Food and Recipes Fruits Berries 50 Fresh Berry Desserts For Every Summer Occasion By Zoe Denenberg Zoe Denenberg As a professional baker, Zoe Denenberg has spent the past two years traveling across the country—from Alabama to Hawai'i—working in farm-focused pastry kitchens. She has written about food, travel, and culture for Southern Living since 2019. See more of Zoe's work at https://zoedenenberg.wixsite.com/portfolio and follow her on Instagram. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 4, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg Dupree On long summer days, there's no better activity than meandering around the local farmers' market. The alluring perfume of sweet Southern strawberries and juicy blueberries is a summer treat. But we all know the familiar, dreadful feeling of leaving those once-beautiful berries out on the counter a little too long, leaving them uneaten, soft, and spoiled. While fresh berries are delicious all on their own, there are so many ways to transform these summer fruits to make sure they won't go to waste.Throw your extra berries into tarts, pies, cakes, or jams to create sweet treats or eloquent desserts for any occasion. Accidentally overloaded on farmers' market strawberries? Turn any day into a summer celebration with a slice of Strawberry Dream Cake. New to the neighborhood? Bring new life to almost-overripe berries (and make instant friends) by gifting the neighbors a container full of thumbprint cookies. From flaky blackberry galettes to simple yet elegant parfaits, any one of these berry desserts is sure to delight as the finale for your next summer dinner party. 01 of 50 Black-and-Blue Buttermilk Tart Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Black-and-Blue Buttermilk Tart Complement the sweet-and-salty cracker crust in this buttermilk tart with an assortment of berries. While the recipe calls for blackberries and blueberries, you can't go wrong with a touch of strawberries, too. 02 of 50 Berry Sonker with Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Recipe: Berry Sonker with Dip What is a sonker, you ask? Let us introduce you to this North Carolina specialty. 03 of 50 Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Sometimes, you just can't beat the classics. Have this time-tested recipe on hand for summer dinner parties or spontaneous social gatherings. 04 of 50 Blackberry Jam Cake Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Blackberry Jam Cake Topped with a savory caramel cream cheese frosting, this jam cake packs a punch of harmonious flavors. 05 of 50 Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Southern Living Recipe: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Tie a stack of these cute-as-a-button lemon and raspberry cookies in ribbon or twine to deliver as a thoughtful, homemade gift. 06 of 50 Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Cornmeal Cookies Berry Shortcakes Imagine a bowl of cereal with strawberries... in dessert form. These cornmeal cookies are the perfect festive potluck treat. 07 of 50 Raspberry-Almond Crumble Bars Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Raspberry-Almond Crumble Bars The smooth texture of the raspberry complements the crumbly crust to create a dynamic on-the-go dessert. 08 of 50 Strawberry Lemonade Pie Micah A. Leal Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade Pie All the flavors of a pop-up lemonade stand distilled into a sweet summertime pie. 09 of 50 Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff Recipe: Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake This icebox cake with a fruity twist will take you right back to your childhood. 10 of 50 White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Micah A. Leal Recipe: White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Use these beautiful berries to decorate cakes, cheesecakes, or dessert platters. 11 of 50 Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick Recipe: Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp No summer is complete without a perfectly crumbly fruit crisp. 12 of 50 Strawberry Jam Jennifer Causey Recipe: Strawberry Jam Make strawberries last longer than ever before in this classic recipe that can be refrigerated for up to two months. 13 of 50 Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake The addition of strawberries makes this pound cake healthy… right? 14 of 50 Peach-Raspberry Buckle Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Recipe: Peach-Raspberry Buckle Pound cake meets fruit crumble in this unique Southern recipe. 15 of 50 Strawberry-Lemonade Cake Jen Causey Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cake Strawberry lovers rejoice. It doesn't get much better than layer after layer of lemony cake and tangy Strawberry-Lemonade Jam. 16 of 50 Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake Strawberry shortcake gets an inventive makeover with this simple sheet cake recipe. 17 of 50 Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars The swirled top of these cheesecake bars are magnificent. 18 of 50 Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling; Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel We love this recipe because you can put to use any berries you have on hand. 19 of 50 Blueberry-Honey Upside Down Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Blueberry-Honey Upside Down Cake This is our latest upside down cake discovery, and we will be making it all summer long. 20 of 50 Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars Raspberries and rhubarb are a match made in heaven. 21 of 50 Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake Jennifer Causey Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake Fillings made with fresh berries replace the usual gelatin filling found in poke cakes. 22 of 50 Triple Berry Sonker with Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Recipe: Triple Berry Sonker with Dip Top this dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent experience. 