This Easy Strawberry Fool dessert recipe is made with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and vanilla. It’s basically an elevated version of strawberries and cream. Simple, elegant and easy to make for your next get together!
Strawberry season in Florida is November through the early part of April. However, in all other parts of the U.S., their growing season is more spring and summer. My local grocery store had strawberries a few weeks back on sale for $.99 for further proof they’re at their peak season right now! Grab some for snacking, for freezing, or for this Easy Strawberry Fool recipe, Strawberry Spinach Salad, or Chocolate Covered Strawberries! Either way, they’re bound to be delicious however you choose to enjoy them.
The name ‘fool’ dessert originates from Great Britain, where fruit is cooked, pureed and lightened with whipped cream (more modern day version) or a cooked custard. In French the term ‘fouler’ means to mash or crush, which is exactly what we’re doing with the fruit before it’s folded into the fool mixture. Others think the name implies it isn’t to be taken too seriously like its culinary cousin the trifle, hence a ‘fool’. Again, traditionally, a fool dessert is made with custard and stewed strawberries. However, my version is a riff on the traditional so you can whip up an easy, yet elegant dessert.
Ingredients: Easy Strawberry Fool
- Strawberries: Choose any fruit you love and that pairs well with cream. Examples include raspberries, blueberries, nectarines.
- Whipped Cream: Use heavy whipping cream, this dessert will give some saturated fat, however, this is the star of the show for flavor!
- Vanilla Bean Paste Optional, but this has some of the vanilla bean seeds and nice to see in the whipped cream. Vanilla extract can be used, simply use double the amount.
- Sugar: Since my strawberries were SUPER sweet I added only a small amount of sugar. Remember, a little sugar is needed to ‘macerate’ the berries, so only add more if your fruit isn’t as naturally as sweet.
- Optional Add-ins: Fruit liquor such as Grand Marnier or Chambord.
Making the Whipped Cream
- Place heavy whipping cream and vanilla bean paste in a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Beat until light and fluffy. Do NOT overbeat the cream as it can turn to butter.
- Set aside and place in the refrigerator to stay chilled. Aim to prepare this as close to when you’ll serve.
Macerating the Berries
- Cut your strawberries into slices. Place half of the strawberries in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with sugar and add vanilla extract.
- Mash the strawberries leaving some larger chunks. Next, add the other half of the strawberries. Let stand for a few minutes.
- Add 1/3 of the strawberry mixture to the whipped cream. Fold the strawberries into the whipped cream. *Optional, but highly recommend to make the dessert more elegant*
- Reserve the remaining strawberries to assemble the desserts in layers.
Assembling a Strawberry Fool
- Spoon some of the remaining strawberries into your serving glasses and/or dishes.
- Top some of the whipped cream mixture next in your serving glass. Your whipped cream will be used twice. Estimate accordingly so you’ll have enough for all the desserts.
- Add another layer of the macerated strawberries and then another spoonful of the cream.
- Top with any extra strawberries for a garnish.
- Serve immediately.
FAQs
Any fruit that pairs well with cream and that’s a fruit you like. Berries are my favorite. A mix of berries would also be delicious. Peaches and/or nectarines would also work. Mango would be too sweet and pineapple doesn’t pair well with cream in my opinion. Use fruit that’s in-season and is a fruit you enjoy!
The short answer is no. However, having those flecks of vanilla beans is why I used the paste. Think elegance, yet affordable. Whole vanilla beans can cost up to $3/bean. The vanilla bean paste is concentrated and already scraped so you have vanilla beans. While vanilla bean paste is optional, it’s nice to have on hand in the kitchen for baking.
This is one of those desserts that needs to be made as close to eating as possible. Ideally, prepare no more than 4 hours ahead of time. Unfortunately whipped cream can easily deflate and separate.
You can! Simply make sure the fruit is fully defrosted and prepare in the same way you would the fresh fruit. Here in Florida we’re lucky to have strawberries during the winter, however, I know fresh fruit is hard to find in other places in the winter.
Other Simple Desserts
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Maple and Cinnamon Poached Pears
- Chocolate Quinoa Crunch
- Olive Oil Cake
Easy Strawberry Fool
This Easy Strawberry Fool dessert recipe is made with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and vanilla. It’s basically an elevated version of strawberries and cream. Simple, elegant and easy to make for your next get together!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
FOR THE STRAWBERRIES
- 3 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM
- Chill the mixing bowl. About 15-30 minutes prior to making the whipped cream, place your mixing bowl and wire whisk attachment into the refrigerator to chill (or the freezer since it’s so hot here in Miami!) Whipped cream tends to whip better when everything is cold!
- Add the whipped cream and vanilla bean paste into the chilled mixing bowl and then beat the mixture. Aim to minimize the amount of time it takes to make the recipe, so it stays cold the whole time!
- Mix on a low speed to incorporate the vanilla bean paste with the whipping cream. Then gradually increase the speed to high as the mixture starts to form soft peaks – this takes just between 60 seconds to 90 seconds. Pause halfway, scrape down the sides, and continue whipping.
- Beat until stiff peaks form. You’ll want to be careful not to mix/beat too long or else you’ll have butter. Do not walk away!
FOR THE STRAWBERRIES:
- Cut your strawberries into slices. Place 1/2 of the strawberries into a medium bowl. Sprinkle with sugar and add vanilla extract.
- Mash the strawberries (that have the sugar), leaving some larger chunks. Then add the other 1/2 of the strawberries. Let stand for a few minutes.
ASSEMBLING THE STRAWBERRY FOOL:
- Add around 1/3 of the strawberry mixture to the whipped cream. Fold the strawberries into the whipped cream, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream. *Optional, but recommend to make the dessert more elegant*
- Hold on to the remaining strawberries as you’ll use these to assemble the desserts in layers.
- Spoon some of the remaining strawberries into your serving glasses and/or dishes.
- Top some of the whipped cream mixture next in your serving glass (the whipped cream will be used twice, so estimate how much you’re using here to have enough for all the desserts you’re preparing).
- Add another layer of the macerated strawberries, and then another spoonful of the cream.
- Top with any extra strawberries for a garnish with a sprig of mint (or firecrackers for an extra ‘pop’ of celebration!)
- Serve immediately, or place in the fridge to stay chilled until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: desserts
1 thought on “Easy Strawberry Fool”
How fun and festive! Love a simple, yet elegant dessert!