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9 quick and easy recipes for berry-based desserts

by Malou Herkes

published on 23 June 2020

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

Strawberry and Rose Mess

by Yotam Ottolenghi, Ramael Scully

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.

From the book

Yotam Ottolenghi, Ramael Scully

Coconut, Raspberry and Chocolate Cake

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

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

Strawberry and Pimm’s Jam

by Kylee Newton

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’s Sumac-roasted Strawberries with Yoghurt Cream

from Simple

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

Vegan Layered Pavlova with Coconut Cream

by Rachel Ama

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)

Hot Strawberries with Ice Cream and Amaretti (Fragole Saltate in Padella)

by Michaela, Emanuela and Romina Chiappa

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

Strawberry Short Cake

by Mary Gwynn

Wedge your strawberries and cream into still-warm buttery, crumbly short cakes for quintessential afternoon tea vibes.

Fresh Strawberry Tartlets

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.

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