There's nothing like berries in the summer. From blueberries to raspberries, these juicy, sweet treats are delicious and full of nutrients. Plus, berries have various uses, whether adding them to your morning cereal, blending them into a refreshing smoothie, or simply enjoying them as a snack on their own.
However, my favorite way to enjoy berries is to bake them into delicious desserts. When you bake with berries you can transform simple recipes into something extraordinary. So, here are a few delightful berry dessert ideas to inspire your summer baking.
1. Mixed Berry Tarts
Berry tarts are not only delicious but also adorable to look at. This dessert combines the natural sweetness of berries with a luscious vanilla crust. To make this dessert, simply start by preparing the crust with flour, butter, sugar, and a hint of vanilla extract, pressing it into a tart pan, and bake until golden brown.
Meanwhile, prepare a rich pastry cream by whisking together egg yolks, sugar, flour, and milk on the stove until thickened, then allow it to cool. Once the crust has cooled, spread the pastry cream evenly over the base. Finally, top the tart with an array of fresh berries, arranging them in an appealing pattern.
Full Recipe: Summer Berry Tart - Simply Recipes
Image Credit: Ella Olsson From Unsplash
2. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite desserts and it is perfect for summer! When you take a bite of it, you can't help, but be reminded of warm summer days and the 4th of July. This dessert has delicious biscuits, whipped cream, and cut strawberries.
The fresh strawberries, deliciously airy biscuits, and whipped cream topping make this dessert light and flavorful. What is also great about strawberry shortcake is that it is so easy to make! Once you have baked the biscuits, you can quickly put together the shortcakes, making this a great option for summer gatherings!
To make strawberry shortcake, start by preparing the biscuits. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cold butter, cutting the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles crumbs. Then add milk and mix before dropping spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet and baking until golden brown.
While the biscuits are baking, prepare the strawberries by slicing them and tossing them with a bit of sugar. Once the biscuits are baked and slightly cooled, split them in half. Layer the bottom half of each biscuit with a generous spoonful of strawberries, and a dollop of whipped cream.
Next, top with the other half of the biscuit. You can also add extra spoonfuls of strawberries and whipped cream on top for an even sweeter summer dessert.
Full Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake - Sally's Baking Addiction
Image Credit: Cove Johnson Rabidoux
3. Chocolate Berry Bars
Chocolate berry bars are essentially a yummy fusion of chocolate and berries, creating a dessert that is both decadent and rich. These bars begin with a foundation made from a mixture of flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and butter, which is pressed into the bottom of a baking dish and baked until firm.
The next layer consists of fresh berries—such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries—sometimes mixed with a bit of sugar and cornstarch to thicken their natural juices as they bake. Finally, a crumbly topping made from oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter is sprinkled over the berries, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. If you want, you can even add chia seeds and almonds to the bars! Once baked to perfection, the chocolate berry bars are cooled and cut into squares.
These bars make a perfect treat for any occasion, from casual snacking with friends to more elegant dessert tables. Plus, after the bars are baked they are pretty portable, so they can be brought on all of your summer adventures, such as having a picnic with friends or relaxing at the beach. The combination of the rich chocolate, sweet berries, and buttery crust makes these bars a wonderful treat for every occasion.
Full Recipe: Chocolate Berry Bars - iFoodReal
Image Credit: Ella Olsson from Unsplash
4. Berry Yogurt Bark
No summer dessert is fresher and healthier than berry yogurt bark. Berry yogurt bark is a delicious summer dessert that even beginning bakers can make since there is no baking involved! This dessert has a base of creamy vanilla yogurt spread thinly on a baking sheet and topped with an array of fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. To add extra flavor and texture, you can also sprinkle nuts, seeds, or granola over the top.
Once assembled, the yogurt bark is placed in the freezer until it is firm. After freezing, it is broken into pieces, creating a refreshing and nutritious treat perfect for hot summer days. Overall, berry yogurt bark is not only easy to make but highly customizable.
You can choose the flavor of the yogurt you use, the variety of berries and the additional toppings you add. Ultimately, this flexibility makes berry yogurt bark an easy and delightful summer treat for everyone to enjoy.
Full Recipe: Berry Yogurt Bark - Feel Good Foodie
Image Credit: Cove Johnson Rabidoux
5. Blueberry Muffins
Last but not least are blueberry muffins. While blueberry muffins are typically eaten for breakfast, they really can be eaten any time of the day. These delicious muffins contain juicy blueberries nestled in a light and fluffy batter. Whether served warm from the oven, as a mid-morning snack, or as a sweet treat in the afternoon, blueberry muffins are both versatile and satisfying.
To make blueberry muffins, whisk together flour, sugar, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter (or oil), milk, vanilla extract, and egg. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
Next, gently fold the blueberries into the batter and then spoon the batter into prepared muffin cups. You should only fill each muffin tin about two-thirds. Then bake the muffins for about 18-20 minutes.
Blueberry muffins are a great summer dessert because they can baked in the morning and carried with you wherever you go. They're perfect for breakfast, brunch, or just as a delicious snack in the middle of the day.
Full Recipe: Blueberry Muffins - Allrecipes
Image Credit: Aneta Voborilova from Unsplash
Summer is the best time of year to bake because of all the wonderful produce and fruit. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all in season during the summer, meaning they are just waiting to be used in a delicious summer dessert. So the next time you find yourself bored on a summer day, why not make one of the fantastic berry desserts listed above?
Want to know exactly what summer berry dessert you should bake next---take the quiz!
