Strawberries are a sweet and juicy treat that can elevate any dessert. Whether you’re planning a summer party or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, strawberry desserts are sure to please.
From classic favorites to creative new recipes, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this versatile fruit.
You’ll find a wide range of strawberry desserts to suit every taste and skill level.
Some recipes are quick and easy, perfect for beginners or those short on time. Others are more complex, giving you a chance to show off your baking skills.
No matter which recipe you choose, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious treat that captures the essence of this beloved berry.
1. Classic Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is a beloved summer dessert that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need fresh strawberries, sugar, and homemade biscuits.
Start by slicing the strawberries and sprinkling them with sugar. Let them sit to release their juices.
For the shortcakes, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter, then add cream to form a dough.
Shape into rounds and bake until golden.
While the shortcakes cool, whip some heavy cream with a touch of sugar.
To serve, split the biscuits and layer with macerated strawberries and whipped cream.
This classic dessert showcases the perfect balance of sweet berries, tender shortcake, and fluffy cream.
2. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Tart
This dessert combines two favorite flavors in a delightful tart. You’ll love the contrast between the crisp chocolate crust and the smooth, creamy filling.
Start by making a chocolate cookie crust. Press it into a tart pan and bake until set. Let it cool while you prepare the filling.
For the filling, melt chocolate and mix it with cream. Pour this into the cooled crust. Top with fresh, ripe strawberries.
Chill the tart in the fridge until the filling sets. Before serving, you can drizzle extra melted chocolate over the strawberries for a fancy touch.
3. Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
Strawberry cheesecake bites are a tasty and easy dessert you can make at home. These mini treats combine the flavors of fresh strawberries and creamy cheesecake in a bite-sized package.
To make them, you’ll need cream cheese, strawberries, and graham crackers. Some recipes use white chocolate for extra sweetness.
You can make them no-bake for a quick treat.
For a fun twist, try filling fresh strawberries with a cheesecake mixture. Or make them into small balls coated with graham cracker crumbs. You can even add strawberry jelly for extra fruity flavor.
These little desserts are perfect for parties or as a sweet snack. You can make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
4. Strawberry Tiramisu
Strawberry tiramisu puts a fruity twist on the classic Italian dessert. You’ll love this no-bake treat that swaps coffee for sweet strawberry flavor.
To make it, dip ladyfingers in strawberry juice instead of coffee. Layer them with a creamy mascarpone mixture and sliced fresh strawberries.
The result is a light, refreshing dessert perfect for spring and summer. It’s easy to assemble and looks impressive.
Let it chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Strawberry tiramisu is a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will enjoy. Try it for your next gathering or special occasion.
5. Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Strawberry rhubarb crisp is a tasty dessert that combines sweet strawberries with tart rhubarb. To make it, mix chopped rhubarb and strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla.
Pour this fruit mixture into a baking dish. Top it with a crumbly mixture of flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter. This creates a crispy, golden topping when baked.
Bake the crisp in a 375°F oven until the fruit is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a perfect spring or summer treat.
6. Strawberry Icebox Cake
Strawberry Icebox Cake is a cool, refreshing dessert perfect for hot summer days. You don’t need to turn on the oven to make this tasty treat.
To create this cake, layer graham crackers with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Repeat these layers in a baking dish or pan.
Some recipes add cream cheese or pudding to the mix for extra richness. You can also use pound cake instead of graham crackers for a different twist.
After assembling, let the cake chill in the fridge for several hours. This allows the flavors to blend and the layers to soften.
When ready to serve, slice and enjoy this cool, creamy dessert with bursts of strawberry sweetness.
7. Strawberry Panna Cotta
Strawberry panna cotta is a creamy Italian dessert that’s perfect for strawberry lovers. You’ll love its smooth texture and rich flavor.
To make it, you mix gelatin with milk and cream. Then add pureed strawberries, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat the mixture gently, stirring until everything combines.
Pour the mixture into small cups or molds. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
For extra strawberry goodness, top your panna cotta with homemade strawberry sauce. Cook fresh strawberries with sugar and lemon juice until soft. Blend and strain for a smooth sauce.
