20 Ways to Turn Berries Into Dessert

By Southern Living

Nothing beats a bowl of fresh summer berries…unless you take those berries and make them into an irresistible dessert, that is. Fresh berries are one of the true treasures of Southern summers, and turning your farmers’ market finds into tasty treats is easier than you think. So, if you get a little carried away at the market and end up with a basket of berries, why not give one of our favorite berry dessert recipes a try? From frozen desserts that are sure to cool you down, like our homemade strawberry ice cream, to baked berry classics, like a blackberry cobbler, these fresh berry dessert ideas are sure to have you looking for seconds.

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Blackberry Gelato Recipe

Helen Norman

Recipe: Blackberry Gelato

Created by Blackberry Farm, an award-winning luxury hotel and resort in eastern Tennessee, this recipe is made with vanilla gelato and swirls of homemade blackberry purée.

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Fried Blueberry-Ginger Hand Pies Recipe

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Fried Blueberry-Ginger Hand Pies Recipe

These hand pies are made with a fresh ginger to give the berry filling a dash of heat that’s sure to sizzle at any summer soirée.

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Berries with Tequila Cream

Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Berries With Tequila Cream

For a smokier flavor, user mescal for this velvety cream.

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Double Berry-Almond Galette

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Double Berry-Almond Galette

The only thing better than this beautiful mixed berry presentation is the scrumptious filling you’ll get in every bite.

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Strawberry-Blueberry Shortcake Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Van Chaplin

Perfect for a day at the beach, this treat is not only kid-friendly, but it takes less than 15 minutes to whip together.

Recipe:
Combine 1 lb. fresh strawberries, sliced, with 2 cups fresh blueberries; sprinkle with 3 Tbsp. sugar, and toss. Let stand 10 minutes. Spoon evenly over 10 vanilla or chocolate miniature ice-cream sandwiches; dollop with 1⁄2 (8-oz.) container thawed whipped topping.

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Strawberry Dream Cake

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Strawberry Dream Cake

With layers perfectly filled with upright strawberries, each bite of this cake is sure to be a delicious dream.

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Buttermilk-Blackberry Pops

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Buttermilk-Blackberry Pops

Take your frozen treat game to the next level by adding berries in all the right ways.

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Mini Strawberry Tarts

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Mini Strawberry Tarts

Top these tarts with fresh strawberries tossed in sugar for a hint of added sweetness. 

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Raspberry Tiramisù

William Dickey

Recipe: Raspberry Tiramisù Bites

Whether you serve in simple shot glasses or larger clear dishes, this dish is so quick to fix you can make dozens at a time.

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Honey-Balsamic-Blueberry Pie

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Honey-Balsamic-Blueberry Pie

We love how a touch of tangy-sweet balsamic vinegar mixed with cinnamon, honey, and a pinch of black pepper boosts the sweetness of blueberries in this after dinner favorite.

Step-by-Step Video: Lattice Pie Crust

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Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake Recipe

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake Recipe

This moist dessert mixes texture from medium-grind cornmeal with the sweet taste of fresh blueberries for the perfect summer cake combination.

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Mile-High Mini Strawberry Pies

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Mile-High Mini Strawberry Pies

Our trick for perfect mini pies? While your first batch of pies bakes, chill your reserved crust rounds. After you’ve let the pan completely cool off, you can start your second batch.

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Blackberry, Browned Butter, and Almond Tart Recipe

Helen Norman

Recipe: Blackberry, Browned Butter, and Almond Tart Recipe

This crust-less tart is a Blackberry Farm creation. Made in a tart pan, these treats act like a cookie on the outside but give way to juicy blackberries and dense butter cake texture on the inside. 

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Strawberry-Basil Ice Cream

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Strawberry-Basil Ice-Cream
 

Pulse basil, lemon juice, and strawberries to help these distinct flavors collide just right. 

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Blackberry Wine Sorbet

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry Wine Sorbet

Serve this sweet treat on a hot summer night for a perfectly refreshing end to your meal.

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TennTucky Blackberry Cobbler

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: TennTucky Blackberry Cobbler Recipe

Savor in-season blackberries in this cobbler that’s bursting with berry flavor.

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Blueberry-Lemon Zest Ice Cream

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Zest Ice Cream

Add some fresh berries, and you’re sure to have a hard time limiting yourself to one scoop.

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Blueberry Bread Pudding

Southern Living

Recipe: Very Berry Summer Pudding

Adding blueberries to a classic bread pudding is a sure way to create an instant summer hit.

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Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Sweet strawberry flavor meets pretzels and salt to create an irresistible and refreshing dessert. Top it with whipped cream, and you’ll have a hard time walking away from the table.

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Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler

Recipe: Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler

This elevated, Southern take on a red, white, and blue dessert could not be more delicious or impressive. We've combined the flavors of fresh, local berries with sweet cobbler and the ever-popular red velvet cake. Taking a spoonful of this colorful, layered dessert gives you that taste of classic cobbler that you love, infused with a little chocolate, and the creamy chill of homemade ice cream. Using berries at the height of the summer season gives bright flavor to this cobbler recipe, and is the perfect way to use up any leftover produce from the farmers' market. When you serve this Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler layered with our homemade Cream Cheese Ice Cream in a chilled glass, guests will ask for seconds – guaranteed! Top off your individual cobbler glasses with a few sprigs of fresh mint and serve on a platter for a festive Fourth of July presentation.

If you're feeling a little adventurous, there are a few variations on this recipe that you can also try. For a Chocolate-Cherry Cobbler, omit the red food coloring and substitute 6 cups pitted fresh cherries (about 2 1/2 to 3 lb.) for the fresh berries. Decrease the flour to 1 cup, and increase the unsweetened cocoa to 1/4 cup. Continue with the recipe as directed. For a Chocolate-Cherry Cobbler sundae – who can resist? – top scoops of Chocolate-Cherry Cobbler with homemade vanilla ice cream, a healthy topping of hot fudge sauce, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream, and fresh cherries (with stems).

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Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade Floats

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade Floats

Beat the summer heat with a refreshing treat that pairs the frozen delight of ice cream with a sparkle of carbonation.

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