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Strawberry Fool – A Fresh Fruit Dessert

June 15, 2020
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This is the season for amazing strawberries and here is a deliciously light yet decadent dessert. A Strawberry Fool – a fresh fruit dessert. If you haven’t had a fruit fool, you are in for a treat. This is an easy and perfect dessert to end your meal, your afternoon tea, or just to have as a refreshing treat all by itself. I love to serve this in the dessert course for my afternoon teas – its light enough and balances well with your other sweets.

By definition, a fool is an English dessert. Traditionally, fruit fool is made by folding pureed stewed fruit into sweet custard. Modern fool recipes often skip the traditional custard and use whipped cream. For the purposes of this post, we will be using whipped cream instead of a custard. Either is delicious.

Strawberry Fool Ingredients

  • Fresh Strawberries
  • Sugar
  • Whipping Cream
  • Vanilla
  • Strawberries and fresh mint for garnish

Creating the Strawberry Puree

For this recipe, I am using fresh strawberries but there are many variations to this recipe that I will touch on later in the post.

Take 2 cups of fresh strawberries and add the sugar, puree them in your food processor or blender. Then strain the puree through a mesh strainer or sieve to remove the seeds. Set this aside. You can also do this ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator or even freeze till you are going to use it.

  • Strawberries in processor
  • Puree prior to straining

Prepare the Whipped Cream

Always chill the bowl and whip that you will be using to make your whipped cream. I stick it in the freezer for a bit till its really cold. Make sure your whipping cream is cold as well.

Strawberry Fool - A fresh fruit dessert uses whipped cream with stiff peaks
Whipped Cream Stiff Peaks

Add the vanilla and whip the cream until stiff peaks. Your whipped cream should be able to stand up on its on when you lift the whip upright. Remember that you will be adding the puree to the whip cream, so the stiff peak will be relaxed just from the folding and addition.

Filling your dishes

Now that you have the puree completed and the whipped cream ready, gently fold the puree into the whipped cream without deflating the whipped cream. You can completely mix through or you can leave streaks in the whipped cream. Its up to you!

Strawberry Fool - A fresh fruit dessert folds pureed fruit into stiff whipped cream
Folding the strawberry puree into the whipped cream

Once done, place your fool into a piping bag without a tip. Or you can use a gallon size Ziploc bag as well. I please the bag in a cup to fill – helps to keep it upright and is easier to fill. If using a Ziploc bag, just snip off the end to allow you to pipe the fool into your serving dish.

  • Completed fool into bag
  • Ready to fill shooters

Pipe the Strawberry Fool into your selected dishes. I have used several different types of glasses. You will want to use a clear glass container so that you and your guests can enjoy the beauty of your Strawberry Fool. Here’s a selection…from vintage to modern, champagne flutes, berry bowls, juice glass and even a shooter glass!

Several options for serving the Strawberry Fool - a fresh fruit dessert.
Beautiful options for serving your fool

Serving your Strawberry Fool

Once your dishes are filled, you will want to refrigerate your fool until serving. I have made these early in the day, store them in the refrigerator for teas or functions that I am serving later in the day. They will stay nice and fluffy until then. This is something that you will want to do the day of you are serving them.

Strawberry Fool - a fresh fruit dessert served in shooters and ready for the refrigerator
Strawberry Fool in shooters, covered and ready for the refrigerator

Fruit Fool Variations on a Theme

Now that you have a basic recipe, step out and explore and experiment. Here are a couple ideas….Raspberries or Lemon Curd. Both delicious. The recipe changes a little bit to account for sweetness, but its pretty similar to the Strawberry Fool recipe and have been included below. You could do peaches, apricots, or blueberries – its all in your imagination. And the best privilege of the cook is that you get to taste it to make sure its delicious!

Variations on a theme – Strawberry Fool with Lemon Shortbread cookies and Lemon Curd Fool with other sweets during an afternoon tea dessert course.

So simple, so easy and yet very elegant and delicious. Enjoy a great Strawberry Fool – a fresh fruit dessert.

