Berry Temptations: The Ultimate Guide to Strawberry Desserts

Strawberries, with their juicy sweetness and bright red hue, are a beloved ingredient in countless desserts. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, strawberry desserts are perfect for all occasions. This fruit is the jewel of the dessert world that is sweet, tangy, and bursting with flavor. In this guide, discover irresistible strawberry desserts that are as easy to make as they are delicious.

Classic Strawberry Shortcake

This is one of those classic desserts that not only looks beautiful, but also tastes delicious. It is as much a comfort dessert as a Chocolate Sponge Cake, and is loved by all.

Ingredients:

• 500 gm fresh strawberries, sliced
• 100 gm granulated sugar
• 240 ml heavy cream
• 5 ml vanilla extract
• 250 gm all-purpose flour
• 100 gm unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 10 gm baking powder
• 60 g granulated sugar (for dough)
• 120 ml milk
• A pinch of salt

Procedure:

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

• In a medium bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with 100 gm sugar. Let them sit for 20 minutes, allowing the berries to release their natural juices and soften.

Step 2: Make the Shortcake Dough

• Preheat your oven to 200°C. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, 60 gm sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Slowly add the milk, stirring gently until the dough comes together. Be careful not to over-mix.

Step 3: Bake the Shortcakes

• On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1.5 cm thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out shortcakes (about 7-8 cm in diameter).
• Place the shortcakes on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool.

Step 4: Whip the Cream

• In a chilled bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, 5 ml vanilla extract, and 15 gm sugar until soft peaks form.

Step 5: Assemble the Shortcake

• Slice each shortcake in half. Layer with a generous amount of strawberries and whipped cream. Top with the other half of the shortcake, adding more cream and strawberries if desired. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Cheesecake Tart

Strawberry Cheesecake Tart is a luscious dessert featuring a buttery, crisp tart crust filled with creamy cheesecake and topped with fresh, juicy strawberries. The balance of tangy cream cheese and sweet berries creates a perfect harmony of flavors in every bite. We love a good Chocolate Tart, but, for a change, let’s try the one with strawberries.

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 200 gm digestive biscuits, crushed
• 80 gm unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 250 gm cream cheese, softened
• 100 ml heavy cream
• 60 gm powdered sugar
• 5 ml vanilla extract
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 300 gm fresh strawberries, halved

Procedure:

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

• In a large bowl, mix the crushed digestive biscuits with the melted butter until it resembles wet sand.
• Press the mixture firmly into the base of a tart pan (about 23 cm in diameter) and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

Step 2: Make the Filling

• In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice, mixing until fully combined.
• In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture.

Step 3: Assemble the Tart

• Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the prepared crust.
• Arrange the halved strawberries on top of the filling in a decorative pattern.
• Refrigerate the tart for at least two hours before serving. Slice and enjoy the creamy, fruity goodness.

Strawberry Sorbet

Beat off heat, or make a cool treat that is healthy, tasty and can be served alongside Chocolate Pizza.

Ingredients:

• 500 gm fresh strawberries, hulled
• 150 gm granulated sugar
• 120 ml water
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 15 ml honey (optional)

Procedure:

Step 1: Make a Simple Syrup

• In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Allow it to cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Blend the Strawberries

• In a blender, puree the strawberries until smooth. If you prefer a smoother sorbet, strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the seeds.

Step 3: Combine and Chill

• In a bowl, mix the strawberry puree with the cooled simple syrup, lemon juice, and honey if using. Stir well to combine.
• Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually around 20-30 minutes.

Step 4: Freeze

• Transfer the churned sorbet to a container and freeze for at least 2 hours before serving. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, simply freeze the mixture in a shallow container and stir it every 30 minutes to break up any ice crystals.