17 Delicious Strawberry Recipes That Call For Fresh-Picked Fruit

Put your summer strawberry haul to good use.

strawberry-chia-breakfast-pudding-
Photo:

Greg DuPree

Thanks to advances in refrigeration and transportation, strawberries are now basically a season-less fruit, but for much of America the sweetest, juiciest strawberries can be found in the spring and summer months. This is why strawberry picking is such a popular activity as soon as the warmer weather rolls around. But, once you bring home pounds of fresh strawberries, the challenge is discovering how to enjoy all of them before they spoil.

That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a roundup of delicious strawberry recipes that require large quantities of the fresh fruit, meaning that no strawberry you picked (or recently purchased from the grocery store or farmer’s market) will go to waste. These strawberry recipes run the gamut from breakfast to dessert, and can be enjoyed at any point during the year. A few of them even call for fresh and frozen strawberries, which is ideal for days when you don’t have an abundance the whole fruit on hand. Scroll down so you can make a Mixed-Berry Icebox Cake, a Lillet-Strawberry Spritz, and so much more!

01 of 17

Sheet Pan Pavlova With Berries and Mangoes

Sheet Pan Pavlova
Greg DuPree

Welcome the warmer weather and the produce that comes with it by topping this sheet pan pavlova with fresh, seasonal fruit. This recipe uses summer favorites like strawberries, blueberries, and mango, but in-season pineapple and kiwifruit also work well.

02 of 17

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

strawberry-cheesecake-bars-0424DOOSWEET_9699-realsimple

Victor Protasio

If you love a salty-sweet combination, look no further than these swirled strawberry cheesecake bars. The crust on the bottom is made from finely crushed pretzels, butter, and brown sugar, for a salty yet slightly sweet foundation. On the other hand, the top layer of this colorful dessert is made with fresh strawberries, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and more.

03 of 17

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Getty Images

You can use fresh or frozen strawberries for this classic cocktail. If you opt for the fresh fruit, try blending it with some ice so you can still get that frothy consistency. For the best results, use good rum and steer clear of store-bought sour mix—fresh lime juice is the way to go.

04 of 17

Mixed-Berry Icebox Cake

Mixed-Berry Icebox Cake Recipe
Greg DuPree

This icebox cake features a berry-infused whipped cream that’s complemented by salty buttery round crackers and accented with strawberry jam. The sweet and savory dessert is then refrigerated for several hours and topped with fresh strawberries and other berries of your choosing. The best part about this impressive treat is that you don't even need to turn on the oven.

05 of 17

Strawberry-Chia Breakfast Pudding

strawberry-chia-breakfast-pudding-

Greg DuPree

This vegan breakfast recipe is not for the spontaneous, but if you remember to prep this meal the night before, you'll be richly rewarded in the morning. Chia seeds need to soak in coconut yogurt, coconut milk, and vanilla overnight (or for at least 4 hours) to become soft and flavorful by morning. To serve, mix with fresh strawberries (or any fruit) and top with your favorite granola.

06 of 17

Frozen Strawberry Trifle With Ladyfingers

Frozen Strawberry Trifle
Caitlin Bensel

If you’re overwhelmed by your meal prep and need a make-ahead dessert, this trifle is it. It's made with only five ingredients—fresh and frozen strawberries, sugar, cream, ladyfingers, and ice cream—and is refreshingly cool since your freezer will do most of the work.

07 of 17

Honey Whole Wheat-Strawberry Clafoutis

Honey Whole Wheat Strawberry Clafoutis
Kelsey Hansen

This popular French dessert is made with whole-wheat flour, sweetened with honey, and packed with fresh strawberries. While a nice crust forms on the outside, the inside of this picture-perfect confection remains deliciously custardy. Just make sure you serve this treat immediately because, like a soufflé, the center sinks as it cools.

