Whipped cream and strawberries sweet treat

Whipped cream with strawberries is a very simple and delicious dessert, perfect for spring and summer, when strawberries are at their peak of ripeness. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 500g of fresh strawberries
• 200ml of whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or the seeds of one vanilla bean (optional)

Preparation

1. Wash the strawberries under running water, remove the stem, and cut them in half or quarters depending on the size. If smaller pieces are preferred, chop them into pieces.
2. Place them in a bowl and sprinkle with a tablespoon of powdered sugar. Gently mix and let them macerate for about 15-20 minutes. This process will help to release the strawberry juice and make them slightly sweeter.
3. In the meantime, pour the cold cream into another bowl and start whipping it with an electric mixer or by hand. When it starts to become frothy, add the other tablespoon of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract.
4. Continue whipping until the cream is firm and forms soft peaks.
5. Distribute the macerated strawberries into dessert glasses or a large serving bowl.
6. Layer the whipped cream on top of the strawberries.
7. Garnish with a few whole strawberries or other berries if desired.

Curiosity

It’s not uncommon to find this dessert in various forms, and it’s often enriched with other ingredients such as crumbled cookies, grated chocolate, or a splash of sweet liqueur.

For a truly Italian touch, you could add chopped fresh basil leaves to contrast with the sweetness of the strawberries or incorporate some mascarpone into the whipped cream for a richer flavor and creamier texture.