For something so simple, balsamic strawberries with mascarpone cream is nothing short of extraordinary in terms of flavor. It is a quick dessert that is reminiscent of strawberries bathed in cream, but in this rather Italian rendition, the bathing is all dressed up and taken to sumptuous new heights. When slicked with an easy balsamic syrup, the strawberries become dramatically glossy and deeply intensified in their flavor. And in that glamorous state, they pair perfectly with the richness of gently sweetened mascarpone cheese which has been whipped into soft billowy peaks. Balsamic strawberries with mascarpone cream is truly an essential summer dessert.
Ingredients for Balsamic Strawberries with Mascarpone
- balsamic vinegar
- lemon
- sugar
- mascarpone cheese
- heavy whipping cream
- pure vanilla extract
- strawberries
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Place over medium heat, whisking until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer for a few minutes, or until reduced to about ¼ cup.
Transfer the balsamic syrup to a small bowl and cool completely.
In the meantime, hull and slice the strawberries. Place them in a medium bowl and sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Then pour over the balsamic syrup and toss to combine.
Let the strawberries stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone, whipping cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Whisk the mascarpone cream mixture until thick soft peaks appear.
Divide the strawberries and balsamic syrup among 6 coupe glasses (or your favorite dessert bowls), reserving some for garnish. Top with the mascarpone cream and garnish with a few reserved strawberry slices.
Hint: Whenever you find yourself with a big bowl of strawberries that seemed attractive enough in the store, but then turned out to be disappointingly lackluster when you got them home, this recipe is a wonderful way to rescue them. Almost like a culinary spa treatment of sorts, the balsamic syrup seems to do wonders at reviving sad strawberries.
Variations
If mascarpone cheese happens to be scarce in your grocery store, there are a few simple (and still incredibly delicious) ways to improvise here. Instead of dolloping the balsamic strawberries with mascarpone cream, the following options are also lovely...
- Vanilla ice cream - just spoon the strawberries and balsamic syrup over your favorite brand of vanilla ice cream
- Gently sweetened whipped cream - blanket the strawberries and balsamic syrup with softly whipped cream that has been gently sweetened with a bit of powdered sugar
- Burrata - slice through the shell of the burrata, revealing its lush interior, and then spoon the strawberries and balsamic syrup over each half (PS...this is hands down my favorite alternative here)
Storage
The balsamic syrup can be made a day or two ahead. Just cover and refrigerate it.
📖 Recipe
Balsamic Strawberries with Mascarpone
Equipment
- small saucepan
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 5 tablespoons sugar (divided)
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese chilled
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream chilled
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1½ pounds strawberries hulled and thickly sliced or quartered
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Place over medium heat, whisking until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer for a few minutes, or until reduced to about ¼ cup. Transfer the balsamic syrup to a small bowl and cool completely.
- In the meantime, hull and slice the strawberries. Place them in a medium bowl and sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of sugar. Then pour over the balsamic syrup and toss to combine. Let the strawberries stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone, whipping cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Whisk the mascarpone cream mixture until thick soft peaks appear.
- Divide the strawberries and balsamic syrup among 6 coupe glasses (or your favorite dessert bowls), reserving some for garnish. Top with the mascarpone cream and garnish with a few reserved strawberry slices.
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