16 Delicious Berry Desserts for Summer and Beyond

The Sweetest Way to End Any Meal

By
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/11/21
Arrange the fruit

The Spruce 

From the first tender strawberries of spring to summer's bursting blueberries, to the cranberries that brighten up our winter tables, the beautiful juicy fruit is bountiful all year long. And because they preserve so well, berries easily carry over the seasons, so you can make the most of the tiny gems, no matter what the calendar says.

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  • 01 of 16

    Fresh Spring Pavlova

    Australian pavlova recipe

    The Spruce 

    A ruby-red assortment rests on a pillowy meringue in this party showstopper. Keep in mind that even a speck of grease will ruin your meringue, so it's important to start with clean tools. For the highest, most impressive peaks, don't forget to bring egg whites to room temperature before beating.

  • 02 of 16

    Blueberry Tea Cake

    blueberry tea cake

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This blueberry-studded cake works as a sweet breakfast, brunch, or light dessert. Serve it with a side of eggs for overnight guests, or with fresh whipped cream on top after dinner. Both fresh or frozen berries will yield the same tender cake, while chopped nuts can add a bit of crunch.

  • 03 of 16

    The Classic Eton Mess

    Classic English Eton Mess

    The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

    Use peak-ripe strawberries for this deliciously disheveled treat. As the story goes, a Labrador sat on a picnic basket in the back of the car at Eton College, but guests ate the resulting "mess" anyway. It might not be much to look at, but this combination of meringue, cream, and fruit is undeniably good.

  • 04 of 16

    Easy Berry Dessert Sauce

    berry sauce

    Richard Jung / Getty Images

    Give basic sponge cake or vanilla ice cream an elegant upgrade with a three-ingredient sauce. The recipe is as easy as it gets, combining sugar and your choice of berries with Cointreau or Grand Marnier. The liqueur adds a spicy complexity to the sweet, syrupy dessert topper.

    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Traditional English Trifle

    English trifle

    Elaine Lemm

    There are as many ways to make trifle as there are opinions about the Royals, but one thing's for sure: Everyone will be raving about this classic English confection when it hits the table. If serving to adults, soak the sponge cake in sherry; omit the alcohol if kids join the party. There's no need to include jelly if you're short on time, but it adds a nice textural contrast.

  • 06 of 16

    Black Forest Cheesecake

    Black Forest Cheesecake

    The Spruce Eats / Jessie Sheehan

    A beautiful and delicious way to use sweet cherries, this black forest cheesecake is dressed to impress. The chocolate cookie crust is filled with a chocolate cheesecake filling and baked to perfection. Don't stress about flaws because you'll add a heaping pile of delicious cherry whipped cream and compote on top. 

  • 07 of 16

    Strawberry Cheesecake

    strawberry cheesecake sliced on a plate

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

    Master your kitchen skills by baking a classic strawberry cheesecake. The recipe is easy when you break down the steps: Bake a graham cracker crust, add the cream cheese and ricotta filling and bake again, then top it with a fresh strawberry compote. It's fresh, fabulous, and a dessert everyone will love.

  • 08 of 16

    Berry Crumble

    Low Calorie Berry Crumble

    John Freemon / Getty Images

    Portion smartly and you can have your dessert and eat it, too. With whole-grain oats and berries, this guilt-free ​crumble could jump start your day. Dessert for breakfast?! Why, yes! Make the most of summer's bounty, or use frozen berries once the cooler months roll in.

    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Strawberry Cream Pie

    Strawberry Cream Pie

    Getty Images 

    If you like strawberry shortcake, you'll love this strawberry and cream pie. The luscious custard plays off the tart strawberries for a juicy, creamy bite. Using a store-bought shell saves time, but a homemade shortbread crust truly takes it to the next level.

  • 10 of 16

    Skillet Blackberry Cobbler

    skillet blackberry cobbler

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Your cast-iron skillet can be used for more than savory dishes. This skillet blackberry cobbler makes great use of the versatile pan to create a warm, bubbling treat. Serve it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a real study in contrasts.

  • 11 of 16

    Blueberry Grunt

    Blueberry Grunt

    Anita Schecter 

    A blueberry grunt is similar to a fruit cobbler except its cooked on the stovetop. It's a simple and delicious way to showcase summer fruit, and is especially good served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

  • 12 of 16

    Blueberry Lemon Cake

    Blueberry Lemon Cake

     Kristina Vanni

    Put blueberries to good use in this fruity blueberry lemon bundt cake. It's moist with the perfect balance of sweet and tart and will feed a crowd. Make it ahead of time for a potluck, bake sale, or family dinner or brunch.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    Apple Raspberry Crisp

    Apple raspberry crisp

    Image Studios / Getty Images

    What's better than a simple apple crisp? One that adds sweet berries to the mix. Combine your favorite fruits together in this warm twist on a classic. If you're feeling creative, substitute pears for the apples, blueberries for raspberries, or any other fruit pairings. The sky's the limit.

  • 14 of 16

    Summer Berry, Lemon, and Mascarpone Tart

    Lemon Berry Mascarpone Tart

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    For a dessert that looks as good as it tastes, look no further than this berry, lemon and mascarpone tart. You can even make the tart crust and fill it before serving if you're short on time the day of. Note that even though the filling doesn't need to cook, beating it into peaks does take a few minutes, so make sure you plan accordingly.

  • 15 of 16

    Blueberry Bread Pudding

    berried bread pudding

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Do you have bread going stale in your cupboard? Instead of tossing it out, transform the loaf into a berry bread pudding. While this recipe calls for blueberries, it works with just about any fruit you favor. Any style of bread will do—try it with challah or even raisin bread.

  • 16 of 16

    Bright Blueberry Sorbet

    Blueberry Sorbet

     
    Alexandra Grablewski/Getty Images

    For those who stay dairy-free, you can't beat a refreshing berry sorbet. Both fresh-picked and frozen blueberries can go into this recipe, so you can make it year-round. Once you've mastered the technique, feel free to swap in other fruits.