Summer is finally here and with it a bounty of seasonal berries are making their way to our shop shelves or ripening on hedgerows and garden plots. Now’s the time for strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, and for both hot summer pudding or refreshing strawberries and cream. If you’re looking for some more ways to celebrate this year’s berries or for more exciting alternatives to summer staples, here are nine desserts to inspire you.
Strawberry and Rose Mess
A NOPI-style Eton Mess, this combination of strawberry sorbet, crushed meringue, mascarpone and pomegranate seeds is really quite something. Assemble it all last minute in cute glasses for an impressive dessert.
Coconut, Raspberry and Chocolate Cake
Quick, easy and oh-so-summery, this tasty traybake is a showstopper that needs just 25-30 minutes in the oven.
Jamie Oliver’s Berry Meringue Ripple
A five-minute dessert using shop-bought meringues, vanilla ice cream, plenty of fresh berries and shavings of chocolate, this is a simple but impressive way to round off a summer meal. Swap in whatever berries you have to hand.
Strawberry and Pimm’s Jam
Capture the taste of warm afternoons and summer picnics into a pot of the good stuff. This jam is not just for spreading on toast – pour it over vanilla ice cream for an instant dessert.
Ottolenghi’s Sumac-roasted Strawberries with Yoghurt Cream
Ottolenghi roasts his strawberries with citrussy sumac, vanilla and mint until soft, sticky and aromatic. Serve up with a zingy yoghurt cream and all those lovely juices drizzled on top.
Vegan Layered Pavlova with Coconut Cream
For a vegan take on a summer show-stopper, this meringue uses aquafaba instead of egg whites. Rachel Ama tops her crisp, light meringue with whipped coconut cream, plenty of fresh berries and a delicious berry drizzle.
Hot Strawberries with Ice Cream and Amaretti (Fragole Saltate in Padella)
These ‘hot strawberries’ are quickly heated in a pan with butter and flambéed with a splash of brandy – the contrast of hot and cold is what you want here, served with ice cream and amaretti for added crunch too.
Strawberry Short Cake
Wedge your strawberries and cream into still-warm buttery, crumbly short cakes for quintessential afternoon tea vibes.
Fresh Strawberry Tartlets
These pretty pastries might make you think of a delicate bake worthy of a French patisserie but Mary has simplified hers with an easy whipped mascarpone filling, topped with strawberries and a redcurrant jelly.
