Learn how to macerate strawberries with sugar and vanilla. Serve the strawberries with whipped cream.
A dessert made in heaven: simple macerated strawberries and whipped cream! I think I would have a hard time finding anybody who would say no to that!
Check out more simple ways of enjoying these wonderful berries: Strawberry Mascarpone Dessert, Romanian Strawberry Foam, or Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote.
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What is maceration?
In food, maceration means softening something with a liquid. For strawberries, this usually means sprinkling them with sugar to bring out their juices, taste, and texture, especially if they are underripe.
The easiest way to macerate strawberries is to add sugar and let them sit for at least half an hour. The sugar will help them release their juices, making a syrup that makes them taste better and feel softer.
You can also macerate strawberries by soaking them in alcohol, sweet liqueurs, juice, or good balsamic vinegar.
Recipe ingredients
You will only need fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and a little vanilla extract (or vanilla sugar).
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to macerate strawberries?
- Step #1: Wash and hull the berries. Halve or quarter them, depending on their size, and place them in a bowl.
- Step #2: Sprinkle them with sugar, add vanilla extract or vanilla sugar to taste, toss well, and let stand for at least 30 minutes until the juice is formed. Stir again.
Strawberries and Cream
I found this macerated strawberries recipe on Rosa's blog, For the Love of Italian Cooking (the link opens in a new tab). If you've followed my blog, you might know I talked about Rosa, a wonderful woman and mother of three boys who tragically died in March due to domestic violence.
Rosa and I met through our blogs, and we became good friends online and over the phone. We planned to meet since we both lived in Germany, but unfortunately, it never happened. I miss Rosa dearly.
Check out Rosa's Italian Meat Sauce or her Gnudi.
How to serve?
You can have them as they are, just plain, and eaten with a spoon to ensure you get all those juices as well.
Otherwise, serve them with whipped cream or—as my son likes them—with pourable heavy cream that hasn't been whipped.
You can serve them over Greek yogurt, strained yogurt (my favorite version), quark, or ice cream.
Serve on top of pancakes, creme fraiche crepes, German waffles, or with a slice of the 2-ingredient cake (or any cake).
Macerated Strawberries
Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries 500 g
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar to taste
- some vanilla extract or vanilla sugar optional
- 1 cup heavy cream 250 ml, to serve, optional
Instructions
- Prepare strawberries: Wash and hull the strawberries. Halve or quarter them, depending on their size, and place them in a bowl.1 lb strawberries/ 500 g
- Sprinkle with sugar, add vanilla extract or vanilla sugar to taste, toss well, and let stand for at least 30 minutes until the juice is formed. Stir again.2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar + some vanilla extract or vanilla sugar
- Whip the heavy cream and serve over the macerated strawberries.1 cup heavy cream/ 250 ml
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This technique certainly does bring out the best in strawberries. I have not tried it with a bit of vanilla. That would add amazing flavor!