4th of July Berries & Pound Cake Skewers

These cake skewers are incredibly versatile and can be customized with different types of cake or additional berries. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or attending a potluck, these handheld treats are easy to serve and always a crowd favorite.

Looking for more patriotic treats? Try my 4th of July M&M Cookie Bars for a colorful dessert, or make these 4th of July Watermelon Sparkler Skewers for a refreshing complement to your cake skewers.

Reasons You’ll Love These Cake Skewers

• Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal prep work, these cake skewers are perfect for last-minute entertaining or when you want a patriotic dessert without the fuss.
• Perfect for 4th of July: The red strawberries, white pound cake, and blue blueberries create a beautiful patriotic presentation that’s ideal for Independence Day celebrations.
• Customizable: Switch between pound cake and angel food cake, add different berries like raspberries, or serve with various toppings to match your taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleaser: These threaded-on skewer treats are easy to serve and eat, making them ideal for outdoor parties, picnics, or any gathering where you want a handheld dessert.

What Are Cake Skewers?

Cake skewers are a fun and festive way to serve dessert, where cubes of cake are threaded onto skewers with fresh fruit. This presentation makes individual servings easy to grab and eat, while the combination of cake and berries provides a perfect balance of textures and flavors that both kids and adults love.

Pound Cake Skewer Ingredients

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

• Pound cake – A 12-ounce store-bought or homemade pound cake works perfectly for this recipe. The dense, buttery texture provides a rich base that pairs beautifully with the fresh berries and holds up well when threaded onto skewers.
• Fresh strawberries – You’ll need 36 fresh strawberries with tops removed. Choose ripe, firm strawberries for the best flavor and texture. You can slice larger strawberries in half if needed to maintain consistent sizing with your cake squares.
• Fresh blueberries – One cup of fresh blueberries adds beautiful color and sweet-tart flavor. Make sure they’re firm and fresh for the best presentation and taste.

Substitutions and Additions

• Angel food cake – Swap pound cake for angel food cake for a lighter, airier texture that’s lower in calories 
• Different berries – Add blackberries, raspberries, or even grilled strawberries for variety
• Chocolate dipping sauce – Melt chocolate with a little cream for an indulgent dip
• Brown sugar glaze – Mix melted butter with brown sugar for a caramelized drizzle
• Cream cheese dip – Blend cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla for a tangy accompaniment

How to Make Cake Skewers (step-by-step directions)

STEP 1. Cut your pound cake into 1-inch cubes or larger, making sure they’re roughly the same size as your strawberries for the best presentation. Prepare your fresh berries by washing the blueberries and removing the tops from the strawberries.

STEP 2. Thread blueberries, strawberries, and pound cake onto the bamboo skewers in your preferred pattern. Leave 2-3 inches of space on the bottom of each skewer to be able to hold them comfortably. (Photos 1, 2, 3 & 4)

STEP 3. Serve immediately and enjoy! These cake skewers are best when fresh and can be arranged on a platter for easy serving.

Recipe Tips

• You can use angel food cake instead of pound cake for a lighter option – angel food cake is light and airy, while pound cake is sweeter and more dense with added butter
• Cut larger cubes of cake if desired to be the same size as the strawberries for better visual balance 
• Strawberries can be sliced in half instead of kept whole if you prefer smaller pieces
• Add other berries, such as blackberries or raspberrie,s for more variety and color

Storing Tips

• Storage: These cake skewers are best served immediately for the freshest taste and presentation
• Refrigerator: Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve for up to 6 hours. The cake will eventually start to soak up the moisture from the strawberries
• Freezing: Not recommended for freezing, as the texture of both the cake and fresh berries will be compromised
• Reheating: Not necessary – these are meant to be served at room temperature

Serving Suggestions

These cake skewers are delicious served as is, but you can elevate them with various toppings and accompaniments. Serve with a side of whipped topping or try my homemade whipped cream for the perfect pairing. You can also drizzle some melted white chocolate on top if desired for an extra special touch.

For a patriotic spread, these pair wonderfully with other 4th of July treats like Patriotic Cupcakes or 4th of July Sugar Cookies. If you’re planning a larger dessert table, consider adding Red White and Blue Desserts to create a complete themed collection.

Recipe FAQs