12 Essential Strawberry Desserts to Make All Summer Long

updated May 12, 2021

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We’re stepping into strawberry season, and I’ve got big plans. I’ll start by eating plenty of berries straight from the basket, staining my fingertips along the way. But what I look forward to more than anything else is transforming those sweet, ruby-red gems into summery desserts.

Because while juicy, ripe strawberries are great on their own, they are even better when baked into pies and crisps, partnered with tart rhubarb, and blitzed into ice cream. There are an endless number of ways to turn strawberries into dessert, but when you want a guaranteed hit, these are the must-make strawberry desserts that never disappoint.

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Easy Strawberry Shortcake

I'm hard-pressed to find a more quintessential summer dessert than a classic strawberry shortcake.

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No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake

No matter the occasion, there is always a place on the table for this classic no-bake treat. Best of all, you only need strawberries, whipped cream, and graham crackers to pull it off.

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Red Wine Strawberries

Dessert doesn't get much simpler than this, you guys. Ripe berries don't need much help, but soak them in some red wine and add a dollop of whipped cream, and they're better than you can even imagine.

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Upside-Down Strawberry Skillet Cake

Of all the essential summertime desserts, I’d argue that a glossy-topped strawberry skillet cake deserves a spot at the top of your list. Just look at that layer of sweet berries!

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Easy Roasted Strawberry-Rhubarb Shortcakes with Cardamom Whipped Cream

Even when rhubarb disappears from the market, you'll still find me making this classic summer dessert. I make up for the lack of tangy rhubarb by doubling down on the strawberries.

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Strawberry Blondies

If bar cookies are your jam, this is the only dessert you need to know. Sweet berries partner with white chocolate chunks to give blondies a summery twist.

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Strawberry Cake

A strawberry cake is no doubt the most lovely dessert you can possibly pull off with a basket of fresh strawberries. If you have a birthday or special occasion coming up this summer, this is the dessert to make.

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp

Because pulling off a crisp version of this classic combo is way easier than a pie. Baked strawberries and rhubarb strike the perfect balance of tart and sweet, and when you add a crispy, buttery oat topping and vanilla ice cream, you've got an unstoppable dessert.

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3-Ingredient Strawberry Nice Cream

Jut three ingredients (fresh strawberries, banana, and non-dairy milk) stand between you and this refreshing sweet treat. You'll want to have a spoon handy for this one when you blitz it together in the food processor, because you won't be able to resist dipping it in for a taste.

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Vegan Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream

Summer is simply not complete without at least one batch of strawberry ice cream, and this is the version I keep coming back to year after year. The recipe calls for vanilla bean, although a couple teaspoons of vanilla extract will work just fine.

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Easy Cast Iron Strawberry Pie

This easy cast iron strawberry pie is the simplest version of this classic summer dessert.

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Strawberry Trifle

Built from leftover cake, layered with pudding, and served with a queenly crown of whipped cream, trifle is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and incredibly easy to pull off.

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