Juicy, sweet and succulent, strawberries are the unofficial fruit of summer. There’s no better way to end a perfectly grilled meal than with a dessert full of fresh berry goodness. Here are a few sweet strawberry treats to keep you going all summer long.
1. Balsamic Strawberries Over Ice Cream
The rich taste of balsamic vinegar adds a tangy kick to this sophisticated dessert. No skimping on the ice cream! Look for a good brand of extra creamy French vanilla.
Ingredients:
1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
½ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 mint leaves, finely chopped
4 scoops French vanilla ice cream
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sugar and balsamic vinegar, and stir until it begins to melt. Add strawberries and mint. Cook until strawberries begin to soften and turn a deep red. Scoop ice cream into bowls and top with warm strawberries.
Put a modern spin on classic strawberry shortcake by layering grilled pound cake, sweetened whip cream and balsamic strawberries.
2. Strawberry Kiwi Trifle
Fresh donut holes are the secret ingredient to this perfect ending to a summer meal. Swing by your favorite shop before preparing and find them as fresh as possible.
Ingredients:
2 cups vanilla pudding
¼ cup orange liquor
1 container whipped topping
4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
½ cup orange segments
24 glazed donut holes
Stir together orange liquor and vanilla pudding. Fold in whipped topping until well incorporated but still fluffy. Place half of the donut holes in the bottom of a trifle dish or deep casserole dish. Top with ½ of the pudding mixture and strawberries, orange segments, and kiwis. Layer remaining donut holes on top of fruit, and finish with remaining pudding mix.
Mix and match this recipe based on what you have on hand. Try switching the vanilla pudding for strawberry yogurt, exchanging the kiwis for banana slices, and substituting strawberry banana juice for the orange liquor.
3. Refreshing Strawberry Shakes
This creamy treat also doubles as a great breakfast shake. Thick Greek yogurt is packed with protein and makes any dessert more delicious.
Ingredients:
1 cup honey flavored Greek yogurt
½ cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
1 tablespoon strawberry preserves
1 banana, peeled and chopped
1 mint leaf, finely chopped
4 ice cubes
Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until frothy. Serve chilled.
Make these an indulgent after-dinner treats by substituting strawberry ice cream for the yogurt and chocolate syrup for the preserves.
4. Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble
The sweet-tart taste of this crumble makes it summer in a bite. Top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients:
½ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cups brown sugar, divided
2 cups all purpose flour, divided
4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
4 cups fresh rhubarb, diced
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375 and line the bottom shelf of the oven with aluminum foil to catch drips. In a large bowl, mix the granulated sugar, ½ cup of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of the flour, strawberries, rhubarb, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place mixture in a greased baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix remaining flour, remaining brown sugar, butter and oats using your hand or a pastry cutter. Crumble evenly across the rhubarb strawberry mixture and bake for 40 minutes, or until topping is crisp and lightly browned.
This simple crumble recipe can be adapted to whichever fruits you have on hand. Try omitting the rhubarb and using diced peeled peaches, blueberries and raspberries instead. Stir in ¼ teaspoon of almond extract and the zest of one orange for an even brighter pop of flavor.
5. Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches
A New Jersey boardwalk treat, these sandwiches are worth the mess they make. Consider assembling a line of toppings – chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, chocolate chips, toasted coconut – and letting everyone build their own sandwiches.
Ingredients:
8 thick Belgian waffles, toasted
4 scoops strawberry ice cream, softened
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
Chocolate sauce
In a bowl, fold strawberries into softened ice cream. Spoon ice cream onto a warm waffle, drizzle with chocolate sauce, and top with second waffle.
Make it Neapolitan by mixing equal parts strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice creams. Replace chocolate sauce with strawberry syrup, and you’ve got a decadent ice cream sandwich that’s sure to please.
What’s your favorite strawberry dessert that helps you beat the heat?
