Sweet Spring Delights: Exploring Strawberries, Raspberries, Cream Cheese, and Butter in Irresistible Desserts

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Spring is the season of fresh produce and vibrant flavours, making it the perfect time to indulge in delectable desserts. In this blog post, we'll delve into four key ingredients that shine in our Spring dessert menu: strawberries, raspberries, cream cheese and butter. Join us as we explore the deliciouness of these ingredients in creating truly irrestible treats and offer some suggestions for what you should bake this Spring.

Strawberries

The arrival of Spring is marked by the lusciousness of strawberries. Bursting with sweet juiciness, they lend a delightful touch to any dessert. Consider incorporating these ruby red gems into a classic strawberry cheesecake, where their vibrant flavour shines alongside the smooth creaminess. Alternatively, try them in a strawberry tart, where their natural beauty is showcased atop a buttery, crumbly crust. Don't forget to garnish your creations with fresh strawberry slices for an extra pop of color and flavour.

Recipe Suggestion- Rhubarb and Strawberry Crumble

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bunch rhubarb, trimmed, cut into 3cm pieces
• 500g strawberries, hulled
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 1/3 cups (295g) caster sugar
• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 2/3 cups (250g) plain flour
• 2/3 cup (60g) rolled oats
• Double cream swirled with honey, to serve

METHOD

• 1.
• Preheat oven to 180°C. Place rhubarb, strawberries, lemon zest and 2/3 cup (150g) sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes or until rhubarb starts to soften and collapse. Remove from heat and set aside.
• 2.
• To make the crumble, place butter, flour, oats and remaining 100g sugar in a bowl. Using your hands, mix together to form a rustic, chunky crumble.
• 3.
• Transfer rhubarb mixture to a baking dish set over a baking tray to catch any cooking juices. Top with crumble, then bake for 20 minutes. Increase oven to 200°C and bake for a further 20 minutes or until golden, crunchy and bubbling.
• 4.
• Serve the crumble hot with spoonfuls of honeyed double cream.

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Raspberries

Raspberries, with their delicate sweetness and slight tartness, offer a burst of fruity goodness in Spring desserts. Add a handful of these delights to your muffin batter, creating a delightful swirl of tartness that complements the sweetness of the cake. For a show-stopping treat, try incorporating raspberries into a creamy raspberry cheesecake. The tanginess of the raspberries perfectly complements the rich and velvety cream cheese, resulting in a divine dessert that will leave your taste buds begging for more.

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Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that adds richness and a delightful tang to Spring desserts. Whip it into a luscious frosting to crown your cupcakes with a creamy indulgence. The combination of cream cheese and butter creates a velvety smoothness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cakes. You can also use cream cheese in a classic cheesecake, where its luxurious texture and tangy flavor shine. Whether in frosting or cheesecake form, cream cheese elevates any Spring dessert to a whole new level of decadence.

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Butter

Butter, with its golden goodness, is the backbone of many desserts, creating a rich and tender crumb. Mix it into your cake batter, creating a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth with each bite. The buttery aroma that wafts through your kitchen as your dessert bakes is simply irresistible. And when it comes to creating flaky pie crusts or crumbly streusel toppings, butter is an indispensable ingredient. Its richness adds depth of flavor and creates a heavenly mouthfeel that completes any dessert experience.

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As Spring arrives, embrace the flavors and abundance of the season with these four key ingredients: strawberries, raspberries, cream cheese, and butter. From delightful strawberry shortcakes to tangy raspberry cheesecakes, and from luscious cream cheese frosting to tender buttery creations, these ingredients offer an array of possibilities for sweet Spring delights. So, don't hesitate to experiment, explore, and indulge your taste buds in these irresistible desserts that capture the essence of the season.

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