This no-bake treat is easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
8. Strawberry Gelato
Strawberry gelato is a cool, creamy treat perfect for hot summer days. This Italian-style ice cream has a smooth texture and intense strawberry flavor.
To make it at home, you’ll need fresh strawberries, milk, cream, and sugar. Puree the berries and mix with the other ingredients.
If you have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture in and churn according to the instructions. Without a machine, you can still make gelato by freezing the mix and stirring every 30 minutes.
For best results, let your gelato freeze for 2-3 hours before serving. Scoop it into cones or bowls and enjoy the rich strawberry taste.
9. Strawberry Eclairs
Strawberry eclairs are a delightful twist on the classic French pastry. You’ll love the light, airy choux pastry filled with sweet strawberry cream.
To make these treats, bake the eclair shells until golden brown. Let them cool before filling.
For the strawberry filling, mix fresh strawberry puree into custard or whipped cream. Pipe this into the cooled shells.
Top your eclairs with chocolate ganache or strawberry glaze for extra flavor. Add a fresh strawberry slice as a finishing touch.
These pretty pink pastries are perfect for spring gatherings or afternoon tea. Your friends and family will be impressed by your baking skills.
10. Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream
Strawberry mochi ice cream blends Japanese and American flavors in a tasty treat. It’s a frozen dessert wrapped in soft, chewy mochi dough.
You only need two main ingredients: strawberry ice cream and mochi. The ice cream filling is scooped into small balls and frozen solid.
The mochi dough is made from sweet rice flour, sugar, and water. It’s cooked until stretchy, then wrapped around the ice cream balls.
You can buy premade strawberry mochi ice cream or make it at home. Homemade versions let you control the sweetness and use your favorite ice cream brand.
This dessert is best eaten right away. The contrast between the cold ice cream and soft mochi makes for a fun eating experience.
11. Strawberry Lemonade Bars
Strawberry lemonade bars are a tasty summer treat that combines two classic flavors. You’ll love the buttery shortbread crust topped with a fruity filling.
The crust is made with flour, butter, and sugar. It’s easy to press into the pan before baking.
For the filling, mix fresh strawberries with lemon juice and zest. Add eggs and sugar to create a smooth, tangy mixture. Pour it over the crust and bake until set.
Once cooled, dust the bars with powdered sugar. Cut them into squares for a portable snack. These bars are perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just enjoying at home.
12. Strawberry Swirl Bundt Cake
You’ll love this eye-catching dessert that combines the sweetness of strawberries with the rich texture of a bundt cake. To make it, you’ll need a cake mix, pudding mix, and fresh strawberries.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix the cake ingredients, including sour cream and oil, for a moist base.
For the strawberry swirl, cook pureed strawberries with sugar and lemon juice until thickened.
Pour half the cake batter into a greased bundt pan. Add the strawberry mixture and swirl it through. Top with remaining batter and bake for about an hour.
Once cooled, drizzle with a simple vanilla icing for the perfect finishing touch. Your strawberry swirl bundt cake will be a showstopper at any gathering.
13. Strawberry Trifle
Strawberry trifle is a delicious layered dessert that’s perfect for warm days. You’ll love how easy it is to make.
Start with cubes of pound cake or angel food cake as the base. Add a layer of fresh strawberries on top.
Next, spread vanilla pudding over the fruit. For extra flavor, mix cream cheese into the pudding.
Top it all with whipped cream. Repeat these layers until your bowl is full.
Let the trifle chill in the fridge before serving. This gives the flavors time to blend together.
Serve your strawberry trifle in a clear glass bowl. This shows off the pretty layers and makes it look extra tempting.
14. Strawberry Sorbet
Strawberry sorbet is a cool, refreshing treat perfect for hot summer days. You can make it at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Start by blending fresh strawberries until smooth. Mix in some sugar syrup and a splash of lemon juice for balance.
Pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze it. Stir occasionally as it freezes to break up ice crystals.
The result is a light, fruity dessert bursting with strawberry flavor. It’s dairy-free and lower in calories than ice cream.
Serve your homemade strawberry sorbet in chilled bowls for a delightful end to any meal. You can also use it to make floats or shakes.
