These are the best strawberry desserts to celebrate strawberry season! Choose from making sweet fillings for pies, satisfy the sweet tooth with ice cream or make a classic shortcake.
Other collections you may like to celebrate summer include top no-bake desserts and these easy 4th of July desserts!
Table of Contents
- A Berry Sweet Treat
- Preserving the Strawberry Season
- Best Way to Serve Desserts with Strawberries
- Cakes, Trifles & More
- No-Bake Fresh Strawberry Desserts
- Pies, Tarts and Cheesecake Desserts with Strawberries
- Strawberry Cookies, Brownies and Bars
- Strawberry Recipes for Frosting, Sauces and Dips
- Strawberry FAQs
- Best Strawberry Desserts Printable Recipe
- The Full List of Best Strawberry Desserts
A Berry Sweet Treat
I love all the seasons, but my favorite might just be strawberry season. It marks the true beginning of summer with sweet berry desserts that can be served on sunny days.
There is just something so fresh and delightful about strawberry desserts, and I have gathered all of my favorites just for you. From the homemade strawberry ice cream to a beautiful strawberry pie that is always a hit at any outdoor party, these recipes are delicious.
Preserving the Strawberry Season
In my humble opinion, strawberry season should last all year. The few months it is here isn’t long enough to get my strawberry fill, so I like to make it last a little bit longer by either freezing my berries (see how in FAQs below) or turning them into this addictive homemade strawberry jam or my favorite combination strawberry rhubarb jam.
Best Way to Serve Desserts with Strawberries
There are so many delicious ways to serve your strawberry desserts! Many desserts pair well with a scoop of no churn vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or even a drizzle of hot fudge sauce.
Displaying your fresh strawberry desserts on a platter with a selection of other berry recipes at a BBQ is a great way for guests to pick and choose their favorites! A fruit platter or fruit kabobs is not only a great way to use up your extra fruit strawberries but can add balance to the dessert table!
Cakes, Trifles & More
One of my favorite ways to let strawberries sweet flavor really shine is by combining it with an airy cake, a fluffy crepe or layered in-between soft sponge.
- Classic Strawberry Shortcake. This strawberry dessert recipe is made with a homemade angel food cake, but you can also use my recipe for homemade pound cake.
- Jello Poke Cake. You only need 5 ingredients to make this fun dessert.
- Strawberry Sheet Cake. This airy cake is made with vanilla cake batter, a few pantry staples, sour cream, and fresh strawberry purée.
- Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. This beautiful fresh strawberry dessert is made with a delicious blend of buttery pound cake, sweet whipped cream and juicy strawberries.
- Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits. Top soft & fluffy homemade biscuits with sweet whipped cream and juicy strawberries.
- Brownie Strawberry Trifle. Layer strawberries, chocolate pudding, cream and brownies to make this impressive dessert.
- Strawberry Sour Cream Cake. The secret ingredient (sour cream!) makes this cake extremely moist and adds so much flavor.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. Sweet and tart, this is one of my favorite flavor combinations when it comes to strawberry dessert recipes.
- Strawberry Crepes. Filled with a simple 2-ingredient strawberry sauce, these crepes are ideal for dessert.
- Strawberry Bread. A fresh loaf that can be for breakfast or dessert! Add the strawberry glaze to really add that sweet berry flavor.
- Strawberry Shortcake Bars. An easy way to serve a crowd these bars are made in a sheet pan, topped with a whipped cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries.
No-Bake Fresh Strawberry Desserts
Strawberry season hits right as the weather outside starts to heat up, so these easy no-bake strawberry dessert recipes mean you don’t have to turn on a hot oven to enjoy a sweet treat. I love to include a few as part of my spread of easy 4th of July desserts!
- Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream. This ice cream is made with a no-cook cream base, so stove is even needed. It is so creamy and crammed with strawberry flavor.
- Strawberry Lasagna. No-bake cheesecake meets strawberry Jello to create an unforgettable layered dessert.
- Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries. The classic pairing is a favorite for a reason and one of the best easy strawberry desserts.
- EASY Homemade Popsicles. Just 3 ingredients is all it takes for a summer treat that will have everyone smiling. You can use almost any fruit, but strawberry is always a hit.
- Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Kabobs. All you need is strawberries, marshmallows, brownies and chocolate. You’re welcome.
- No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake. It doesn’t get any simpler than this. Simply layer graham crackers, whipped cream cheese filling and sliced strawberries.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Fudge. You can make this addictive treat in the microwave with only 5 ingredients.
Pies, Tarts and Cheesecake Desserts with Strawberries
It is hard to beat a gorgeous strawberry pie, piled high with glistening fruit and topped with clouds of whipped cream. I do also love, however, a decadent cheesecake topped with a strawberry sauce or a beautiful fruit tart that lets the sweetness of the berries shine. Why pick just one when it comes to deciding what to make with strawberries?
