51 Ways to Turn Berries into a Spectacular Summer Dessert

Cakey Strawberry Cobbler in a casserole dish and bowl
Photo: Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

Nothing beats a bowl of fresh summer berries—that is, unless you have the idea to take those berries and make them into an irresistible dessert. Fresh berries are one of the truest treasures of Southern summers, and turning your farm stand 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 (or three), why not transform them into one of our most popular berry dessert recipes?

From frozen desserts that are sure to cool you down, to baked berry-studded classics, like the quintessential Blackberry Cobbler, these fresh berry dessert ideas are sure to have everyone asking for seconds. Try some of our favorite combinations that rely on fresh berries, like blueberries and lemons or strawberries and cream, for a perfectly paired dessert. Back to the market!

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Berry Chantilly Cake

Berry Chantilly Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Berry Chantilly Cake

Fresh berries mix with cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for a smooth and creamy filling and frosting.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes

These sweet cupcakes draw inspiration from one of summer's most refreshing drinks. Top them with fresh sliced strawberries.

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Mascarpone Cheesecake

Mascarpone Cheesecake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Mascarpone Cheesecake

This no-bake masterpiece is bursting with summer flavor thanks to the abundance of berries added on to the frozen cheesecake.

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Strawberry Tart

Strawberry Tart
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Strawberry Tart

While it may look intimidatingly beautiful, anyone can create this tart, as it relies on the simple ingredients of flaky crust, ricotta, and fresh glazed strawberries.

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Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

Lemon and blueberry are flavors matched in heaven, and this stunning Bundt topped with a bright berry glaze does the duo justice.

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Blueberry Snowballs

Blueberry, Lime, and Watermelon Snowballs
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Blueberry Snowballs

Make this refreshing New Orleans favorite this summer. All you need is fresh blueberries, lemon juice, and granulated sugar.

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Mixed Berry Slab Pie

Mixed Berry Slab Pie
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Mixed Berry Slab Pie

Feed a crowd without sacrificing any style with this slab pie that features raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. The trifecta.

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Strawberry Brownies

Strawberry Brownies
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Recipe: Strawberry Brownies

Get the best of both worlds with these fudgy treats made with fresh strawberries, brownie batter, and a no-bake chocolate topping.

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Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

Add graham crackers and sliced strawberries to this cheesecake pudding.

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Deep-Dish Berry Cobbler

Deep-Dish Berry Cobbler
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Deep-Dish Berry Cobbler

Deep-dish means there is more for everyone—and this three-berry cobbler is too good to ration. Lattice crust makes it pretty as a picnic.

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Strawberry Icebox Cake

Strawberry Icebox Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Cake

Layers of store-bought chocolate wafer cookies, homemade whipped cream flavored with strawberry jam, and fresh strawberries create this towering masterpiece fit for a feast.

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TennTucky Blackberry Cobbler Sundaes

TennTucky Blackberry Cobbler
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: TennTucky Blackberry Cobbler Sundaes

Savor in-season blackberries in this cobbler-turned-sundae that's bursting with berry flavor and a caramel surprise.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake

Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake

Perhaps one of our most popular summer cake recipes ever, this lemony strawberry layer cake is an absolute dream.

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Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake Recipe
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake

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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Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
Greg DuPree; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Cool off with the ultimate frozen treat: strawberry ice cream. This recipe gets an extra twist by adding fluffy angel food cake to the mixture.

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Blackberry Cobbler

Blackberry Cobbler
Southern Living

Recipe: Blackberry Cobbler

It's actually been proven that adding a scoop of ice cream helps classic blackberry cobbler straight from the oven cool down even more quickly. No burnt tongues here!

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Blueberry-Orange Blossom Honey Slab Pie

Blueberry-Orange Blossom Honey Slab Pie
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Blueberry-Orange Blossom Honey Slab Pie

Have you ever seen a prettier pie that also feeds 12 people? We thought not. Orange, honey, and blueberry make the freshest trio of flavors.

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Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars

Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars

Two different homemade berry purees jazz up the most perfectly creamy cheesecake and ensures it doesn't taste saccharinely sweet.

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Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp

Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp

A slightly crunchy, crumbly topping is made even better by super tender, sweetened berries and peaches. Serve with ice cream.

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Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipped Cream

Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipped Cream
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipped Cream

The strawberry-infused whipped cream that tops this tangy recipe is reason enough to make it—and the pretty pink color makes quite the centerpiece.

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Raspberry-Almond Crumble Bars

Raspberry-Almond Crumble Bars
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Raspberry-Almond Crumble Bars

Gooey in parts, crumbly in others, these bars have all the sweet jammy flavor we could want in a summer bar cookie.

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Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Cake

This layer cake doesn't want you to have to choose between indulgent chocolate and fruity strawberry, which will eliminate a lot of dessert debates in any house.