15. Strawberry and Cream Cheese Turnovers
Strawberry and cream cheese turnovers are a tasty treat you can enjoy for breakfast or dessert. These pastries combine flaky puff pastry with sweet strawberries and tangy cream cheese.
To make them, you’ll need puff pastry, fresh strawberries, cream cheese, and sugar.
Cut the pastry into squares and add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture and strawberry filling to each one.
Fold the pastry into triangles and seal the edges. Brush with egg wash and bake until golden brown.
For extra sweetness, drizzle a simple vanilla glaze on top after they cool.
These turnovers are perfect for brunch or as a late-night snack. The crispy exterior and gooey interior create a delightful contrast of textures.
16. Strawberry Galette
A strawberry galette is a rustic, free-form pastry that’s easy to make at home. You start by rolling out a circle of pie dough on a baking sheet.
Next, you mix sliced strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest for the filling. Spread this mixture in the center of the dough, leaving a border around the edges.
Fold the edges up and over the strawberries, creating pleats as you go. This forms a crust that contains the filling.
Before baking, brush the crust with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Let the galette cool before serving. It’s delicious on its own or topped with vanilla ice cream.
17. Strawberry Mousse
Strawberry mousse is a light and creamy dessert that’s perfect for warm days. You can make it easily at home with just a few ingredients.
Start by blending fresh strawberries with sugar to create a smooth puree. Whip some heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks.
Gently fold the strawberry puree into the whipped cream. Be careful not to overmix, as this can deflate the mousse.
Spoon the mixture into glasses or bowls. Chill it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
For extra flair, top your mousse with fresh strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream. This dessert is sure to impress your guests with its pretty pink color and delicious taste.
18. Strawberry-Lemon Pound Cake
Strawberry-Lemon Pound Cake combines two favorite flavors in one delicious dessert. This moist cake has a rich, buttery texture with bursts of fresh strawberries and bright lemon zest.
To make it, mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, and lemon juice.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients, folding in diced strawberries last.
Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake until golden brown. Once cooled, top with a tangy lemon glaze for extra zing.
Slice and enjoy this perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.
19. Strawberry Crepe Cake
Strawberry crepe cake is a show-stopping dessert that combines thin, delicate crepes with luscious strawberry filling. To make it, you’ll need to prepare a batch of crepes and a strawberry cream.
Start by blending milk, flour, eggs, sugar, and melted butter for the crepe batter. Cook the crepes in a non-stick pan until golden.
For the filling, blend fresh strawberries with cream and sugar. Layer the crepes with the strawberry cream, building up the cake.
Chill the cake for a few hours before serving. Top with fresh strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
20. Strawberry Mille-Feuille
Strawberry mille-feuille is a delightful French pastry that combines flaky puff pastry with creamy filling and fresh strawberries.
To make this dessert, you’ll need puff pastry sheets, pastry cream, whipped cream, and ripe strawberries.
Start by baking thin sheets of puff pastry until golden brown. Once cooled, layer them with a mixture of pastry cream and whipped cream.
Add sliced strawberries between the layers for bursts of fruity flavor.
Top your mille-feuille with a final layer of pastry and dust it with powdered sugar. For an extra touch, drizzle some strawberry sauce over the top.
This elegant dessert is perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special.
21. Strawberry Pop-Tarts
Strawberry Pop-Tarts are a beloved breakfast treat you can make at home.
Start by making a simple pie crust dough with flour, sugar, salt, butter, and sour cream. Chill the dough before rolling it out.
For the filling, simmer strawberries with sugar and lemon juice until thick.
Roll out the dough and cut it into rectangles. Place a spoonful of filling on half of each rectangle.
Fold the dough over and seal the edges with a fork. Brush with egg wash and bake until golden brown. Let them cool before adding a sweet icing on top.
These homemade Pop-Tarts taste even better than store-bought ones. You can enjoy them fresh from the oven or freeze them for later.
22. Strawberry Scones
Strawberry scones are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of strawberries with buttery, flaky pastry. You can make these easily at home with just a few ingredients.
