mascarpone cream, creates a dynamic and truly satisfying dessert experience. It’s a conversation starter, a crowd-pleaser, and a testament to the versatility of your outdoor grill.
Whether you’re hosting a large barbecue, enjoying a quiet evening on the patio, or simply looking for an exciting new way to indulge your sweet tooth, these kabobs fit the bill. They are customizable too; feel free to experiment with other fruits that hold up well on the grill, like peaches, bananas, or strawberries. The key is to embrace the fun and creativity that grilling desserts brings.
The combination of convenience from Dole’s perfectly portioned and sweet canned fruits, the delightful transformation of simple donut holes on the grill, and the luxurious touch of homemade mascarpone cream creates a dessert that is both sophisticated and approachable. It’s the kind of treat that makes summer memories even sweeter, encouraging everyone to linger a little longer and savor the moment. This recipe embodies the relaxed joy of summer, proving that the best desserts don’t have to be complicated to be absolutely unforgettable.
Grilled Donut and Fruit Kabobs with Mascarpone Cream
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Ingredients
Mascarpone Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 8 oz container mascarpone cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Kabobs
- 1 can 20 oz Dole Pineapple Chunks, drained
- 1 can 15 oz Dole Mandarin Oranges, drained
- 20-30 glazed donut holes
Instructions
- Make the mascarpone cream: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whip the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until well combined and smooth. Gently fold about 1/4 of the whipped heavy cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten it. Then, carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream until just combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Drain the Dole pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges thoroughly. Thread the pineapple, oranges, and donut holes onto skewers, alternating the ingredients as desired to create colorful and appealing kabobs.
- Preheat a grill or a grill pan over medium heat. Lightly grease the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the kabobs on the hot grill. Grill for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the fruit is warmed through and slightly caramelized, and the donut holes are toasted and golden-brown. Be very careful, as the sugar from the donut glaze will melt and become extremely hot; watch them closely to avoid burning.
- Serve the warm grilled kabobs immediately with the chilled mascarpone cream for dipping. Enjoy this unique and delightful summer dessert!