Macerated Strawberries

Strawberries are always the perfect topping for so many delicious desserts, but did you know that you can elevate ripe berries just by adding a little sugar to them? Macerating is a simple technique used to release the natural juices, enhancing their natural sweetness.

Save this recipe 💌

Enter your email below, and I'll send this recipe straight to your inbox. You'll also be joining 1,000's of bakers, just like you, to receive my delicious recipes each week!

Macerating Strawberries is the perfect way to turn fresh berries into a fabulous dessert topper. It’s one of my favourite ways to serve strawberries, using 2 simple ingredients and just 30 minutes of your time. One of my favourite ways to use Macerated Strawberries is on top of fluffy Chantilly Cream on a Pavlova -truly the best way to serve a Pav! They're also amazing inside Crepes and delicious on French Toast as well! Using these sweet berries to fill a Sponge Cake is also amazing. Or for a simple, summery dessert, try my Vanilla Ice Cream or Panna Cotta with a side of juicy Macerated Strawberries. And for breakfast, some juicy, saucy berries served with Greek yogurt and Granola just can’t be beat. Honestly, the uses are never-ending.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

It’s a simple recipe, with just 2 ingredients
You can add a liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, for a sophisticated dessert topper
No need for fancy equipment as it’s mixed together in one bowl
It’s a simple technique that turns fresh berries into dessert strawberries
There’s an abundance of ways to enjoy them!

Ingredients

Fresh Strawberries
White Sugar

Substitutions and Additions

Fresh berries: Macerated Strawberries can also be made with frozen, defrosted strawberries, when you can no longer get in-season berries. However, I find fresh berries yield the best results.
Liqueur: try these berries with a teaspoon of alcohol -it’ makes a delicious sweet sauce!
White Sugar: just by adding a little bit, it breaks down the berries, releasing the natural juices. Vanilla sugar is another easy way of adding some subtle flavour. Lemon juice will also work, so if you don’t want your berries too sweet, opt for half lemon juice/half sugar
Strawberries: they’ll always be my favourite, but you can macerate all kinds of berries and stone fruits also work well
Vanilla Extract or Maple Syrup: adds another level of flavour that would suit so many desserts

Step by Step Instructions

Wash, trim and hull your strawberries, then slice them into small pieces or slices, then add to a small bowl

Sprinkle over a tablespoon of sugar(to taste) and stir to combine
Cover with plastic wrap and leave in the fridge for 30 minutes to macerate and release all of the lovely juices

Tips and Tricks

After the strawberries have had enough time to macerate, you can blitz them with a stick blender and turn them into a delicious strawberry sauce.
It's best to use the macerated berries that day, or they can turn a little gooey

Serving Suggestions

Layer my Italian Meringues (or leftover Pavlova) with Macerated Strawberries and White Chocolate Chantilly cream for a delicious Eton Mess
Use them with Scones and Cream
On top of your weekend Pancakes or French Toast
Delicious with Chocolate Mousse

Storage

Refrigerate: keep your macerated strawberries in the fridge, but try to use them within a day

If you try this recipe, I’d love it if you could take a minute to leave a rating or review -it helps to get my recipes seen and for me to keep sharing them with you.