As summer is in full throttle, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and currents are in season, and there are plenty of ways to use them in your everyday meals — yes, meals, not just desserts. From a filling for traditional pies to a sweet sauce for savory entrees, here are some creative ways you can cook summer berries.
(Diamond Bridges, The Daily Meal)
Mixed berry jam
Mixed berry jam | Homemade jam is, well, the jam, and a great way to use some fruit that may be overripe. Take some of your favorite berries, crush them together and cook in a saucepan until it creates a sweet jam in under an hour. For the mixed berry jam recipe, click here. (baibaz/Shutterstock)
Strawberry rhubarb cobbler
Strawberry rhubarb cobbler | Move over peach cobbler — strawberry rhubarb cobbler is here to save summer. The sweetness of the strawberries helps balance out the tart rhubarb. And while you’re stocking up on that summer specialty, try more rhubarb recipes that aren’t just pies. For the strawberry rhubarb cobbler recipe, click here. (misuma / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Polish cold cheesecake
Polish cold cheesecake | No-bake desserts are the summer savior for those days when you don’t want to turn on the oven but can’t deny your sweet tooth. This strawberry cheesecake recipe with a Nilla wafer crust and fruity Jell-O layer is the perfect thing for those hot summer days. For the Polish cold cheesecake recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Polish Your Kitchen)
Coconut berry shortcake trifle
Coconut berry shortcake trifle | This beautiful coconut berry trifle is one of the best things to bring to a summer party. Alternate layers of fluffy coconut cake, coconut cream and fresh summer berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries for a festive presentation. For the Coconut berry shortcake trifle recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Happy Money Saver)
Blueberry mug cake
Blueberry mug cake | Baking a cake takes a lot of effort, but thankfully there are mug cake recipes. The best part? This treat only takes about two minutes. You can easily swap the blueberries for raspberries, strawberries or any other summer berry. For the blueberry mug cake recipe, click here. (Anaiz777/iStock via Getty Images)
Strawberry granola bars
Strawberry granola bars | This granola recipe makes the perfect snack bar for breakfast or lunch. Create a granola mixture out of old-fashioned rolled oats and place some strawberries or other berries in between two layers of granola. Bake and let it chill in the refrigerator before serving or save it as a quick bite when you’re on the run. For the strawberry granola bars recipe, click here. (Lauren Delgado/Orlando Sentinel)
Blackberry pie
Blackberry pie | This delightful blackberry pie is summertime in a slice. It’s easy to make if you use refrigerated pie crust. Serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream on top. For the blackberry pie recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Imperial Sugar)
Fresh raspberry tart
Fresh raspberry tart | This scrumptious tart uses fresh raspberries in two ways: as a part of a sauce that accompanies a sweet cream cheese and as a garnish on top of a buttery shortbread crust. For the fresh raspberry tart recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Happy Money Saver)
Berries on a cloud cupcakes
Berries on a cloud cupcakes | Do more with your boxed cake mix by creating these pretty cupcakes. Simply bake angel food cake mix, add a crunchy sugar outer layer and pipe on mascarpone frosting. Complete the cupcakes with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries on top for a pop of color. For the berries on a cloud cupcakes recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Happy Money Saver)
Strawberry spinach salad with chicken
Strawberry spinach salad with chicken | This combo of strawberries, chicken and spinach is everything you can ask for in a summer salad. Gorgonzola crumbles and sunflower seeds add extra flavor and crunchiness. Pair with your favorite homemade vinaigrette. For the strawberry spinach salad with chicken recipe, click here. (Lauren Delgado/Orlando Sentinel)
Steak with strawberry-balsamic salsa
Steak with strawberry-balsamic salsa | Summer is the best time to grill the perfect steak, but if you want to bring more seasonality to your beef, pair it with this tangy strawberry salsa. Serve with your favorite barbecue side dishes. For the steak with strawberry-balsamic salsa recipe, click here. (Maryse Chevriere/ The Daily Meal)
Strawberry shortcakes