To start, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Next, fold in diced fresh or dried strawberries. Pour in cream and mix until a soft dough forms.
Shape the dough into a circle and cut it into wedges.
Before baking, brush the scones with cream and sprinkle with sugar for a crispy top. Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
Enjoy your strawberry scones warm with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also add a simple glaze for extra sweetness if you like.
23. Strawberry Pavlova
Strawberry Pavlova is a show-stopping dessert that combines crisp meringue, fluffy whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. You’ll love its mix of textures and flavors.
To make it, you whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form. Then you bake the meringue at a low temperature for about 2 hours. This creates a crisp outer shell with a marshmallow-like center.
Once cooled, top the meringue with sweetened whipped cream.
Add sliced strawberries tossed with sugar and lemon zest for extra flavor. The result is a beautiful, light dessert perfect for special occasions or summer gatherings.
24. Strawberry Napoleon
A Strawberry Napoleon is a delightful layered dessert. You’ll love its mix of crispy puff pastry and creamy filling. Fresh strawberries add a burst of fruity flavor.
To make it, bake puff pastry squares until golden brown. Let them cool, then split each one in half.
Whip up a smooth custard or pudding for the filling.
Layer the pastry, filling, and sliced strawberries. Repeat to create multiple tiers. Dust the top with powdered sugar for a pretty finish.
This elegant treat is perfect for special occasions. You can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble just before serving.
25. Strawberry Almond Tart
Strawberry almond tart combines sweet berries with nutty flavors. You’ll love this dessert’s buttery crust and creamy filling.
Start by making a simple almond crust. Mix butter, sugar, and almond flour. Press the dough into a tart pan and chill it.
For the filling, blend fresh strawberries with sugar and a thickener. Spread this mixture over the chilled crust.
Top your tart with sliced almonds before baking. The nuts will toast up nicely, adding crunch and flavor.
Bake the tart until golden brown. Let it cool before slicing. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Health Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries pack a powerful nutritional punch. These sweet red berries offer many health perks thanks to their rich nutrient content and antioxidant properties.
Nutritional Value
Strawberries are low in calories but high in essential nutrients. One cup of halved strawberries has only 49 calories.
They’re an excellent source of vitamin C, with one cup providing about 85% of your daily needs. This vitamin helps boost your immune system.
Strawberries also contain fiber, which aids digestion. They’re a good source of folate, important for cell growth.
You’ll get potassium from strawberries too, which supports heart health.
These berries have small amounts of other vitamins and minerals. They contain vitamin B6, vitamin K, manganese, and magnesium.
Strawberries are also over 90% water, making them hydrating.
Antioxidant Properties
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants. These compounds help protect your cells from damage.
The bright red color comes from anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant.
Eating strawberries may lower inflammation in your body. This could reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
The antioxidants in strawberries might help prevent heart disease and certain cancers.
Strawberries contain ellagic acid, another antioxidant. It may slow the growth of some cancer cells.
The vitamin C in strawberries acts as an antioxidant too. It helps your body make collagen, which keeps your skin healthy.
Tips for Picking the Best Strawberries
Choosing ripe strawberries and storing them properly will give you the sweetest, juiciest fruit. Here’s what you need to know to get the best berries.
Selecting Ripe Strawberries
Look for bright red berries with fresh green caps. Avoid strawberries with white or green patches, as they won’t ripen after picking.
Check the bottom of the container for crushed or moldy berries. Even one bad berry can spoil the bunch.
Give the berries a sniff. Ripe strawberries have a sweet, fragrant smell. If they don’t smell like anything, they probably won’t taste like much either.
Pick berries that are firm and plump. Soft or mushy spots mean the fruit is starting to go bad.
Storage Tips to Maximize Freshness
Don’t wash strawberries until you’re ready to eat them. Moisture can make them spoil faster.
Keep the green caps on until you’re ready to use the berries. This helps them stay fresh longer.
Store strawberries in the fridge in a single layer. Use a paper towel-lined container with holes for air flow.
Eat strawberries within 3-5 days for the best taste and texture.
If you can’t eat them all, freeze the extras. Wash, hull, and slice the berries before freezing on a baking sheet.