We can’t resist impulse-buying fresh cartons of peak-season strawberries this time of year. California’s best farmers markets feature them front and center—the strawberries find themselves in our shopping totes before we even know it. Luckily, these strawberry recipes’ sole purpose is to put them to good use before they become overripe.

From no-bake desserts to homemade California ice creams, these ‘berry’ tasty strawberry recipes will make you put your chef’s hat on and get to work. 

1. Homemade Strawberry Jam

A classic strawberry jam is a versatile addition to your pantry. Easy, tasty, and requiring less than five ingredients, this is a homemade strawberry recipe you need to try.

Ingredients

2 pounds California strawberries

3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 pounds granulated sugar (about 4 cups)

Instructions

1. Wash the strawberries, remove stems, and cut them in half before lightly smashing them with a large fork.
2. Transfer the mashed strawberries along with their juice to a medium-sized pan. Add the fresh lemon juice and let it all boil over low heat. This should take about five minutes.
3. Add in the granulated sugar while stirring, making sure it is evenly distributed. Raise the heat to high and let it boil for 15 minutes without stirring. 
4. Remove the resulting foam on top with a large metal spoon. Let the jam cool for a few seconds before pouring it into clean mason jars.
5. Store the jars in a dry and dark place. Transfer them to the refrigerator once you open the lid.

2. Healthy Strawberry Fruit Leather

You can make this strawberry recipe with the exact same ingredients as the previous one, yet have a completely different product. But to make it a little healthier, we substituted sugar with honey. Regardless if you choose sugar or honey, you’ll have equally tasty fruit leather.

Ingredients

⅓ cup honey from Chico Honey Co.

3 cups sliced California strawberries

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Blend the strawberries, honey, and lemon juice until smooth. 
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat in a saucepan. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Let the mixture cool for five minutes before transferring it to the prepared baking sheet, making sure it is spread out thin and even. Bake for four to five hours, until the mixture is no longer sticky.
5. After letting it cool completely, transfer the leather to a cutting board and cut into strips of desired sizes. Gently roll each strip with parchment paper and store in an airtight container.

3. Strawberry Ice Cream

Is there anything more refreshing than homemade ice cream with strawberries? Set aside lime zest to add a tangy taste to every spoonful of strawberry goodness. Don’t forget to use California’s plant-based milks for extra creaminess. 

Ingredients

1 ¾  cups Native Forest coconut milk

2 tablespoons chopped white chocolate

1 ½ cups sliced California strawberries

4 tablespoons granulated sugar

10 fluid ounces heavy cream

Juice and zest of 1 lime

For garnish

Thin lime slices

Halved California strawberries

Instructions

1. Combine the coconut milk and white chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until chocolate is melted and combined. Set aside to cool.
2. Blend the strawberries until smooth, and set aside. Beat the heavy cream until slightly stiff.
3. Add the heavy cream to the white chocolate mixture and combine. Then, add in the strawberry blend, followed by the lime juice and zest. Make sure to follow the order.
4. Pour into a freezer-friendly container and freeze for five to six hours. When in the freezer, use a fork to mix the ingredients every 30 minutes to achieve a smooth consistency.
5. Serve in a chilled cup, and garnish with strawberry halves and lime wedges.

4. Healthy Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

Nothing beats a fresh smoothie bowl in the morning. This simple strawberry recipe packs plenty of nutrients and is easily customizable. Add the toppings of your choice and taste the organic California goodness with every bite.

Ingredients

1 cup Califia Farms almond milk

2 tablespoons SunRidge Farms rolled oats

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 cup frozen strawberries, halved

1 frozen banana, sliced

3-4 pitted organic dates

Instructions

1. Pulse the oats in a blender until finely ground. 
2. Add in the milk, strawberries, dates, chia seeds, and banana, and blend until you get a smooth puree. Add extra milk if you desire a thinner consistency.
3. Pour the mixture into a bowl. Top with more oats, fruits, chia seeds, and any other topping of choice. Bon appetit. 

5. Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade

We’re already daydreaming about chilling poolside and sipping on a cool strawberry lemonade. The basil and sparkling water takes this otherwise simple recipe up a notch and makes it an awesome non-alcoholic party drink.

Ingredients

8-10 California strawberries, quartered

8 tablespoons sugar

1 cup hot water

1 cup fresh lemon juice

Handful of fresh basil

3 cups sparkling water from Castle Rock Water Company

Ice as needed

Instructions

1. Mash the strawberries and sugar together with a fork in a large pitcher. Add in the cup of hot water and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add in the cold sparkling water and lemon juice and stir together. Fill the pitcher up with ice.
3. Serve with fresh basil leaves and lemon wedges for garnish.

6. Homemade Strawberry Milk

Even those with a strong dislike for milk won’t be able to resist a cup of homemade, plant-based strawberry milk. This simple and easy strawberry recipe is a healthy take on the childhood favorite and is equally yummy warm or cold.

