Our Favorite Strawberry Recipes

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.

We created a cookie that emulates the defining flavors of New York-style cheesecake: warm and buttery graham cracker crust, rich and smooth cream cheese filling, and tangy and fresh strawberry sauce. No special pan, no long wait to indulge, and no sharing required!

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.

This wedding cake was born out of friendship and thoughtful collaboration between the bride and her family and editor-in-chief Brian Hart Hoffman and the Bake from Scratch team—built on shared moments, trust, and a genuine love for creating something beautiful together. 

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.

Topped with a crunchy streusel, these muffins aren’t just a great on-the-go breakfast; they’re an indulgent snack, a fruity dessert, or a simply elegant brunch bread. A combination of melted butter and oil create a moist crumb, creamy ricotta cheese adds richness, and sweet strawberries provide a burst of fresh flavor to every bite.

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.

These make a great breakfast, afternoon snack, or casual dessert. The strawberry jam may also be exchanged for any other flavor you might fancy. This recipe uses our Quick Strawberry Jam recipe.