Fresh Strawberry Fool with berries and lemon strawberry cookies. Ready for tea service.
Ready for tea with friends….Fresh Strawberry Fool with berries and lemon shortbread cookies.
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4.91 from 10 votes

Strawberry Fool

A light yet decadent strawberry fool, using fresh strawberries and whipped cream. And easy delicious summer dessert.
Course Dessert
Cuisine English
Keyword fresh strawberry, strawberry dessert, strawberry fool
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries
  • 2-3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • fresh strawberries and mint for garnish

Instructions

  • Hull strawberries.
  • Add sugar and puree in food processor until smooth.
  • Press puree through sieve to remove seeds. Set aside.
  • Chill mixing bowl and whip.
  • Whip cream in chilled mixing bowl until stiff peaks.
  • Add vanilla.
  • Fold pureed strawberries into whipped cream mixture.
  • Pipe into serving bowls. Use a piping bag or gallon size Ziploc freezer bag (snip end of bag).
  • Store in refrigerator until serving. Top with a sliced strawberry and sprig on mint.

Notes

There are many variations for this recipe.  Here are a couple to consider:
1.   For RASPBERRY Fool – use 2 cups of raspberries in place of the strawberries, 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 cups of whipping cream.  Create the puree, strain as above.  Whip the cream, fold in the berry puree.  Pipe in serving bowls.  Top with single raspberry.
2.   For LEMON Fool – use 1-2 cups of lemon curd in place of the strawberries.  Omit the sugar and vanilla.  Whip 2 cups of cream.  Fold in the lemon curd.  Pipe in serving bowls.
NOTE:  You can completely combine the puree and cream or you can leave streaks of the fruit puree in the cream.  Either way, this provides an easy delicious dessert.  

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70 Comments

  • Barbara

    June 15, 2020 at 12:55 pm Reply

    5 stars
    Great idea. I have made something similar but I think I like yours better……and using
    lemon curd………..YUMMY! Nice and light for the summer! Ooooooo red raspberries!
    Love it.

    • Beth

      June 15, 2020 at 1:05 pm Reply

      Hi Barbara – Yes, easy and quick. Its very light and when you are serving it at a tea, its a nice balance for all the other little sweet tastes. It gives you just something sweet at the end of your meal. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.

  • Bonnie

    June 15, 2020 at 1:14 pm Reply

    This recipe looks yummy…I love lemons too so I might try the Lemon Fool variation. Thanks for posting and I can’t wait to try them.

    • Beth

      June 15, 2020 at 1:17 pm Reply

      Hi Bonnie – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, please try them and let me know if you come up with other variations. Your Lemon fool can be made with homemade lemon curd or store bought. Just taste before sweetening – the store bought is much sweeter generally than homemade. But enjoy – I find them light and just enough to take care of that sweet tooth. Thanks for your comment.

    • Beth

      June 15, 2020 at 7:18 pm Reply

      Hi Alyssa – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your comment and hope you get a chance to try it out. Its light and decadent at the same time. Enjoy!

  • Tricia Snow

    June 15, 2020 at 4:55 pm Reply

    5 stars
    This looks so amazing! Strawberries and whipped cream are a staple for deserts in my home during the summer. Thank you for a new idea to add to my list!

    • Beth

      June 15, 2020 at 7:22 pm Reply

      Hi Charlene – Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes – strawberries work perfect of this. So do raspberries.

    • Beth

      June 15, 2020 at 7:23 pm Reply

      Hi Kate – I bet the strawberries are amazing. That’s what made me think of this recipe. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment. Enjoy those strawberries!

    • Beth

      June 15, 2020 at 7:25 pm Reply

      Hi Jennifer – Glad that you enjoyed the post and hope that your husband is able to make this for you. Its very easy and delicious. Thanks for your comment and to your husband for making the recipe! Enjoy.

    • Beth

      June 16, 2020 at 12:24 am Reply

      Hi Sydney – No temptation – go ahead and do that. A great idea. When I have afternoon teas, I frequently find that my guests will make sure to combine the cream and the curd to enjoy. With a little strawberry in there, you would have a great dessert. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.

  • Suz

    June 15, 2020 at 10:16 pm Reply

    How gorgeous! And perfect timing; just picked about 1,000 strawberries this weekend.
    I noticed that one of your photo links is missing…the first one under “Fruit Fool Variations on a Theme”. Thought you’d want to know.
    I have a pot of tea every morning, but don’t have all the nice pastries and goodies to go along with it.