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Blackberry-Apple Butter Pie Bars

Blackberry-Apple Butter Pie Bars
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Blackberry-Apple Butter Pie Bars

For the perfect balance between cookies and pies, choose this berry-studded bar dessert made with our Slow-Cooker Apple Butter.

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Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars

Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars

Rhubarb adds a zingy dose of tartness to sweet berry bars, and seeing the berries before you eat them just adds to the charm.

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Blackberry-Oat Crumble Bars

Blackberry-Oat Crumble Bars
Photo: Helen Norman; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Blackberry-Oat Crumble Bars

Take your berry crumble on the road by turning it into a portable bar dessert with the perfect layer of homemade jammy filling.

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Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Strawberry Cream Pie

A chocolate cookie-crumb crust adds crunch to the French pastry cream and bright berries in this recipe.

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Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes

Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes

Cornmeal makes these shortbread cookies extra crunchy, while cream cheese is combined with whipped cream to make the smooth filling.

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Triple Berry Sonker with Dip

Berry Sonker with Dip
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Triple Berry Sonker with Dip

All your favorite berries come together in this dessert that has ties to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.

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Mixed Berry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Cheesecake Cupcakes
Photographer: Alison Miksch Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

Recipe: Mixed Berry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Top these cheesecake cupcakes with raspberries and blueberries, or whatever is fresh in your region.

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Homemade Berry Pop Tarts

Homemade Pop Tarts
Southern Living

Recipe: Homemade Berry Pop Tarts

These homemade pop tarts give store-bought ones a run for their money. All you'll need is pie crust, berry jam, and a frosting of your choice.

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Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel

Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling; Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel

The cornmeal crumble that tops these muffins provides the perfect crunch to match the sweetness of the berries.

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Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Strawberries add a beautiful swirl to the middle of this rich pound cake.

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Strawberry Lemonade Pie

Strawberry Lemonade Pie
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade Pie

Frozen lemonade concentrate is the magic ingredient in this sweet and summery pie.

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Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Blueberry Streusel Muffins
Southern Living

Recipe: Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Blueberry muffins meet coffee cake in this wonderfully crumbly dessert.

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Lemon Raspberry Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cake

Fresh raspberries give this cake's frosting and filling bright color and flavor.

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Blackberry Jam Cake

Blackberry Jam Cake
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Blackberry Jam Cake

Caramel cream cheese frosting balances out the sweet layered cake that's made with blackberry jam.

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Strawberry Galette

Strawberry Galette
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Strawberry Galette

This berry treat is similar to a strawberry pie, but without any of the fuss. The store-bought pie crust folds over the filling in this dish for extra crunch and security.

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Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars

Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars
Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars

A blueberry and lemon filling is sandwiched between buttery layers of crust.

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Strawberry Vanilla Cake

Strawberry Vanilla Cake
Sarah Epperson

Recipe: Strawberry Vanilla Cake

Chopped strawberries bring bright color to this elegant layered cake.

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Blueberry-Orange-Ginger Cobblers

Blueberry-Orange-Ginger Cobblers
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Blueberry-Orange-Ginger Cobblers

Blueberries, orange zest, and freshly grated ginger make an aromatic and filling cobbler.

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Bakeshop Blueberry Muffins

Bakeshop Blueberry Muffins
Southern Living

Recipe: Bakeshop Blueberry Muffins

Craving the buttery goodness of a bakery blueberry muffin? This recipe will help satisfy that craving within the hour.

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Strawberry Dream Cake

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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Mini Strawberry Tarts

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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Blueberry-Cheesecake Ice-Cream Pie

Blueberry-Cheesecake Ice Cream Pie
Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Blueberry-Cheesecake Ice-Cream Pie

This no bake cheesecake is perfect for summer. After preparing each layer, be sure to let it freeze for a pretty, assembled look.

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Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

This easy sheet cake is a strawberry lover's dream with its pink layers and strawberry garnish on top.

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Berry Bread Pudding

Berry Bread Pudding
Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Amy Burke

Recipe: Berry Bread Pudding

Pour raspberry sauce over this comforting dessert to add sweet berry flavor.

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Berries and Bubbles

Berries and Bubbles
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Berries and Bubbles

Prosecco and club soda are key to making this congealed berry salad.

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Mixed Berry Scones With Lemon Ginger Glaze

Mixed Berry Scones With Lemon Ginger Glaze 
Briana Riddock

Recipe: Mixed Berry Scones With Lemon Ginger Glaze

Lemon ginger glaze adds an extra tart sweetness to these berry scones, which are the perfect snack for any time of day.

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Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake

Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake
Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake

Use vanilla-flavored cornmeal batter for a sweet balance in flavor.

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Mile-High Mini Strawberry Pies

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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Cakey Strawberry Cobbler

Cakey Strawberry Cobbler in a casserole dish and bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Cakey Strawberry Cobbler

You'll always want to use cakey batter for your cobblers after seeing how beautifully it puffs up around fresh strawberries—oh, and how delicious it tastes.

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