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I’ve been making sugared strawberries for years—at home, in my culinary classroom, and on the blog. I know that this simple recipe is always a hit. It is sweet, juicy, and perfect for topping just about anything!
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When you are high school culinary teacher you are limited to what you can teach because 50 minutes class periods don’t allow for much.
Making these sugared strawberries always worked because we could have them in one period OR over a couple of days because they keep well.
Students loved watching the process of them going from a firm fruit to a soft and juicy sauce. They especially loved piling them high on angel food cake.
Why you should make Sugared Strawberries
- Super Easy- With only 2 ingredients and a few minutes of prep, this quick and easy recipe one that anyone can make.
- Instant Flavor- Adding a bit of sugar to fresh strawberries gives them an instant flavor boost and enhances the natural juices of the sweet fruit.
- Versatile- These sugared strawberries can be used on mini pound cake, sweet biscuits {for perfect strawberry shortcake}, pancakes {like my Fluffy Sheet Pan Pancakes}, crepes {like these pancake mix crepes!}, a waffle, strawberry cake cookies, or a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
- Perfect for tart strawberries- Have strawberries that aren’t quite perfect, no problem when you make these sugared strawberries.
What goes into this Macerated Strawberries Recipe
- Fresh Strawberries- Quarter or half strawberries depending on what you are wanting to use them for.
- Sugar- It doesn’t take much sugar to bring out the natural sweetness of the berries.
Variations
Don’t want to use strawberries? Add sprinkle sugar on fresh blueberries, raspberries, pitted cherries or blackberries instead. You’ll love this Raspberry Shortcake recipe.
How to make Sugared Strawberries
- Place sliced {or quartered} strawberries in a bowl with granulated sugar. Adjust the amount of sugar added by how sweet or tart the berries are.
- Stir the strawberries and sugar until all of the strawberries are evenly coated.
- Cover with plastic wrap and allow the strawberries and sugar to macerate {softening and sweetening strawberries with sugar} for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove from the refrigerator and use the strawberry sugar mixture on your favorite dessert with a scoop of homemade whipped cream.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh and ripe berries for best results. While this recipe can enhance the flavor of berries that aren’t perfectly ripe, starting with ripe and deep red strawberries works best.
- Slice the strawberries evenly. Uniform slices keep everything the same size which make the look better but also allows the sugar to coat them evenly.
- Don’t skip the step of letting the berries sit. Giving them 20-30 minutes to macerate and develop a syrup.
- Want more flavor? Try adding a splash of vanilla extract or lemon {or lime} zest to the strawberries.
Storage and Freezing
Store: Store the sugared strawberries in a bowl that is tightly covered with plastic wrap. They will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days but are best if used by day 2.
Freeze: While you can freeze strawberries with sugar for up to 3 months, they will keep the color and flavor better if frozen without sugar.
Recipe FAQs
Adding sugar to fresh strawberries helps to bring out the flavor and creates a wonderful sweet syrup that makes the strawberries sweeter and more soft.
If your strawberries aren’t sweet that isn’t a problem. In fact, this method of preparing strawberries is the perfect way to use them.
Absolutely! Frozen fruit can actually work quicker and be more effective. Freezing fruit breaks down the cells of fruit and allows the sugar to release more liquid.
To do so, thaw the fruit completely and then add the sugar. If it releases too much liquid, remove a bit of it before serving.
Do you love recipes with fresh strawberries? Try these…
Easy and Delicious Sugared Strawberries
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, {sliced or quartered}
- ¼-½ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine the sliced strawberries and sugar together in a medium bowl. Stir until the strawberries are coated in sugar.
- Cover the mixture in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let the mixture sit until the strawberries release their natural juices. Serve on your favorite pound cake or sweet biscuit. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sugar you depending on how sweet or tart your strawberries are.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
In my house, we love these strawberries as a pancake topping!