    • Beth

      June 16, 2020 at 12:21 am Reply

      Hi Suz – Thank you so much for your comment. I did fix the link to the Fruit Fool Variations. Thank you so much for letting me know. Well, it sounds like perfect timing for your strawberries and I bet they are amazing. Yes, I love a pot of tea in the morning….and don’t always have a scone, but either way – still enjoy the pot of tea. Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks.

  • Sara

    June 16, 2020 at 12:22 am Reply

    This looks like the perfect refreshing summer dessert. I like that you talked about some variations. I love all things lemon.

    • Beth

      June 16, 2020 at 12:28 am Reply

      Hi Sara – I love lemons as well and the Lemon Curd Fool is one of my favorites. Tons of variations – you can just let your imagination go wild for sure. Enjoy. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.

    • Beth

      June 16, 2020 at 2:39 am Reply

      Hi Lora – With your strawberries coming on, it would be the perfect time to try it. Its easy and yet delicious. Glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.

  • Annette

    June 16, 2020 at 5:38 pm Reply

    This sounds like a cool, refreshing summer treat! I love strawberries and this sweet treat will be perfect to a hot summer day. Do you ever mix the fool? Perhaps make a strawberry one and a blueberry one, then alternate them in a container for the July 4th celebration? I wonder how that would work.

    • Beth

      June 16, 2020 at 6:01 pm Reply

      Hi Annette – So glad that you enjoyed the post. You absolutely could mix the fool for sure. I had another person suggest Lemon Curd with Strawberry – that would be amazing as well. In either case, I would do a ribbon effect and not completely mix through so you could see the colors for 4th of July. How fun. Now you have me thinking about having a 4th of July Tea! Thanks so much for your comment.

    • Beth

      June 16, 2020 at 8:59 pm Reply

      Hi Roselyn – So glad that you enjoyed the post and that it looked yummy. It is and so are the variations. Thanks for your comment and enjoy!

    • Beth

      June 17, 2020 at 1:49 am Reply

      Hi Cindy – Yes, I love strawberries as well. And very adaptable. So glad that you enjoyed the post. Explore and enjoy your variations. Thanks for the comment.

    • Beth

      June 17, 2020 at 12:38 pm Reply

      Hi Jaci – Glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, I have been using fruit fools for afternoon tea or desserts for a few years. But as you can see I am using an easy method with whipped cream. Hope you can enjoy some time – thanks for your comment.

  • Erica Pittenger

    June 17, 2020 at 12:44 pm Reply

    I love your sense of elegance in your pictures. You make everything look beautiful! We recently went to the strawberry patch and picked 9 lbs of strawberries! I will definitely be making this recipe!

    • Beth

      June 17, 2020 at 4:22 pm Reply

      Hi Erica – Thank you so much for your comment. I like to and try to make people feel a bit pampered when they go through my posts. I appreciate your feedback. Yes, fresh strawberries from the patch will burst with flavor for this recipe. Please do try it and let me know. Thanks again.

  • Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life

    June 17, 2020 at 5:12 pm Reply

    What an interesting name for such a refreshing & delicious looking recipe. And so easy too!

    • Beth

      June 17, 2020 at 6:58 pm Reply

      Hi Suzan – Yes, this is a very old concept – like as old as 1500’s with the start of trifles and the first documentation of a foole. But its easy and delicious and just enough decadence that you feel indulged but not over the top. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.

    • Beth

      June 17, 2020 at 7:42 pm Reply

      Hi Misty – Well that instantly brought a smile to my face. Hope you are able to do that. Are you in person or virtual? Either way, a sweet time and this recipe is easy and yet gives you that taste of something special. Enjoy and thanks for your comment. Glad that you enjoyed the post.

    • Beth

      June 18, 2020 at 8:10 pm Reply

      Hi Kendra – well I hope that this works out well for you. Actually had the suggestion to use both strawberry and lemon curd as swirls in the whipped cream. Now that would be complete decadence. So glad that you enjoyed the post and found this to be a great gluten free recipe. Thanks for your comment and enjoy!

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