Strawberry Cream Dessert Recipe – Easy Layered Indian Summer Treat

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Strawberry Cream Dessert Recipe – Easy Layered Indian Summer Treat

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, the summer heat just begs for something light, refreshing, and utterly delicious. And honestly, nothing hits the spot quite like this Strawberry Cream Dessert. It’s a classic for a reason – it’s unbelievably easy to make, looks beautiful, and tastes like a little slice of heaven. I first made this for a family get-together and it was gone in minutes! Let’s get into it, shall we?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dessert is the perfect balance of sweet and creamy. It’s incredibly simple, requiring minimal cooking (basically none!). Plus, it’s a fantastic way to showcase the beautiful strawberries we get during the summer months. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and honestly, it feels a little bit fancy without any of the fuss.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this dreamy dessert:

• 250 grams fresh strawberries (about 1.5 cups, hulled and chopped)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup chilled cream
• 0.25 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk strawberries! The flavour really shines through, so quality matters.

• Strawberry Varieties: I love using a mix! Alphonso strawberries are wonderfully fragrant, Chandleri are beautifully shaped, and Dubhak have a lovely sweetness. Feel free to experiment with what’s available locally.
• Cream Choices: You can use either Amul cream (which is readily available in India and whips up beautifully) or make your own whipped cream from scratch. If you’re going the homemade route, make sure your cream is very cold for the best results.
• Powdered Sugar: It dissolves more easily than granulated sugar, giving you a smoother whipped cream. But if you only have granulated, you can pulse it in a blender until it’s finely ground.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get layering! It’s seriously easy, I promise.

1. First, rinse, hull, and chop your strawberries. Place them in a bowl and sprinkle with the sugar. Give it a gentle mix and let them sit for about 20-30 minutes. This process, called macerating, draws out all those gorgeous strawberry juices – and intensifies the flavour!
2. While the strawberries are doing their thing, grab a chilled bowl (this is important!). Pour in the chilled cream and start whipping. Add the powdered sugar gradually, whipping until you get soft peaks. Don’t overwhip, or you’ll end up with butter! Gently fold in the vanilla extract.
3. Now for the fun part: layering! Grab your serving glasses or bowls. Start with a layer of the macerated strawberries (don’t forget to spoon in those delicious juices!). Then, add a layer of the whipped cream.
4. Repeat the layers – strawberries, then cream – until your glasses are full. Finish with a beautiful layer of cream on top.
5. Garnish with a few fresh strawberry slices. You can chill it for a few hours before serving, or enjoy it immediately. Honestly, it’s good either way!

Expert Tips

• Chill Everything: Seriously, chilled bowls, chilled cream… it all makes a difference in getting that perfect whipped cream consistency.
• Don’t Overmix: Be gentle when folding in the vanilla extract. You want to keep the cream light and airy.
• Strawberry Juice is Gold: Don’t discard the juice from the macerated strawberries! It adds so much flavour and moisture to the dessert.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are a few ideas:

• Vegan Adaptation: Swap the dairy cream for chilled coconut cream. It whips up beautifully and adds a lovely tropical flavour.
• Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free!
• Spice Level: My aunt always adds a pinch of cardamom powder to the strawberries while they’re macerating. It adds a lovely warmth and fragrance.
• Festival Adaptations: This is amazing during the summer solstice or alongside mango-based desserts during mango season. It’s a perfect light ending to a rich meal.

Serving Suggestions

This dessert is lovely on its own, but you can also serve it with:

• A sprinkle of chopped nuts (pistachios or almonds work well)
• A drizzle of honey or maple syrup
• A side of shortbread cookies for dipping

Storage Instructions

Leftovers (if there are any!) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The strawberries might release a little more juice over time, but it will still be delicious.

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

• Is it best to use chilled strawberries? While not essential, chilled strawberries will help keep the dessert cool and refreshing.
• Can I make this dessert a day ahead? I wouldn’t recommend making it too far in advance, as the strawberries can make the cream a little soggy. But you can macerate the strawberries and whip the cream a day ahead and assemble it just before serving.
• What if I don’t have powdered sugar? You can pulse granulated sugar in a blender until it’s finely ground.
• Can I substitute vanilla extract with rose water? Absolutely! A teaspoon of rose water will add a beautiful floral aroma.
• How can I prevent the strawberries from becoming soggy? Don’t add the strawberries to the cream until just before serving. Macerating them for the right amount of time (20-30 minutes) is key – any longer and they’ll release too much juice.

Enjoy this delightful Strawberry Cream Dessert! I hope it brings a little bit of summer sunshine to your day. Let me know in the comments if you try it and how it turns out!