Strawberry shortcakes | If you love strawberries, then you’ll love this strawberry shortcake recipe. Fresh strawberries are used to make a sweet sauce that is poured over a strawberry whipped yogurt filling set in between two biscuits. For the strawberry shortcakes recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Bake from Scratch)
Strawberry hand pies
Strawberry hand pies | Forget about carrying a whole pie and extra utensils when you can make these hand pies. These portable desserts are the perfect thing to pack for a romantic picnic with your partner. For the strawberry hand pies recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Barbara Dawson)
Blueberry lemon sweet rolls
Blueberry lemon sweet rolls | These blueberry lemon sweet rolls are one of our all-time favorite brunch recipes. Start your day off on the right foot with this treat that stars a lemon filling and plenty of fresh blueberries. For the blueberry lemon sweet rolls recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Happy Money Saver)
Blueberry muffins
Blueberry muffins | Blueberry muffins are a classic childhood dessert you’ve probably forgotten. But allow this recipe to remind you of their glory, which is only amplified with fresh, in-season berries. For the blueberry muffins recipe, click here. (Courtesy of McCormick)
Gluten-free lemon blueberry cake
Strawberry banana bread
Strawberry banana bread | There are plenty of ways to make banana bread. You can take the fruity route with this strawberry banana bread recipe. This bread tastes indulgent but is low in fat because Greek yogurt takes the place of butter without compromising the moisture in the bread. For the strawberry banana bread recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Feel Good Foodie)
Frozen strawberry custard
Cool strawberry salsa
Blueberry basil hand pies
Blueberry basil hand pies | Love blueberry pie? What if we told you that you can downsize this dessert and make it into portable hand pies? This fresh summery dessert will cure any sweet tooth. For the blueberry basil hand pies recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Living the Gourmet)
Baked blueberry oatmeal
Baked blueberry oatmeal | If you’re staying on top of trends, then you probably came across a baked oatmeal recipe once or twice on TikTok. Baking your oatmeal creates a crunchy exterior and chewy inside, which is way better than soupy porridge. For the baked blueberry oatmeal recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Happy Money Saver)
Pickled strawberries
Pickled strawberries | Pickling strawberries in a mason jar with apple cider vinegar, black peppercorns, mint and serrano peppers gives the fruit a tangy, sour flavor. You can keep these in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the pickled strawberries recipe, click here. (los_angela/iStock via Getty Images Plus)
Blackberry sweet potato ice pops
Currant buns
Currant buns | These sweet, buttery yeast buns are perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Tart currants make a great replacement for raisins, but they’re only in season for a short period, so take advantage of this fruit during the early summer. For the currant buns recipe, click here. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
Red currant jelly
Red currant jelly | While we’re on the topic of currants, this tarty jelly goes great on yeast buns or toast. This recipe only requires two ingredients and can be made by boiling homemade currant juice with sugar in a pan. For the red currant jelly recipe, click here. (Courtesy of West of the Loop)
White chocolate blueberry banana bread
White chocolate blueberry banana bread | Looking for a great banana bread recipe? This recipe will become your go-to. This bread adds blueberries and white chocolate, which give extra sweetness and texture to your everyday banana bread. For the white chocolate blueberry banana bread recipe, click here. (Jacqui Wedewer/The Daily Meal)
Blueberry lemon scones
Blueberry lemon scones | Treat yourself in the morning with these buttery, dense scones that feature the ultimate pairing of sweet blueberries and zesty lemon. Pair with a cup of tea and have your mind blown. For the blueberry lemon scones recipe, click here. (Michelle McGrady/Shutterstock)
Blueberry overnight chia seed pudding
Blueberry crostata
Blueberry crostata | A buttery and tender crust surrounds a tart blueberry filling in this crostata, a special Italian tart. If you’ve never made one, add it to your ultimate summer foodie bucket list. For the blueberry crostata recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Tribune Content Agency)