08 of 17

Lillet-Strawberry Spritz

Lillet-Strawberry Spritz

Greg DuPree

Cool off with this refreshing summer beverage that combines Lillet, a French wine blended with citrus liqueurs, with club soda, dry sparkling rosé, and fresh strawberries for a whimsical touch. It's perfect for a picnic or outdoor dinner party, adding a touch of elegance and flavor to any gathering. Your guests are sure to be charmed by this delicious and sophisticated drink.

09 of 17

Summer Berry Trifle With Elderflower Cream

In this berry trifle, elderflower-spiked whipped cream draws out the layers of fresh summer berries, and crushed cookies soak up the berry juices.
Greg DuPree

Keep this elderflower liqueur-spiked trifle on the adults-only table for your next gathering. The boozy cream is layered between crushed cookies and lots of fresh berries. It's a dessert that takes little effort to put together but will absolutely wow your guests once it’s complete.

10 of 17

Strawberry Hand Pies

0923-fea-Strawberry-Pastries

Antonis Achilleos

We love the buttery, flaky crust in this nostalgic recipe. But the real treat is inside: a decadent, homemade jam that contrasts perfectly with the sweet icing drizzled over top. These handheld desserts are perfect for a crowd, or little ones who are prone to making a mess.

11 of 17

PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches

PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches
Greg DuPree

Feel like a kid again with this ice cream dessert that plays on the classic lunchbox staple. It sandwiches a scoop of vanilla ice cream between peanut butter cookies spread with strawberry jam. A final roll in freeze-dried strawberries and chopped peanuts adds a satisfying crunch.

12 of 17

No Churn Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream

No Churn Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream
Samantha Seneviratne

Strawberry ice cream gets an upgrade by roasting the fresh strawberries first, which concentrates their flavor. This homemade ice cream recipe doesn't require an ice cream maker, so it's perfect to make for a casual summer get-together. Assemble a DIY ice cream topping bar for an interactive layer to dessert.

13 of 17

Sunset Daiquiris

Sunset Daiquiri
RealSimple.com

Staying true to their name, these colorful daiquiris look like a bonafide sunset. That’s thanks to a bottom layer of frozen pineapple, rum, agave, and lime juice, a middle layer of frozen strawberries with more rum, agave, and lime juice, and a top layer of frozen mango, rum, agave, and lime juice. The end result is a boozy, slushie drink that’s perfect to sip on a balmy afternoon. Garnish with fresh strawberries and enjoy!

14 of 17

Overnight Oats With Strawberries and Toasted Almonds

Overnight Oats With Strawberries and Toasted Almonds
Jen Causey

This no-cook breakfast recipe gives old-fashioned rolled oats the overnight treatment and serves them cold. The recipe calls for fresh strawberries and sliced almonds, but feel free to use your favorite toppings like chopped pecans, banana slices, and granola.

15 of 17

Frozen Rosé Frosé

The Easiest-Ever Way to Make Frosé (Frozen Rosé) At Home
bhofack2

It’s hard to escape summer without having a glass or two of frosé, especially if you’re partial to block parties and barbecues. To make this refreshing drink you’ll combine rosé, grenadine, and a shot of vodka with some fresh strawberries and sugar for extra flavor. The berries also help give this cocktail its unmistakable pink hue.

16 of 17

Cranberry & Strawberry Crumb Pie

Cranberry-Strawberry Crumb Pie
Johnny Miller

Tart cranberries and sweet strawberries (which you can purchase fresh or frozen) come together to create this fruit-filled pie. And don’t even get us started on the classic crumb topping spiced with cinnamon and ginger, which helps create a dessert that's vaguely muffin-y in all the best ways.

17 of 17

Strawberry-Flax Smoothie

Strawberry-Flax Smoothie
Grant Cornett

This simple five-ingredient breakfast smoothie can have you nourished and on your way in no time. All you need is fresh or frozen strawberries, low-fat yogurt, orange juice, honey, and flaxseed meal. To make this healthy smoothie vegan, opt for plant-based yogurt and agave instead of honey.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles