Weekends don’t always have to be about grand plans and social outings. If you find yourself without plans, embrace the quiet and indulge in a little home baking to make your weekend feel extra special. Nothing beats the joy of creating delicious desserts, and strawberries add the perfect blend of sweetness and tartness to any recipe.
Instead of scrolling through social media and feeling FOMO, use this time to do something fulfilling. Baking can be incredibly therapeutic, allowing you to recharge and start the new week with a fresh mind. Whether you are baking alone or with loved ones, the process of whisking, folding, and icing creates a joyful experience.
To help you make the most of your time, Pastry Chef Rajesh Paramashivan from Péché Mignon, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, shares five irresistible strawberry dessert recipes to try at home.
1. Strawberry Biscoff Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh cream
- 1/2 cup (62g) icing sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp (5g) corn flour
- 2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1/2 cup (50g) Biscoff spread
- 1/2 cup (50g) fresh chopped strawberries
Method:
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add fresh cream, icing sugar, and corn flour, mixing thoroughly.
- Slowly incorporate eggs and vanilla essence, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Fold in Biscoff spread and chopped strawberries.
- Bake at 150˚C for 40 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and Biscoff biscuits before serving.
2. Strawberry Velvet Torte
Vanilla Sponge Ingredients:
- 1 whole egg
- 1/4 cup (25g) castor sugar
- 1/4 cup (25g) refined flour
- 1/2 tsp (1g) vanilla extract
Strawberry Mascarpone Cream Ingredients:
- 1 cup (125g) mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh cream
- 2 tbsp (16g) icing sugar
- 3 tbsp (20g) condensed milk
- 3 tbsp (22g) melted white chocolate
- 2 tsp (3g) vanilla essence
- 1/2 cup (50g) fresh strawberry purée
- 1/2 cup (50g) fresh strawberries, chopped
Method:
- Whip the egg and castor sugar until pale and thick.
- Fold in sifted refined flour to maintain lightness.
- Bake at 180°C for 25–30 minutes and allow it to cool.
- For the mascarpone cream, mix mascarpone cheese, fresh cream, icing sugar, condensed milk, and melted white chocolate.
- Add fresh strawberry purée and chopped strawberries.
- Assemble the torte by layering the sponge with strawberry mascarpone cream and garnishing with fresh strawberries and Biscoff biscuits.
3. Strawberry Almond Tart
Ingredients:
- Almond powder, refined flour, fresh strawberries, butter, icing sugar, cream, and vanilla extract.
Method:
- Prepare the tart base with a sweet paste dough, refrigerate, and bake.
- Make almond cream and spread over the baked base.
- Prepare a strawberry mousse by combining fresh cream, white chocolate, and strawberry purée.
- Pipe the mousse onto the tart and garnish with strawberries.
4. Strawberry Macarons
Ingredients:
- Almond flour, egg whites, icing sugar, fresh cream, white chocolate, strawberry purée.
Method:
- Prepare macaron shells by folding almond flour and icing sugar into whipped egg whites.
- Pipe and bake at 150°C for 20 minutes.
- Make a strawberry cream filling by combining cream, white chocolate, and strawberry purée.
- Pipe the filling onto one shell and sandwich with another.
5. Strawberry Éclair
Ingredients:
- Milk, butter, sugar, salt, flour, eggs, fresh strawberries, and cream.
Method:
- Prepare the éclair dough, pipe, and bake at 200°C for 10 minutes, then at 160°C for 45 minutes.
- Make a strawberry mousse filling and pipe into cooled éclairs.
- Garnish with a chocolate stick and fresh strawberries.
Enjoy these homemade delights and make your weekend a ‘berry sweet’ experience!