Description
A refreshing and elegant dessert featuring fresh strawberries paired with a luscious mint-infused whipped cream. This recipe emphasizes gentle infusion of fresh mint into heavy cream, creating a fragrant and creamy topping that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of strawberries. Ideal for a light summer dessert or an impressive treat for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberries
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
Mint-Infused Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5-6 fresh mint leaves
- Optional: fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the Cream and Infuse Mint: In a small saucepan, gently warm the heavy cream with the fresh mint leaves over low heat until it is just about to simmer, taking care not to let it boil. This helps to release the mint’s flavor into the cream without curdling it.
- Steep the Mint: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mint leaves steep in the warm cream for 15-20 minutes. This resting time allows the cream to absorb the mint’s essence fully.
- Strain and Chill Cream: Strain the cream through a fine mesh sieve to remove the mint leaves, ensuring a smooth texture. Then, place the mint-infused cream in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour, which is essential for whipping.
- Whip the Cream: Once the cream is chilled, whip it in a mixing bowl along with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This creates a light and fluffy whipped cream with a refreshing mint flavor.
- Prepare the Strawberries: Arrange the hulled and halved strawberries evenly in serving bowls or on plates to serve as the base for the dessert.
- Add the Mint-Infused Whipped Cream: Spoon or pipe the whipped cream generously over the strawberries, adding both flavor and texture to the dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh mint sprigs for an attractive finish, then serve immediately to enjoy the creamy and fruity combination at its best.
Notes
- Do not boil the cream when warming it with the mint to prevent curdling and preserve a delicate flavor.
- Chilling the cream thoroughly before whipping is crucial for forming soft peaks.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best natural sweetness and texture.
- This dessert is best served immediately after assembly to maintain the cream’s lightness and freshness.
- You can adjust sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar according to taste.
