Strawberry Desserts - Cooking Light

Photo: Lauren Rubinstein

Our Best Strawberry Recipes

Nothing says springtime like the season's luscious berries. Let dazzling strawberries take the stage and we promise they won't disappoint.

Our first recipe is as beautiful as it is delicious. Nestled in a creamy filling and crumbly graham cracker crust, strawberries shine in this delectable tart.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberry Granita

This recipe packs beautiful flavor and panache. If you'd like to spruce it up, top with chopped or halved fresh strawberries and grated lemon zest.

View Recipe: Strawberry Granita

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberry Shortcake

Due to its lower fat content, this shortcake can overcook and crumble quickly, so watch it carefully in the oven—don't allow it to brown.

View Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Spring Strawberry Pie

This timeless graham-cracker-crusted treat is made more sophisticated with a splash of balsamic vinegar and a hazelnut streusel topping.

View Recipe: Spring Strawberry Pie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Lemon Cloud with Strawberry-Mint Compote

Here's a case where you want your soufflés to fall. As they do, the lemon flavor intensifies, and the texture becomes almost cakelike.

View Recipe: Lemon Cloud with Strawberry-Mint Compote

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberries in Meyer Lemon Syrup

Meyer lemons, available through May, have sweeter, more aromatic juice than regular lemons. To ensure the dessert doesn't get too tart if substituting regular lemon juice, begin with 2 tablespoons juice, and taste; add more juice if desired. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

View Recipe: Strawberries in Meyer Lemon Syrup

Photo: Sang An

Lavender-Scented Strawberries with Honey Cream

Showcase the season's first berries in this rich, not-too-sweet dessert. Be sure to use Greek yogurt, which has been strained and is thus very thick and creamy.

View Recipes: Lavender-Scented Strawberries with Honey Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Cream

Make a nonalcoholic version of this grown-up ice cream by substituting cranberry juice cocktail for the wine.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Cream

Photo: Randy Mayor

Strawberry Layer Cake

For a dessert that looks as good as it tastes, this Strawberry Layer Cake is an elegant treat for any occasion. Tip: you can use fresh orange juice instead of Grand Marnier in the cream cheese frosting.

View Recipe: Strawberry Layer Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberry Parfaits

Layer fresh berries with a creamy ricotta mixture for a crowd-pleasing no-bake treat.

View Recipe: Strawberry Parfaits

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes pairs citrus-spiked strawberries with tender buttermilk shortcakes. You won't be able to get enough of this delicious early spring dessert.

View Recipe: Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberry-Topped Pavlovas with Honey-Balsamic Sauce

The components of this dessert can be prepared in stages and assembled shortly before serving. Store meringues in an airtight container at room temperature up to one week; refrigerate strawberries and sauce for up to two days. Garnish with mint.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Topped Pavlovas with Honey-Balsamic Sauce

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberry Parfait with Fresh Normandy Cream

This dessert is simple to make and has the most amazing combination of flavors and textures. It combines sweet and tart, creamy and peppery flavors. Try to purchase locally grown strawberries that have ripened on the plant.

View Recipe: Strawberry Parfait with Fresh Normandy Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberries Romanoff

Marinating fruit in liquid is also called macerating. Orange-flavored liqueur complements fresh berries in this classic dessert. Macerate for only the length of time specified so the strawberries retain their texture.

View Recipe: Strawberries Romanoff

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Strawberry-Chocolate Meringue Torte

If you can look at this delicious chocolate dessert without drooling, then you must be dreaming. With just one bite, you'll agree that this tastes even better than it looks.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Chocolate Meringue Torte

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Ricotta-Strawberry Napoleons

Crisp sheets of sugared phyllo, creamy ricotta and honey, and showstopping strawberries combine to create a delightful dessert that everyone will be sure to love. Seconds, please!

View Recipe: Ricotta-Strawberry Napoleons

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Simple Strawberry Mousse

This light and airy dessert will leave you feeling satisfied and refreshed. It is the perfect way to showcase the season's delicious strawberries.

View Recipe: Simple Strawberry Mousse

Photo: Romulo Yanes

No-Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie

Glorious spring berries are the focus here—tons of them, piled atop a layer of creamy filling. You can leave small berries whole.

View Recipe: No-Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Strawberry-Lemon Shortcakes

Tender biscuits get a little lift from sweet, floral lemon rind. For slightly taller shortcakes with soft sides, pack biscuits into a round cake pan; for separate shortcakes with crisp edges, arrange onto a baking sheet with space between.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Lemon Shortcakes

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Strawberry-Buttermilk Sherbet

This five-ingredient recipe is one of those refreshingly light desserts that can be so satisfying.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Buttermilk Sherbet