23 of 50 Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars Although these look like bar cookies, you'll need a fork to enjoy these fruity treats. 24 of 50 Berry Chantilly Cake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Berry Chantilly Cake Mix fresh berries into the frosting of this cake for a masterful presentation. 25 of 50 Blueberry-Lemon Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Cake This layer cake will steal the show at any summer function. 26 of 50 Blackberry-Apple Butter Pie Bars Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Blackberry-Apple Butter Pie Bars If you can't decide between cookies or pie, try this bar recipes that's bursting with fresh blueberries. 27 of 50 Mascarpone Cheesecake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Mascarpone Cheesecake This no-bake cheesecake will melt in your mouth. 28 of 50 Deep-Dish Berry Cobbler Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Deep-Dish Berry Cobbler Be sure the fruit filling is bubbling before taking this cobbler out of the oven. 29 of 50 Blueberry-Ginger Crumb Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Blueberry-Ginger Crumb Cake Crystallized ginger gives this cake just a smidge of spice that is balanced by bright blueberries. 30 of 50 Mixed Berry Slab Pie Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen Recipe: Mixed Berry Slab Pie The colors of fresh berries speak for themselves in this beautiful and eye-catching pie. 31 of 50 Blueberry Chiffon Mini Pies Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Blueberry Chiffon Mini Pies These mini pies are perfect for your next dinner party. The beautiful purple filling will pop on any table. 32 of 50 Blueberry Galette Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Recipe: Blueberry Galette If you like blueberry pie, this galette should be your latest go-to. It's easier to make than a pie and doesn't even require homemade dough. 33 of 50 Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake Bring a little bit of England to the South with this crowd-pleasing summertime sheet cake. 34 of 50 Strawberry Kuchen Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Recipe: Strawberry Kuchen This kuchen has a fluffy crumb and is sprinkled with strawberries and almonds. 35 of 50 Cakey Strawberry Cobbler Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Cakey Strawberry Cobbler This cakey dessert is also known as a batter cobbler. The golden top rises as the cobbler bakes. 36 of 50 Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes Jennifer Davick Recipe: Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes As pretty as petits fours, these luscious little two-bite gems can be finished with any kind of berry or preserves. Get ahead, and bake the cheesecakes in advance. After baking, they'll freeze up to one month. Thaw and top with preserves and fruit before serving. 37 of 50 Strawberry Dream Cake Photo: Greg Dupree Recipe: Strawberry Dream Cake You'll fall in love with this too-good-to-be-true strawberry cake. Fluffy whipped frosting made with marscapone cheese, sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla and almond extracts is the perfect finishing touch. We love the presentation of cake slices with upright strawberries between the layers. When it comes down to the details, this sweet confection takes the cake. 38 of 50 Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Recipe: Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars This recipe transforms messy, drippy cobbler into a neat on-the-go snack. 39 of 50 Mini Strawberry Tarts Greg Dupree Recipe: Mini Strawberry Tarts These sweet treats start with a pistachio crust. A dreamy mixture of cream cheese, lemon juice and zest, and whipped cream are folded together before filling the individual tarts. Toss the fresh strawberries in sugar, just before topping the tarts, to give them just a hint of added sweetness. 40 of 50 Raspberry Limeade Granitas Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Raspberry Limeade Granita These fresh and fruity shaved ice desserts are a breeze to make. Throwing a party? Add your favorite spirit for slushy cocktails. 41 of 50 Strawberry Vanilla Cake Sarah Epperson Recipe: Strawberry Vanilla Cake This pink layer cake is packed with fresh strawberries. 42 of 50 Chocolate-Raspberry Truffles Joy Howard Recipe: Chocolate-Raspberry Truffles A box of berry truffles make for the perfect gift. 43 of 50 Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Recipe: Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake A raspberry topping is the perfect addition to this chocolate cheesecake. 44 of 50 No-Churn Rhubarb-Raspberry Ice Cream Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: No-Churn Rhubarb-Raspberry Ice Cream Rhubarb and raspberry make for one tasty scoop of ice cream. 45 of 50 Skillet Rhubarb-Strawberry Crisp with Salted-Almond Streusel Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Skillet Rhubarb-Strawberry Crisp with Salted-Almond Streusel A skillet crisp topped with a scoop of ice cream is a classic way to enjoy the season. 46 of 50 No-Bake Strawberry Pie Joy Howard Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Pie A graham cracker crust and fresh strawberries make for one delicious dessert. 47 of 50 Blueberry-Plum Pops Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Blueberry-Plum Pops Homemade frozen treats for the kids and kids-at-heart. 48 of 50 Blueberry-Orange Blossom Honey Slab Pie Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen Recipe: Blueberry-Orange Blossom Honey Slab Pie Make an easy slab pie extra special with fun cutouts. 49 of 50 Raspberry-Lemon-Cheesecake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Raspberry-Lemon-Cheesecake It's a flavor combination made in heaven. 50 of 50 Raspberry Snack Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Raspberry Snack Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting The salted chocolate frosting is the perfect topping for this easy, raspberry-filled snack cake. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit