Strawberry Fool

Strawberry Fool is a strawberries and cream dessert made with only fresh strawberries, sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.

If you are looking for a summer dessert that is cool, creamy, and easy to make this Strawberry Fool is the perfect choice. Juicy macerated strawberries are folded into freshly whipped cream which makes a lusciously creamy, fresh fruit dessert that takes only minutes to make.

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Even better yet it is easier to make than ice cream and has much less sugar. You'll love how easy it is to make a creamy fool and that it captures the freshness of summer fruit at its peak.

Jump to:

• What Is a Fool?
• Why We Love Strawberry Fool
• About This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make Strawberry Fool
• My Top Tips
• Substitutions & Variations
• Equipment
• Make-Ahead & Storage
• More Creamy Fruit Dessert Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What Is a Fool?

A fool is a fruit dessert that originated in England. Traditionally it is fresh or stewed fruit folded into a flavored cooked custard. The modern fool omits the custard and instead is more easily made with whipped cream that may be flavored and/or sweetened.

There are lots of variations as to how the fruit is handled. Some versions create a cooked compote or conserve with some or all of the fruit and other versions use only sweetened fresh fruit.

About This Recipe

Many years ago my family had taken my grandmother out for lunch at one of her favorite restaurants. Over time we had eaten there many times and we knew the menu pretty well.

When dessert time came my grandmother ordered "strawberry cream" which was not on the menu. The waitress looked puzzled, we looked puzzled, and I asked Grandma if she meant strawberry ice cream. She was adamant. She wanted strawberry cream and at the time none of us had any idea what she meant.

Years later I realized that this dish, Strawberry Fool, is what she meant. It is purely strawberries sweetened with sugar and folded into a vanilla-flavored heavy cream that has been whipped until stiff. Surprisingly, it is creamy like ice cream but lighter and not nearly as sweet.

The beauty of this dessert is it makes up quickly and you can increase the sugar in the recipe if you like a sweeter dessert.

But like a perfect summer day, it does not last and it is meant to be made and eaten on the same day within hours of making it... and trust me, there will be no leftovers.

So, let's cook!

Ingredients

Here's what you need to make Strawberry Fool:

• Fresh Strawberries - Use the freshest, ripest strawberries for this dessert.
• Sugar - White granulated sugar works quickly to macerate and sweeten the strawberries.
• Heavy Cream - Only heavy cream will whip into stiff peaks. Sometimes heavy cream is marketed as "whipping cream".
• Vanilla Extract - I like just a bit of vanilla in the whipped cream but this is not essential and totally optional.

Optional Garnishes:

• Sprigs of Fresh Mint Leaves - Fresh mint makes a beautiful garnish.
• Halved Small Strawberries - A halved strawberry or small whole strawberry signals that this fool is strawberry flavored!

Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make Strawberry Fool

Wash and hull the strawberries, then slice them into a medium bowl. Add sugar to the strawberries and stir well. Let the berries sit for at least 20 minutes or until well-macerated and juicy.

Put one-half of the berries into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the blended berries over the remaining berries and stir.

In a large-sized bowl beat the heavy cream with the vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

Gently fold the strawberries into the whipped cream.

Spoon into serving dishes and serve immediately... or chill for up to 2 hours.

I generally save a few small strawberries that I cut in half for a pretty garnish with a small sprig of fresh mint leaves.

My Top Tips

♡ Heavy cream can splatter when being whipped so a deep bowl works best.

♡ If you refrigerate the bowl, beaters, and heavy cream, the cream will whip up faster and fluffier.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use Other Berries. You can also use raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and stone fruits like peaches and nectarines.
• Omit the Vanilla Extract. Vanilla extract is not required but I think it makes the whipped cream tastier and is an excellent backdrop for the fruit,
• Add Lemon. If you accidentally make the fruit too sweet with sugar, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to temper the sweetness.

Equipment

I used a small food processor to blend the berries into a purée. But if you do not have a food processor or blender, you can mash the strawberries with a fork or potato masher and still have a super delicious dessert.

Make-Ahead & Storage

This Strawberry Fool must be served and eaten within a couple of hours of making it. However, you can prepare the strawberries and whip the cream ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to two hours. When ready to serve, simply fold the berry mixture into the whipped cream and spoon it into dessert glasses.

More Creamy Fruit Dessert Recipes

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