Thanksgiving is such a special time for gathering with family, sharing stories, and of course, indulging in delicious desserts! I absolutely love the array of flavors that come together during the holidays, but sometimes, you just want something light yet festive. That’s where my *thanksgiving strawberries* come in! This delightful dessert is not only super simple to whip up, but it also brings a burst of freshness to your holiday table. With juicy strawberries enveloped in fluffy whipped cream, it’s a sweet treat that everyone will love. Trust me, once you serve this, your guests will be asking for the recipe!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple ingredients to create your *thanksgiving strawberries*. Make sure your strawberries are fresh and ripe for the best flavor! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Prepare Thanksgiving Strawberries
Making *thanksgiving strawberries* is a breeze! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delightful dessert ready in no time. Let’s dive right in!
Step 1: Wash and Hull the Strawberries
First things first, you’ll want to wash your strawberries under cool running water. Make sure to gently scrub them to remove any dirt. Then, hull them by removing the green tops. Trust me, using ripe strawberries will make all the difference in flavor—look for berries that are bright red and firm to the touch. They should smell sweet and fragrant, just like summer!
Step 2: Slice the Strawberries
Next up, it’s time to slice those beautiful strawberries! I like to cut them in half, but you could also quarter them if you prefer smaller pieces. The key here is to make your slices even, so the strawberries mix well with the cream. Uniformity helps ensure every spoonful has that perfect strawberry-to-cream ratio!
Step 3: Mix the Cream
Now, in a separate bowl, let’s whip up the cream! Combine your whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. I recommend using an electric mixer for this—just whip until it’s light and fluffy. You want it to hold soft peaks, but be careful not to overmix; we want it dreamy, not grainy!
Step 4: Fold in the Strawberries
Here comes the fun part! Gently fold in the sliced strawberries with the whipped cream mixture. Use a spatula and take your time; you want to maintain that lovely airy texture of the cream. Just scoop from the bottom and gently lift it over the strawberries until everything is nicely combined.
Step 5: Chill Before Serving
Finally, let’s give it some time to chill! Transfer your strawberry mixture into a serving bowl and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This is crucial because chilling enhances the flavors and allows everything to meld together beautifully. Trust me, you’ll be glad you waited when you take that first bite!
Nutritional Information
It’s always good to keep an eye on nutrition, especially during the holiday season! Just a quick note: the nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so take these numbers as a guideline rather than exact figures. That said, here’s what you can typically expect per serving of my *thanksgiving strawberries*:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 30mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
Enjoy this light dessert without too much guilt! It’s a sweet and refreshing way to finish off your Thanksgiving feast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for busy holiday schedules!
- No baking required, so you can spend more time with family and friends.
- Light and refreshing, making it a great way to balance heavier Thanksgiving dishes.
- Uses just a few simple ingredients that let the fresh strawberries shine.
- Customizable sweetness—adjust the sugar to suit your taste!
- Elegant enough for any holiday table, yet simple enough for any cook.
- Everyone loves strawberries, so it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Tips for Success
To make sure your *thanksgiving strawberries* turn out perfectly every time, here are a few pro tips that I swear by:
- Use the freshest strawberries: Ripe, in-season strawberries are key! They should be bright red with no soft spots. If you can, visit a local farmers’ market for the best picks.
- Adjust the sugar: Taste your strawberries before adding sugar; some may be sweeter than others. Don’t hesitate to tweak the amount to your liking. You want that perfect balance!
- Chill everything: For the best results, chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping the cream. This helps it whip up faster and stay fluffy longer!
- Be gentle when folding: When adding the strawberries to the whipped cream, fold gently to keep that light and airy texture. Over-mixing can lead to a deflated dessert—yikes!
- Serve it fresh: While these strawberries can be made ahead, they’re best enjoyed fresh after chilling. If they sit too long, the strawberries can release juice and make the cream watery.
- Get creative: Feel free to add a splash of citrus juice or zest for a zingy twist! A little lemon or orange can brighten up the flavors even more.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be serving up the perfect *thanksgiving strawberries* that will wow your guests and leave them asking for seconds!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
If you happen to have any leftovers of these delightful *thanksgiving strawberries*, storing them is super easy! Just transfer the dessert into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep well for about 2 days. But let me tell you, the flavors are best enjoyed fresh, so try to finish it off within that timeframe if you can!
Now, about reheating—good news: there’s no reheating needed for this dessert! Since it’s served chilled, just take it out of the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy a sweet bite. If you notice that the strawberries have released some juice after sitting, just give it a gentle stir before serving to mix everything back together.
So, go ahead and make these *thanksgiving strawberries* in advance! You’ll have a refreshing treat ready to delight your guests when the time comes!
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving my *thanksgiving strawberries*, the options are delightfully endless! This dessert pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes that can elevate your holiday meal. Here are some of my favorite combinations that will have your guests raving:
- Angel food cake: The light and airy texture of angel food cake complements the strawberries perfectly. Just layer the strawberries on top or serve them on the side for a delightful contrast!
- Pumpkin pie: The spiced sweetness of pumpkin pie makes for a classic Thanksgiving pairing. The refreshing strawberries can help cut through the richness of the pie.
- Chocolate cake: If you’re feeling indulgent, a rich chocolate cake makes a decadent companion. The sweetness of the strawberries provides a lovely balance to the deep cocoa flavor.
- Cheesecake: Creamy cheesecake topped with a generous scoop of *thanksgiving strawberries* is a match made in dessert heaven! It’s a combination that brings together richness and freshness.
- Vanilla ice cream: Serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side to make it even more special. The creaminess of the ice cream pairs wonderfully with the bright flavors of the strawberries.
- Shortcakes: Use buttery shortcakes as a base and pile on the *thanksgiving strawberries* and whipped cream for a delightful twist on a classic dessert.
These pairings not only enhance the dining experience but also bring that festive spirit to your table. So go ahead and mix and match! Your guests will love the variety, and it’ll make your Thanksgiving spread even more memorable.
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Thanksgiving Strawberries: 5 Fresh Ways to Indulge
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful dessert featuring strawberries perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Wash and hull the strawberries.
- Slice the strawberries in half.
- In a bowl, mix whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Gently fold in the strawberries.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe strawberries for best flavor.
- Adjust sugar according to taste.
- Can be served with cake or pie.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: thanksgiving strawberries, dessert, holiday recipes
