Fresh strawberries are the ultimate summer treat. To make the most of this most delicious of fruit I have gathered together a collection of over 30 sensational strawberry recipes from my blog library and around the web.
Whether you grow them yourself or buy them from the shops when they are plentiful biting into this most delicious of berries when they are at their best, is a sure sign that summertime has arrived.
In additon to some of the strawberry recipes you will find here on Only Crumbs Remain, I have included delicious recipes from other top food bloggers, as well as recipes using strawberries from my other blog Recipes Made Easy.
Strawberries
It's difficult to trace the origins of the strawberry plant, but wild strawberries have been enjoyed for thousands of years across the globe.
Although the exact origin of its common name is unknown, the name strawberry is probably is a corruption of "strewn berry" a reference to the fact that, as a strawberry plant produced runners and spread, its berries were strewn about the ground.
The cultivated strawberries available today are derived from varieties that were originally developed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe.
Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside and each fruit has around 200 seeds.
Despite their name they are not technically a berry – A berry has its seeds on the inside.
To be super technical, each seed on a strawberry is considered by botanists to be its own separate fruit. I'll take their word for it!
And like apples and plums they are a member of the rose family.
It is a perennial plant which will come back again each year although it only remains productive for a few years.
Are Strawberries good for you?
They most certainly are!
Strawberries are low in calories, less than 50 Kcals per 100g.
There are an excellent source of Vitamin C and a good source of manganese, B6, K, fiber, folic acid and potassium. They also contain a modest amount of essential unsaturated fatty acids in the achene (seed) oil.
Strawberries contain high levels of nitrate. This has been shown to increase blood and oxygen flow to the muscles. Research suggests that people who load up on strawberries before exercising have greater endurance and burn more calories. I would be happy to give this a go.
Strawberry – A much loved fruit.
British strawberries account for 100% of the fresh strawberries sold in the UK during peak season. However despite a large increase in production over the last decade, Britain still relies on imports from Spain, Israel, Morocco, Egypt to meet the consumer demand for fresh berries during the rest of the year.
20 years ago the British strawberry season lasted a mere 6 weeks, but now lasts 6months, because 90% of British crops are now grown in polytunnels allowing the season to be extended.
The UK produced 132,000 tonnes of strawberries in 2018 and normally 28 tonnes of those are eaten at Wimbledon.
But it's not just the Brits who love them, Americans eat an average of three-and-a-half pounds (1.6kg) of fresh strawberries per person each year and quite a lot of frozen strawberries too.
California produces some 80% of the strawberries sold in the U.S. It produces about 2 billion fruits each year. But every state in the U.S., as well as every province in Canada, has strawberry producers.
Native Americans ate strawberries long before European settlers arrived.
Belgium has a museum dedicated to strawberries.
The Romans thought strawberries had medicinal powers.
In France, they are believed to be an aphrodisiac.
Buying, preparing and storing strawberries
Buying strawberries.
- The fruit should be not be firm or particularly soft (there should be no dampness on the bottom of the container).
- Look for berries that are unblemished and bright red with fresh-looking green leafy caps.
- The scent is an indicator of quality. Small strawberries often have more flavour.
- To get them at their freshest consider a trip to a Pick-Your-Own farm or local farmers' market or farm shop.
Storing strawberries
- Fresh strawberries perish quickly but may keep in the refrigerator for a few days. but are best eaten as fresh as possible. Always store unwashed.
- If not eating on the day of purchase, spread out on a plate or in a container in a single layer and cover with paper towels and store. Seal the container or pop the plate inside a plastic bag in a cool place.
- To freeze strawberries spread unwashed strawberries in a single layer on a tray and freeze until solid and then transfer to a freezer bag or sealed container.
Preparing strawberries
- Strawberries absorb water readily and so are best if they can be eaten unwashed if possible. If you've bought organic strawberries you can just wipe them with a damp kitchen towel.
- Non-organic strawberries are best rinsed and wiped clean. Do this before you cut or hull them and just before you wish to consume them.
- Serve at room temperature.
Strawberry recipes
While strawberries are absolutely delicious eaten on their own or served covered with cream, if you love strawberries then you are sure to love some of these recipes to enjoy them even more.
Cupcakes and muffins
Individual cakes filled with deliciousness, cupcakes and their slightly less extravagant cousins, muffins are the perfect teatime treat.
If strawberries and chocolate are the foods of love then you can be assured you are going to love these triple chocolate cupcakes.
The small strawberry cakes are packed with strawberry yumminess from the freeze dried strawberries in the sponge cake, the strawberry jam hiding in the centre of the cake, and the fresh strawberries used as the crowning glory. All topped with a homemade strawberry buttercream frosting.
The inviting drizzle of dark chocolate ganache helps to counter the sweetness of the cupcake and buttercream frosting!
With all this overindulgence on strawberries and cream you may be tempted by these muffins from Searching for Spice as a somewhat less naughty but still very nice treat.
If you need a gluten or dairy free treat then these Muffins form the Gluten Free Alchemist will do the trick.
Strawberries and white chocolate – I don't mind if I do, these are from Something Sweet Something Savoury
Larger cakes for sharing
From layered gateaux to easy everyday cakes there is strawberry cake to suit everyone and that's before we get to ice-creams and lollies.
I love the flavour of basil with strawberries and have used it here in this upside down cake which can double as a dessert.
This pretty strawberry cake is from Sew White has a fruity light sponge topped with a prosecco drizzle.
A layered sponge cake filled with strawberries and sweetened cream from Cooking with my kids
Who can resist a chocolate brownie and these brownies from Jo's Kitchen Larder have the addition of strawberries – a perfect treat the Summer.
Strawberry desserts
From classics to new takes; bakes and no-bake; hot or cold there's a strawberry dessert with your name on it.