- Strawberry Pie Recipe. This is the perfect summer dessert, and is all about celebrating the sweetness of the strawberry.
- Strawberry Cream Pie. This family-favorite dessert combines two loves: cheesecake and strawberry pie.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Mousse. This strawberry dessert recipe is quick to whip up and is perfect for your next summer party.
- Fresh Fruit Tart. I love how beautiful this looks and it tastes even better thanks to the crumbly sweet crust, smooth custard and juicy fresh berries!
- Fruit Pizza. This is my quick take on a fruit tart and is made with a sugar cookie crust, cream cheese frosting, and your favorite fruit (like strawberries).
Strawberry Cookies, Brownies and Bars
Ok, you might not immediately think cookies, brownies, or even bars when you think strawberry, but I am here to tell you to think again. I love sweet strawberry flavor in cookie form or incorporated into a brownie, and there really is nothing like a crumb bar for a strawberry dessert.
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies. These are as simple as they sound and only require 3 ingredients. So easy yet so delicious.
- Strawberry Cookies. Soft cream cheese cookies bursting with freeze dried strawberries and topped with a strawberry glaze!
- Easy Strawberry Brownies. These are so decadent, gooey, and bursting with strawberry flavor. Just like a good brownie should be.
- Strawberry Crumb Bars. I love how these bars only need an easy crumb crust, strawberry sauce filling and buttery crumb topping to be amazing.
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Don’t let the name fool you. This old-fashioned strawberry dessert is made by layering a pretzel crust base with cream cheese frosting and a strawberry jello topping.
Strawberry Recipes for Frosting, Sauces and Dips
Strawberries make divine frostings, sauces and dips, and can be used in a multitude of different ways. You can simply top vanilla ice cream with a strawberry sauce for a quick treat or decoratively finish your cupcakes with a strawberry frosting. The options are limitless.
- Strawberry Dole Whip. Tropical and fruity, this ice-cold treat is perfect as a base for other fruits or as a shake all its own.
- Easy Strawberry Fruit Dip. My kids love this dessert and it only takes strawberry cream cheese, cool whip, marshmallow creme, lemon juice, and fresh lemon zest to make.
- Strawberry Buttercream Frosting. One of my favorite frostings to use for summer cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more!
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting. Made with fresh strawberry puree, the flavor of this frosting is to die for.
- Strawberry Sauce. This is a staple in our house, and only needs to 2 ingredients to make the perfect sauce for pancakes, ice cream, cheesecake, and more.
Strawberry FAQs
This is an important question, since strawberries are more susceptible to bugs and pesticides (especially if buying from the grocery store). I like to soak my strawberries in a mixture of vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) for 20 minutes before rinsing really well under a colander. If, however, they are fresh from the garden, a simple rinse will do the trick before using them in fresh strawberry recipes.
Not only do they taste delicious in strawberry recipes, but these sweet berries are also rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants.
You know, it gets a little complicated. Strawberries aren’t technically even berries, but they are considered an accessory fruit because they are actually multiple fruits. I highly recommend further investigation into the science of it all because it is wild.
Absolutely! It is one of my favorite ways to preserve the strawberry season. Simply wash the strawberries, lay them on a paper towel and let them air dry 30 minutes.
Remove any that show signs of mold and then hull them if you plan to use them in strawberry desserts or smoothies. Place them in an even layer on a baking sheet with room in-between each berry. Freeze 2 to 4 hours, or until solid; transfer to zip-top bag and store in the freezer 6 months for best flavor.
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Best Strawberry Desserts
Ingredients
- 3 pounds (about 5 cups) strawberries , washed, hulled, and dried
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ (3-ounces) packages strawberry gelatin
- Pinch salt
- Zest from 1/2 lemon , optional
- 1 pie crust , baked and completely cooled (see notes)
- Whipped cream , for serving
Instructions
- Slice strawberries in half or quarters. Place on paper towels and let dry.
- In a small sauce pan, combine the water, sugar, and cornstarch over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, stirring constantly, cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or until clear and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin, pinch of salt, and lemon zest, if desired. Stir 1 minute, or until gelatin has dissolved. Allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
- Layer the strawberries on top of the pie crust.
- Pour the glaze evenly over the top of the strawberries until well coated. Refrigerate 2 to 4 hours, or until the pie has set. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Slice into 8 slices and top with whipped cream to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
The Full List of Best Strawberry Desserts
Click on the links below to find the recipes for all of the delicious strawberry dessert recipes mentioned above.
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Recipe Roundup, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
We have a lot of fresh strawberries at home so looking for recipes to try. I tried Strawberry Shortcake Trifle and it was a huge success! So delicious, it was a great dessert. I love this list!
We eat soooo many strawberries! Can’t wait to try these recipes!
Strawberry is my favorite fruity desserts!! Your list has so many recipes that I want to try & many I have tried & just loved!!