Angel food cake is perfectly sweet, luscious, and oh so heavenly. But what do you put on top? Here are 16 toppings to transform your next angel food cake dessert into something unforgettable..
This simple dessert is perhaps the most appropriately named dish in history because it is so light, cloud-like, and downright ethereal.
Despite its phenomenal taste, angel food cake is actually a very simple dessert. It’s made with basic pantry ingredients – flour, sugar, and egg whites – and works as a wonderful blank canvas for your choice of toppings.
There are many creative ways to turn your humble dessert into a stunning piece of cake. You can choose from an array of toppings to make your angel food cake divine, and we’re here to tell you all about them.
1. Strawberries and Cream
The angel food cake classic. Growing up this was one of my mom’s go-to desserts and it never disappoints! A light, fluffy cake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. It doesn’t get much better than that.
2. Chocolate Ganache
When it comes to sponge cake, you can never go wrong with chocolate. So, transform your simple angel food cake into a Boston Cream Pie! Slice the cake horizontally in half and spread some vanilla custard on top of the first layer. Top it with the second layer and cover the entire cake with a decadent chocolate ganache. Fantastic.
3. Lemon Curd and Meringue
These two flavors are just a match made in heaven, and when you infuse them in an angel food cake, you get a drool-worthy dessert. It’s easy to prepare, as well! Just slice the cake horizontally in half and spread some lemon curd over the first layer. Then, top it with the second layer, and spread that meringue goodness over the whole cake.
4. Bananas
Now here’s a topping that you’ll surely go bananas for! Slice up some bananas and cook them in brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. What you’ll get are to die for caramelized bananas! Top a slice of angel food cake with a few slices of these bad boys for an unforgettable dessert.
5. Fresh Berries
If you’re looking for a simple way to glam up your humble dessert, fresh berries are the way to go. You can use blueberries, raspberries, or whatever berries you have on hand, but my favorite is strawberry.
Flavor the berries with a refreshing balsamic butter mixture to enhance their flavors. Mix in liqueur of your choice. Or… my personal favorite: top with fluffy whipped cream!
Whichever one you choose, don’t forget to take a photo and post on Instagram before you devour!
6. Mocha Ganache
This one is for the coffee lovers out there! Infuse your angel food cake with bold and sinful mocha flavors to give it more excitement.
7. Caramel Macchiato
Speaking of coffee, how about a caramel macchiato flavored angel food cake? Angel food cake has a subtle sweetness, which is the perfect base for a strong espresso flavor and rich caramel sauce. This version is so decadent, Starbucks might just steal the idea! Get the recipe here.
8. Cheesecake
Angel food cake is delightful, but so is cheesecake. So why not combine them to make one spectacular dessert? To make, just break apart your angel food cake and add it to a no-bake cheesecake batter. Spread the mixture into an ungreased 9×13 baking dish and top with your favorite berries. Refrigerate for 2 hours and serve!
9. French Toast
Who says angel food cake is just good for dessert? Transform it into a fabulous breakfast food by dipping it into an egg and milk mixture and frying it! Top it with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries and you’ve got yourself an irresistible French toast angel food cake.
10. Ice Cream
Now, this is an effortless way to amp up your angel food cake! Just top it with a scoop or two of your favorite ice cream and you’re golden. Or… take it to another level by topping it with cherries, whipped cream, toasted nuts, mallows, and sprinkles!
11. Coconut and Greek Yogurt
Give your angel food cake a tropical flair by infusing it with some sweet shredded toasted coconut! It gives the cake a nice crunch that goes well with the softness of the cake. Then top it off with a fresh and tangy Greek yogurt frosting. What a refreshing summer treat!
12. Trifle
Picture this: layers of angel food cake, vanilla pudding, and fresh berries. Doesn’t that sound like an excellent trifle? It’s so easy to whip up as well! Just assemble the layers and you’re done. It can’t get any easier than that.
13. Nutella and Mascarpone
Hazelnut and cheese? Yes, please! Drizzle your angel food cake with generous amounts of Nutella sauce and frost it with mascarpone whipped cream. A perfect combination.
14. Buttercream
Buttercream is a classic frosting that tastes good with almost any cake, and angel food cake is no exception. Prep the cake by brushing it with simple syrup. Then, frost it with buttercream.
And of course, the fun part: decorate it using a spoon, a fork, or a cake pipe. Be as creative as you like! Sprinkle it with toasted nuts or shredded coconuts for an even fancier flair.
15. Pineapple Whip
Here’s another fantastic option to give your angel food cake a beautiful tropical flair. Cover it entirely in pineapple whip!
It’s very easy to make, too. Just combine pudding powder and crushed pineapple. Then, add whipped cream with sugar and vanilla, and mix until combined. A sweet and sour frosting that’s perfect with your exquisite cake.
16. Grilled Cake
This is not exactly a topping, but we just can’t end the list without making this suggestion. Your grill may have only ever encountered steaks, burgers, and eggplant, but you may want to introduce it to angel food cake as well.
Yup, placing slices of cake in the grill for a few minutes will give it a nice char and smoky flavor that is oh so perfectly delicious. Top it with some alcohol-soaked berries and you’ve got yourself a dessert to die for!