Strawberry Dessert Recipes

Strawberry dessert recipes can create many things: shortcake, ice cream, pie, and tarts for starters. Strawberries are a favorite fruit for many people because they are both attractive and sweet, but many people don't realize how healthy strawberries truly are. A serving of strawberries (approximately eight berries or a cup of sliced berries) contains only 50 calories and no fat, cholesterol, or sodium. Strawberry dessert recipes can also provide more vitamin C than an orange.

Wild strawberries grow throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, but they are often tiny and relatively tasteless. The common strawberry found in supermarkets and produce shops is known as fragaria x ananassa, and the United States produces nearly 20 percent of the world's supply, most of which are grown in California.

Picking Fruit for Your Strawberry Dessert Recipes

Depending on the desired qualities of your strawberry dessert recipe, you should choose the berries carefully. The best berries are bright and firm, with no green or white spots (contrary to popular belief, strawberries will not continue to ripen after they are picked). Strawberries should be washed just before use, and any bruised or damaged berries should be discarded immediately to prevent the rot from spreading to other berries. Overripe strawberries will be dull and dark, with limp stems. Smaller berries are typically sweeter, though the very smallest specimens may be bitter.

To preserve the fruit for your strawberries dessert recipes for just a few days, store them loosely covered in the refrigerator. For longer storage, strawberries can be frozen, but be aware that they will generally soften after freezing, though the flavor will not be affected. The appearance of a strawberry dessert recipe will change if frozen berries are used, however, so take that into consideration if presentation is crucial. Individual frozen berries make tasteful ice cubes for fruit drinks or punch, and frozen berries can easily be pureed for delicious sauces.

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