Strawberry Bliss

A beautiful sign of spring in the southern US and summer in the northern US, strawberries are a promise of the warmer temperatures and longer days of sunshine to come. Embrace their ruby hue, flowery aroma, and juicy sweetness in this bountiful batch of cakes, bars, and pies. 

STRAWBERRY SMARTS

Although strawberries can be found at grocery stores year-round, like any other produce, they’re at their best when in season. Strawberries grown in the South are at their peak in March, April, and May. In the North, look for berries in June and July. In the West, harvest season runs from April to July.

A ripe strawberry will have a sweet, floral fragrance and be completely red—the darker the hue, the sweeter the flesh. Strawberries ripen from tip to stem, so whiteness around the stems can indicate the berries were not given the proper time to ripen on the plant. Strawberries do not ripen after being picked, so make sure they’re already at your desired level of ripeness when choosing them.

One of the best indicators of freshness is the cap of the strawberry. If the leaves are bright green, the strawberries are likely fresher.

Buy locally grown when possible. Strawberries that are shipped long distances are often picked underripe to hold up during transportation, which means these berries can be bland or tart.

Small berries tend to be juicier and more flavorful than larger ones. Bigger berries often contain more water, which dilutes the taste. Though larger berries might seem like a better value and less work, smaller berries are worth the effort.

Store strawberries in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator in their clamshell container or in a partially sealed plastic bag. They’ll stay fresh for about 5 days.

Don’t wash strawberries or remove their caps until you’re ready to eat or use them.

The slightly caramelized flavor of the brown sugar and the vanilla richness of the white chocolate in the batter gives these bars a toasty depth of flavor while the strawberries bring big bursts of freshness in every bite.

Watch the step-by-step tutorial of how to bring these blondies together on our YouTube channel. 

Remember the Shoney’s restaurant chain? We do, too—and if they’re still in your area, lucky you! Our editor-in-chief fondly recalls enjoying many slices of their signature pie when he was a child. This recipe brings back those familiar flavors to him but made even better. The blind-baked cream cheese piecrust stays sturdy, and its slight tang is a great contrast to the sweet jammy filling.

Studded with fresh berries and covered with a creamy berry-infused topping, the soft, spongy layers of this cake are filled with smooth custard and brushed with an almond syrup that keeps every bite moist and fluffy.

This luscious cake is a stunning celebration of flavor and elegance, perfect for special occasions. Each layer of moist pistachio cake is infused with a delicate nuttiness, beautifully complemented by fresh strawberries and a light, creamy frosting. The combination of vibrant colors and contrasting textures makes this cake as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Hailing from Australia, lamingtons are a layered sponge cake dipped in sauce (usually chocolate) and covered with desiccated coconut. Our version is a springtime twist on the popular dessert. With lime-infused cake layers and a sweet strawberry glaze, these lamingtons are an elegant indulgence you won’t want to miss.

If you’re not from the Southern or Midwestern US, you might not have ever heard of strawberry-pretzel salad, which is the inspiration for these bars. While “salad” is part of the name, fear not—no vegetables or savory dressings are involved. Traditional strawberry-pretzel salad is comprised of a pretzel (and sometimes nut) crust, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a strawberry gelatin topping. Our version features a slightly caramelly sweet-salty crust, a fluffy citrus-infused filling, and fresh berry topping.