From the dessert notebook

Gourmet Strawberry Gelatin

Fresh strawberries, a little vanilla, and a spoonful of whipped cream. A simple homemade dessert that looks lovely served in individual glasses.

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Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time 5–7 minutes

Chill time 4 hours or overnight

Makes 6 small servings

This recipe uses fresh strawberries and unflavored gelatin, so the flavor comes from the fruit. Lemon juice balances the sweetness, while a little vanilla rounds it out.

Make the gelatin the day before you need it. When it is time to serve, add the whipped cream and a few fresh strawberry slices.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

500 g fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
300 ml water, divided
80 g granulated sugar
14 g unflavored powdered gelatin
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For serving

120 ml cold heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
A few fresh strawberries, sliced

Before you start: Have six small dessert glasses ready, with enough room in the refrigerator to keep them level.

Step by step

Instructions

Soften the gelatin Pour 100 ml of cold water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface and leave it for 5–10 minutes to soften.
Cook the strawberries Place the strawberries, granulated sugar, and remaining 200 ml of water in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes, until the strawberries soften.
Blend and strain Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully blend with an immersion blender, then pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for a smoother texture.
Combine While the strawberry mixture is still warm, stir in the softened gelatin until completely dissolved. Add the lemon juice and vanilla. Do not boil after adding the gelatin.
Pour and refrigerate Let the mixture cool slightly, then divide it between the dessert glasses. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until set.
Add the finishing touch Whip the cold cream with the powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spoon onto the gelatin and finish with sliced strawberries.

A note on sweetness: Taste the warm strawberry mixture before adding the gelatin. If the berries are tart, stir in a little extra sugar.

Serving it

Clear glasses show off the strawberry color. Add the cream just before serving, leaving a little of the gelatin visible around the edges.

Keeping it fresh