Macerated Strawberries: 7 Ways to Use Macerated Strawberries

Maceration is the process of using liquid and sugar to draw out the natural juices and flavors of fresh fruit. It’s a common first step in many dessert recipes, like pavlova and shortcake. Use citrus juice to help soften the fruit, add flavor, and encourage the fruit’s juices to release. Other liquids, such as balsamic vinegar or liqueur, can work, too. Think of maceration as a type of marinade for the fruit.

Macerated strawberries are fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries in a mixture of liquid, sugar, and other flavorings. During maceration, the strawberries release natural juices, soften, and absorb the flavors of the macerating liquid. If you use frozen strawberries, defrost them at room temperature before macerating them. Blueberries and raspberries are other popular fresh berries to macerate.

Make a batch of macerated strawberries to use in one or more of these seven dishes:

1. 1. Angel food cake: A light and airy cake, angel food cake is sweet but relatively neutral in flavor. Spoon macerated strawberries and their liquid over the top of the cake. The macerating liquid soaks into the angel food cake while the soft fruit sits on top.
2. 2. Cheesecake: Strawberry sauce is a common topping for a classic cheesecake, but you can use macerated sweet strawberries atop a vanilla or berry swirl cheesecake to achieve a different texture.
   
3. 3. Crêpes: For a sweet brunch dish, fill crêpes with sweet cream cheese and a spoonful of macerated strawberries. Roll up the crêpes, dust them with powdered sugar, and then top them with whipped cream.
4. 4. Ice cream sundae: Scoop ice cream into a bowl and top it with hot fudge and macerated strawberries. Use chocolate ice cream for a flavor similar to chocolate-covered strawberries, or use vanilla ice cream for a flavor that’s similar to strawberries and cream.
5. 5. Pound cake: A dense and sweet cake, pound cake can benefit from a drizzle of macerating liquid and macerated berries. The macerating liquid, which contains citrus juice and sugar, adds both acidity and sweetness to the pound cake.
6. 6. Strawberry shortcake: Use a sponge cake or a biscuit for this classic summer dessert. Spoon the macerated fruit, including the liquid, on top of the strawberry shortcake base, and then top the dessert with fresh whipped cream.
7. 7. Waffles: Instead of maple syrup or strawberry sauce, use macerated strawberries on top of waffles or French toast, adding acidic sweetness to the food’s crunchy texture.