These Strawberry jellies with chantilly cream on Recipes Made Easy are a delicious twist on strawberries and cream. Fresh strawberries set in bubbly rose wine and topped with sweetened cream.
This easy baked strawberry cheesecake is exactly what it says it is. Easy! Consisting of a biscuit crumb base, a creamy baked cheese filling and topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream
For a no-bake strawberry cheesecake try this one from Apply to Face Blog
or this slightly more elaborate no-bake cheesecake from the Baking Explorer.
Basil and balsamic vinegar might sound more like savoury flavours but these light and creamy basil scented panna cottas with balsamic strawberries make an unusual and fabulous summer dessert.
This delicious Strawberry Bread and Butter Pudding from Sew White is easy to make and is topped with flaked almonds and oven baked.
A perfect dessert for enjoying the delicious soft fruits of summer. It is quick to prepare but remember you will need to allow time for the pudding to stand overnight. – Recipes Made Easy
Definitely one of my favourite desserts this Eton Mess recipe is from my friend at Lost in Food.
These trifles are from the Gluten Free Alchemist made with gluten-free angel cake but you could use any sponge if you don't need them to be gluten free
Danish Red Berry Compote with Cream is a simple and traditional Danish dessert from Fab Food For All which uses seasonal berries.
This marshmallowy pavlova is made with a Swiss meringue & topped with macerated strawberries. It’s a straightforward bake which makes for a great centre piece when entertaining friends and family.
My stunning Summer Berry Pavlova on Recipes Made Easy has strawberries mixed with other summer berries.
Roasting strawberries intensifies the flavour and brings out the sweetness of this delicious soft fruit. These pancakes on Recipes Made Easy are a great way to serve them.
This rather fancy classic French cake is from A Baking Journey, and consists of a delicate Genoise cake an abundance of fresh Strawberries and luscious Diplomat Cream flavoured with Vanilla and Orange Blossom Water.
ICECREAM DESSERTS AND LOLLIES
Chill out with a strawberry ice cream or dessert.
A delicious homemade icecream packed with strawberries. It's the perfect frozen dessert to be enjoyed on its own but I love to serve it drizzled with chocolate sauce.
A Baked Alaska is perfect when you want to have some baking excitement in the kitchen!
These homemade strawberry yogurt lollies are super refreshing and a doddle to make. Containing fresh strawberries, yogurt and just a small amount of added refined sugar, these homemade popsicles are a great guilt free summer time treat.
This recipe for Ice Cream from Taste Botanical uses strawberries that have been macerated in balsamic vinegar.
Strawberry tarts and pastries
Strawberry tarts are a classic dessert which makes the most of this summer produce.
A classic strawberry tart with the addition of a delicious chocolate drizzle.
These strawberry tarts from Farmers Girl Kitchen are made with crunchy flaky puff pastry
These jam and cream tarts from Jess Eats and Travels are very special jam tarts!
STRAWBERRY JAMS AND PRESERVES
This is a simple step by step recipe for strawberry jam on my other blog Recipes Made Easy.
Rhubarb and strawberries are a great combination used here to make a delicious jam.
For a little more unusual preserve try this jam from Taste Botanical.
I love the idea of Strawberry curd from Lavender and Lovage as a delicious change from Strawberry jam on scones.
OTHER STRAWBERRY RECIPES
You will find more than one or two fudge recipes here at Only Crumbs Remain and this one includes strawberries and jolly good it is too!
These breakfast bites, energy balls, protein bites, bliss balls call them what you will are made with frozen strawberries from My Kids Lick the bowl but I'm sure you could use fresh.
This recipe from Larder Love has me at the mere mention of gin!
A middle Eastern strawberry flavoured drink from Jess Eats and Travels
Strawberries are fabulous and this watermelon and strawberry salad with goats cheese from Surprising Recipes would make a fantastic alfresco lunch.
I'm linking this post to #CookBlogShare hosted at Lost in Food
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
Wow! What a totally AMAZING collection of strawberry recipes. I absolutely love strawberry season. So it's lovely to see so much inspiration here on how to buy, store and eat them.
And thank you so much for including tow of my strawberry recipes as well.
xx
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Kate its not hard to make an amazing collection with so many amazing strawberry recipes out there yours included. so thank you for letting me feature them.
Chloe Edges | Feast Glorious Feast
Oh my gosh, I want something strawberry more than anything right now!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I often feel the same just love strawberries!
Joanna
This is such a brilliant post. I would challenge anyone looking for inspiration for a strawberry recipe not to find it here. It pretty much covers it all from cakes to ice-cream and everything in between!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thanks Joanna There certainly is a lot of choice and im not complaining. I want to try them all
Jenny Walters
What a fabulous post!! Packed full of gorgeous recipes. Thank you lots for including my cheesecake. They all look absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to get trying them! Big yum x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thanks Janny lots od deliciousness here to try. You can't have too many strawberry recipes.
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
What a fantastic compilation of tempting recipes Jacqui! Thank you so much for including my strawberry chocolate brownies! 🙂 I am always so excited for strawberry season and really try to make the most of it and eat pretty much my body weight in strawberries lol. Now I will also have lots of goodies to turn them into!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thanks Jo Im with you I adore strawberries and will happily eat tons of them. Lucky they are low cal! Although not so much if you make them into some of these recipes. still worth it though! You brownie looks fab.
Michelle Rolfe
Wow - that entire post is like my heaven! I absolutely adore strawberries. Most of the time they never make it into anything other than our mouths! We are lucky as one of the best Scottish Farms is only 6 miles away and always a treat when they open. I now have so many recipes to try! Thanks for including our Eton Mess as well:-) Michelle x