Ingredients

2 cups New Barn Organics almond milk

1 cup California strawberries

¼ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup water

½ teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Add the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring regularly. Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Strain the mixture into a small bowl and let it cool. 
3. While your mixture is cooling, pour the almond milk into a large jug. Once cooled, combine the mixture with the milk and whisk together. Refrigerate until chilled. 
4. Serve cold or warm, and add toppings (whipped cream, fresh strawberries, sprinkles) if desired.

7. Strawberry Summer Salad

If you haven’t tried adding strawberries to your salad yet, you’re missing out. This refreshing strawberry salad will score you a few brownie points next time you get invited to a potluck. Just between us, the secret ingredient is the strawberry preserve in the sauce.

Ingredients

8 cups of fresh baby spinach

2 cups California strawberries, sliced

½ cup Diamond of California walnuts

½ cup feta cheese

1 avocado, diced

Dressing:

2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons strawberry preserve (or use your homemade jam)

1 clove crushed garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Make sure everything is well combined.
2. Besides the feta cheese, toss all the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Top it off with crumbled pieces of feta cheese and serve.

8. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

You can’t go wrong with a simple serving of chocolate-covered strawberries. Whether you’re making this strawberry recipe to bring along on a date or eat alone (we totally get it), you’re going to have a blast. The recipe is pretty straightforward, but the key to making it extra delish is to choose high-quality chocolate.

Ingredients

12 California strawberries

2 bars of Cello Chocolate

Instructions

1. Cut the chocolate bars into small chunks and add them to a heat-proof bowl, set aside. Line a clean large plate with parchment paper.
2. Bring a few inches of water to boil in a saucepan, and lower the heat. Place the bowl of chocolate chunks over the saucepan and stir to melt. Make sure the bowl isn't touching the boiling water.
3. Once the chocolate has completely melted, remove the bowl from the heat. Dip the strawberries in ¾ of the way, and place them on the prepared plate.
4. Refrigerate the plate until the chocolate completely solidifies. Enjoy.

9. Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

What’s better than strawberry shortcake and strawberry cookies? The combination of the two, of course. Perfectly crumbly, yet gooey and warm, this easy summer dessert recipe doesn’t disappoint.

Ingredients

1 cup California strawberries, sliced

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

7 tablespoons butter

¼ cup C&H dark brown sugar

½ cup plus 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the sliced strawberries, lemon juice, and one tablespoon of sugar into a mixing bowl, and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk the butter along with the remaining sugar until you reach a soft consistency. Add in the egg and vanilla and combine well. 
5. Start gradually adding in the flour mixture and continue mixing. Once fully incorporated, it should achieve a dough-like consistency.
6. Strain the strawberries and fold them into the dough. Be careful not to smash the strawberries during this process.
7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
8. Roll about two tablespoons of dough into a ball and place on the sheet. Keep a one-inch distance between balls to avoid the cookies sticking to each other.
9. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cookies are very lightly browned. Set aside to cool and bon appetit. 

10. Simple Strawberry Cheesecake

You don’t even need to turn on your oven to make this delicious strawberry cheesecake. All you need is a few ingredients you probably already have in your fridge and 20 minutes of your time to whip up this recipe. Voila, your strawberry cake is ready.

Ingredients

3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter

3 ½ ounces dark chocolate (or one chocolate bar)

5 ounces Annie’s Honey Graham Crackers (about ⅓ of the box)

16 ounce mascarpone cheese (2 packages)

Juice and zest of 2 limes

2 tablespoons caster sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting on top

1 ⅛ cups of California strawberries, halved

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate and butter in a small pan over low heat. Add in the crushed graham crackers and combine well.
2. Press the cracker mixture into a cheesecake pan and spread it out evenly.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, zest, sugar, and mascarpone cheese. Pour the mixture over the graham cracker base. Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.
4. Place the halved strawberries over the cheesecake and sprinkle with caster sugar. Slice and serve cold.

11. Strawberry Mousse Cups

Wow your family and friends with this decadent strawberry dessert. Not only is it soft and airy, but it also requires just four ingredients. This light strawberry recipe is a definite hit.

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups California strawberries

¾ cups cold unsweetened condensed milk

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup Knudsen sour cream, plus a little extra for serving

Instructions

1. Set aside two strawberries for garnish. Divide the remaining strawberries into two distinct portions. Halve one portion of the strawberries and place them equally at the bottom of your serving cups.
2. Blend the second half of the strawberries until smooth. Strain the strawberry puree to rid it of seeds and set it aside.
3. Beat the condensed milk in a separate bowl until it doubles in size. This should take between six and eight minutes. Add in the sugar, strawberry puree, and sour cream, and mix well.
4. Divide the mixture evenly into the serving cups and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
5. Top the mousse with strawberry halves and extra sour cream. Serve cold.