If you have 20 minutes and a hankering for a light but sweet, no-bake dessert, we’ve got you covered! This Strawberries and Cream recipe is a delightfully simple way to enjoy dessert.
Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!
Recipe Origins
When researching recipes for Ghana, I came across the mention of Strawberry Fool a few times. According to a few different blog posts, Strawberries and Cream (also called Strawberry Fool) is a popular dessert recipe in Ghana.
After posting the recipe on TikTok and requesting the help from Ghanaians from around the world, my suspicions were confirmed…. Strawberry Fool is NOT a Ghanaian dessert (strawberries don’t grow in Ghana!).
It is, however, delightful, and I’m glad that my research brought it to my attention. Sounds like we’ll have to stick with Oto to really enjyo a taste of Ghana.
What is Strawberry Fool?
In this recipe, the strawberries are covered with sugar until they release those delicious juices.
Then, whipped cream is made by combining port wine, heavy whipping cream and sugar together. Fold the strawberries together, add some red food coloring, and you’re done!
This recipe was fun and simple to make and I can’t wait for you to try it out!
Why Make this Recipe
- Simple Dessert: You only need 6 ingredients and 5 minutes of active work (20 minutes if you’re counting the waiting) to start and finish this dessert!
- Light: One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s not laden with sugar, making you feel like every bite is going to give you a sugar high. Instead, it’s lightly sweet, enough to curb the sugar craving but not so much that it’s overbearing!
- No Bake: Sometimes it’s just too hot and humid to go through the hassle of turning in your oven and baking dessert. When you want a cold and refreshing treat, this is the recipe to make!
What Do I Need to Make this Recipe?
Ingredients
- Wine: Port wine is typically used in this recipe, but if you don’t have port wine, you can also use marsala wine, and it will work perfectly.
- Cream: Use heavy whipping cream.
- Food Coloring: The food coloring is optional, but makes the cream a beautiful pink color. I use red but you can also use pink, any other color, or omit.
Tools
- Small Bowl
- Large Bowl
- Electric Hand Mixer/Stand Mixer with Whisk Attachment
- Rubber Spatula
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Sugar the Strawberries
In a small bowl, sprinkle the granulated sugar over the chopped strawberries and stir. Allow the strawberries to sit for 10 minutes until they begin to release juices.
Step 2: Make the Whipped Cream
In a large bowl, combine port, heavy whipping cream, and confectioners sugar. Beat with an electric hand mixer until stiff (about 5-6 minutes). You can also use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment if preferred.
Step 3: Combine and Enjoy
Fold the strawberries into the whipped cream.
Garnish the top with a full strawberry or more chopped strawberries. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Feel free to add vanilla or any other flavoring extract to this recipe if you’d like
- Add lemon juice for another splash of freshness
- I’ve seen some recipes that call for strawberry or raspberry liqueur instead of port/marsala wine. This is also a perfect substitution if you’d prefer
Recipe FAQs
What Other Fruits Can I Add to this Recipe?
You can also fold other fruits into the cream for a more ambrosia-like dessert. Some great options are:
- Pineapple
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Anything else you can think of
How Can I Make this Dessert More Fancy?
If you’d like to fancy up this dessert, I have a few suggestions!
Instead of mixing the strawberries into the cream, you can reserve them on the side and make a layered parfait!
In this case, I would serve the Strawberries and Cream in layers of cream, strawberries, and crumbled cookies (a shortbread cookie or something similar).
You can also serve this recipe in parfait glasses so that your guests can see each of the layers.
How Long Will Leftovers Stay Good?
Homemade whipped cream is a little tricky to work with, so I’d recommend finishing the leftovers as soon as possible! They can probably stay good for a day in the fridge.
Instead of planning on storing leftovers, only make enough whipped cream that you expect to eat that day and reserve the rest of the strawberries. Then, the next day when you want more, quickly whip up a bit more whipped cream, fold the strawberries in, and enjoy!
Did you enjoy this Strawberries and Cream Recipe? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
- Strawberry Tiramisu
- Strawberry Bread
- Kissel with Strawberries from Belarus
- Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Strawberries and Cream
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl(s)
- Stand Mixer
- Rubber Spatula
- Wine Opener
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup strawberries, chopped
- 2 tbsp port wine, can sub marsala wine or any sweet red wine
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp confectioners sugar , powdered sugar
- 1-2 drops red food coloring, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 tbsp granulated sugar over 1 cup chopped strawberries and stir. Allow the strawberries to sit for 10 minutes until they begin to release juices.
- In a large bowl, combine 2 tbsp port wine, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, and 3 tbsp confectioners sugar. Beat with an electric hand mixer until stiff (about 5-6 minutes). You can also use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment if preferred.
- Fold the strawberries into the whipped cream.
- Add 1-2 drops red food coloring and fold the food coloring into the cream until it reaches the desired color.
- Garnish the top with a full strawberry or more chopped strawberries. Enjoy!
Notes
- Wine: Port wine is typically used in this recipe, but if you don’t have port wine, you can also use marsala wine, and it will work perfectly.
- Cream: Use heavy whipping cream.
- Food Coloring: The food coloring is optional, but makes the cream a beautiful pink color. I use red but you can also use pink, any other color, or omit.
- Feel free to add vanilla or any other flavoring extract to this recipe if you’d like
- Add lemon juice for another splash of freshness
- I’ve seen some recipes that call for strawberry or raspberry liqueur instead of port/marsala wine. This is also a perfect substitution if you’d prefer.
Kate Daneluk says
I’m intrigued about this not being a popular recipe from Ghana. When researching Ghanaian desserts, I saw the comments from Ghanaians on your original video. I have seen several sites and articles that claim it is popular in Ghana. I have found videos of strawberry farms in Ghana and other videos showing strawberries costing $8 a package because they are imported. This is so confusing. It doesn’t make a ton of sense regionally that it would be popular but it could easily be a lingering influence from the colonial period. I guess the big question is, if this isn’t Ghanaian, WHY would this false claim of strawberry fool be spread across the internet? Perhaps it is enjoyed in a specific region, city, or restaurant?
Alexandria Drzazgowski says
Hi Kate, I have a feeling one website article posted it a long time ago and it has become a game of telephone since then. When I was researching, I could only find other bloggers posting about it that WEREN’T from the country, which is why I was not trusting of the information. It was helpful that I reached out to other Ghanaians and then found out it was not a legitimate recipe from the country!