Our Most Spectacular Strawberry Recipes

You are looking at one of the world’s great finger foods. The elements are thick creme fraiche, confectioners' sugar, and the most fragrant, perfectly ripe strawberries you can find. Dip, sprinkle, and eat to your heart's content. Want something equally simple? Try bathing them in a syrup made with vanilla extract, lemon zest, and black peppercorns in our Strawberries with Vanilla Syrup recipe.

A whopping three pounds of strawberries are called for in this showstopping cake -- they're sandwiched between the layers, cooked down and added to the frosting, and used to crown the top.

A low oven temperature and a touch of honey transform overripe strawberries into a delectable syrupy topping for everything from ice cream and yogurt to biscuits and pancakes.

Pastry cream lightened up with yogurt and whipped cream is paired with store-bought puff pastry and strawberries macerated with sugar and lemon juice in this company-worthy dessert.

To make this sophisticated dessert, basil leaves are simmered in heavy cream to add a subtle perfume to the whipped cream filling. Bake one large shortcake (or eight smaller ones, if you prefer) and top with sweetened strawberries, small basil leaves, and the basil whipped cream.

Strawberries, baby spinach, and feta in a white-balsamic vinaigrette create perfect harmony in this simple salad. Toasted almonds and sesame seeds add a rich crunch.

Your guests will clamor for this sorbet made from just four ingredients: fresh, ripe strawberries, sugar, orange zest, and the bitter-orange-rhubarb-flavored aperitif known as Aperol.

Whole-wheat flour adds an earthiness to the crunchy oat-and-coconut topping for this dessert. Scatter it over lightly sugared strawberries and cherries, then bake.

Transform the classic summer dessert into a knockout sundae by layering vanilla ice cream swirled with homemade strawberry sauce, fresh strawberries macerated with sugar and lemon juice, store-bought pound cake, and freshly whipped cream.

To make this fruity twist on the classic daiquiri, simply blend together fresh lime juice, strawberries, white rum, a touch of sugar, and ice cubes.

Similar in texture to an angel food cake but richer, thanks to the addition of egg yolks, this cake is airy and delicate. The filling is simply whipped cream and macerated strawberries.

A border of rich, toasty pistachios rings a puff pastry crust supporting a bright display of fresh strawberries in this surprisingly easy spring dessert.

Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and heaped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, this classic meringue dessert is a lively study in textures.

In this crisp, the apricots hold their shape. The strawberries, in contrast, bake down into a thick, delicious sauce.

Strawberries mellow out the sharp edges of rhubarb in this springtime classic.

You can make this out-of-the-ordinary dessert with frozen waffles to save time, but be sure to whip up your own creamy pudding. The rich flavor and silky texture are worth the extra effort. Seeking a more traditional waffle setup? Look no further than our Whole-Grain Waffles with Sliced Strawberries and Yogurt.

The meringue topping is just right for the tangy, cool lemon filling (and provides a way to use the whites from the separated eggs). You can easily skip it in favor of whipped cream. Not a big lemon fan? Try our classic Strawberry Icebox Pie.

Teaming strawberries with a buttery biscuit topping is always a good idea. Serve warm or at room temperature with a drizzle of cream or a scoop of ice cream.