What can be more delectable than a sweet, homemade strawberry dessert?

Juicy, fresh strawberries dipped in luscious chocolate and cream are a definite après dinner treat (after all, they're the strawberry's superstar entourage!), but keep in mind that strawberry desserts aren't always limited to shortcake and cheesecake.

Before taking your pick from our collection of 12 sweet strawberry desserts, check out these tips for storing and preserving strawberries from our Test Kitchen food specialist Soo Kim.

How to store fresh strawberries
Strawberries are best kept whole, Soo shares. To keep your berries at their freshest, she recommends following these tips from Foodland Ontario.

"Fresh strawberries should be refrigerated with the hull intact, unwashed, and lightly covered in a single layer," she says. Just before serving, gently rinse fresh strawberries under cold water. "Gently pat them with a paper towel or clean cloth," she adds. "Then hull."

How to preserve strawberries
"Strawberries may be frozen whole or sliced, for up to 12 months," Soo says.

To make your berry bounty last until next season, she advises removing any damaged berries from the pile before freezing. To use, thaw strawberries at room temperature. 

How to freeze strawberries
Whether defrosted or still frozen, strawberries pulled from the freezer are a hit with kids! To make the best frozen strawberries, Soo suggests the following.

"To freeze strawberries without sugar," she says, "wash, dry and hull the berries. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then pack in freezer bags, removing air." Make sure to label your frozen berries with the date you packed them, as well as volume.

"To freeze strawberries with sugar, wash, dry and hull the berries. Combine 4 cups whole berries with 1/2 cup granulated sugar; or 4 cups sliced berries with 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Pack these in containers, leaving 1/2-inch (1 cm) headspace, or in freezer bags, removing air. Again, label with date and volume."

As summer signals the strawberry's harvest, look for fresh Canadian strawberries in delicious abundance at your local farmer's market and fruit stand.

Then try one of these sweet strawberry desserts:

Streusel-Topped Strawberry Galette (pictured above)
A crunchy almond streusel takes this show-stopping free-form pie to a higher level. Make it with locally grown strawberries, since the flavour and texture of the filling depends on the quality of the berries.

Strawberry Cheesecake Turnovers
Crisp on the outside and gooey in the middle, these flaky turnovers are a cinch to make.


Strawberry Buttermilk Panna Cotta
Buttermilk makes this cool no-bake custard wonderfully tangy and creamy. The flavour of the berries is key, so use local in-season fruit.

Strawberries in Chocolate Pavlova
Strawberry Mousse Meringue Torte

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake
This stunning swirled cheesecake makes delicious use of strawberry season's finest.


Strawberry White Chocolate Tart with Mascarpone
Juicy berries, a crispy shell and a creamy filling make a great combination of textures in this irresistible dessert. You can also use 8 oz (250 g) softened cream cheese instead of the mascarpone, if desired.

Strawberry Ice-Cream Shortcake

Frozen Strawberry Rhubarb Mousse
The velvety texture of this frozen dessert is like ice cream and mousse all wrapped in one. To scoop instead of slice it, pack into an airtight container and freeze for 4 hours.

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote with Ice Cream

Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Cream Streusel Coffee Cake

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Trifle

Looking for more strawberry desserts? Try our sweet and simple strawberry recipes.