Incredible Berry Recipes Everyone Will Love!
These delicious berry recipes make the best of spring + summer abundance. From sweet desserts to savory salads and a few drinks too, you’ll want to try all of these berry good ideas!
Since berries are most delicious soon after harvest, you’ll want to look for California or U.S. origin labeling, so you know you’re getting the freshest fruit. If you’re storing your berries, our friend Jerry James Stone tested 17 methods of berry storage to give you the best advice about storing and freezing for future berry recipes too!
Strawberry Fields Forever (in California, anyway.)
You may think of strawberries as a summer fruit, but that’s not quite right! While peak season is April through August, strawberries grow year-round throughout California. In fact, the Golden State is home to about 90% of the nation’s crop. In winter, strawberries ship from Southern California, then as temperatures increase, production moves north.
Raspberry fan? That’s also us.
California leads the nation in raspberry production.
Fun Fact: Unlike many other fruits, raspberries don’t continue to ripen after being picked – so enjoy them as soon as you can after purchase.
We’ve got blueberries and blackberries and special berries too.
In addition to strawberries and raspberries, California is home to a rapidly-growing blueberry industry and blackberries too. Did you know that the Golden State also produces favorites from the blackberry family: olallieberries, boysenberries, and loganberries? It’s true and so delicious!
In fact, many people travel to the Knott’s Berry Farm in Orange County, CA to enjoy the Boysenberry Festival throughout March + April each year. And California’s central coast is the unofficial capital of everything olallieberry.
Now, let’s get into the best berry recipes on the internet – you’re about to be a berry cooking expert!
Sweet Berry Recipes: Desserts + Treats
Berry Mascarpone Tarts with Almond Shortbread Crust
These cute tarts from Baking the Goods have a light & creamy, lemony mascarpone filling in a crumbly almond shortbread cookie crust with bursting fresh berries & herbs. It’s one of our favorite berry recipes because it works with any mix of berries!
Avocado Coconut Strawberry Semifreddo
Here in the Golden State, summer corresponds to the height of avocado and berry seasons. We use both as often as possible at their peak!
The traditional frozen Italian semifreddo gets a decidedly California twist from our friends at Salt & Wind thanks to the combination of avocado, lime, and strawberries! This Avocado Coconut Strawberry Semifreddo recipe will for sure become one of your favorite desserts!
Mixed Berry Trifles with Butter Cake
Mixed Berry Trifles with Butter Cake from Britney Breaks Bread is a refreshing dessert, layered with fresh berries, butter cake, and whipped cream!
California-Grown Strawberry Eton Mess
The classic British Eton Mess meets the sun-kissed California strawberry! Creating a mouthwatering California-grown Strawberry Eton Mess at home is easy and delicious. It’s a berry recipe idea guests will requests!
Blueberry Coffee Cake: Your New Favorite Morning Indulgence
There’s something truly magical about a delicious blueberry coffee cake. The blend of sweet and tangy flavors paired with a moist, tender crumb is simply irresistible. Our step-by-step Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe is your key to creating the ultimate indulgence for special occasions. It’s even perfect for baking ahead to ensure lazy weekend mornings.
Mixed Berry Pavlova With Lemon Curd and Mascarpone Whipped Cream
This classic dessert from Salt & Wind consists of just two ingredients: fruit and meringue layered together. The light-as-can-be lemon curd, berry sauce, and mascarpone whipped cream make it next level.
Fresh Blueberry Pie Bars
Chock full of fresh, abundant California blueberries and a crust that is to die for, these Fresh Blueberry Pie Bars are sure to be a hit!
Raspberry Mascarpone Tart with Pistachio Crust
This beautiful gluten-free raspberry tart from G-Free Foodie features a toasted pistachio crust, a creamy mascarpone layer, and gorgeous glazed berries. It’s the perfect treat! Not only is it delicious, it’s also pretty enough to impress guests.
Raspberry Granita Parfaits
This 5-ingredient frozen treat from This Mess is Ours is delicious to eat and simple to make.
Blueberry Curd Mini Tarts
Creamy blueberry curd contrasts beautifully with a crunchy, nutty crust. Don’t sleep on these gorgeous Blueberry Curd Mini Tarts from A Girl Defloured.
Black & Blueberry Cobbler
This cobbler from This Mess is Ours is bursting with juicy berries and is loaded with an extra thick layer of cobbler crust on top which makes this literally THE BEST cobbler ever!
Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts
Bakes by Brown Sugar‘s Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts are full of strawberry rhubarb curd, a delicious combination of sweet and tart that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon tart shell.
If you’re a fan of rhubarb + berry recipes, check out this list of the best rhubarb recipes too!
No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
Looking for a stunner of no-bake berry recipes that will steal hearts? Whip up this easy No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake from Beyond Sweet and Savory.
Savory Berry Recipes: Berry Good Main Dishes + Sides
Strawberry Cobb Salad
The Golden State has inspired all sorts of delicious food trends over the years, but the Cobb Salad is one that has reached Super Star status. Our latest version of the classic Cobb is this Strawberry Salad with Chicken. We think it’s delicious enough to become a California icon on its own!
Mexican Fruit Salad
This Mexican-style fruit Salad from ¡HOLA! JALAPEÑO is full of California grown goodness with a slightly spicy dressing everyone will love.
Sheet Pan Chicken Legs With Blueberry Zinfandel BBQ Sauce
This sheet pan dinner from A Girl Defloured is a delicious, one-pan meal that feeds a crowd.
Have leftover sauce? Serve it on anything grilled including ribs or fish, or use it as a dipping sauce!
Strawberry Avocado Salsa
This Strawberry Avocado Salsa from The Delicious Life is perfect with tortilla chips as a snack or an appetizer and is equally amazing served with seared salmon.
Blueberry Brie Walnut Toast
Fresh blueberries take center stage in this hearty and satisfying berry recipe by Baking the Goods. Thick slabs of toasted sourdough are topped with brie and baked until the cheese is warm and gooey. A mini mountain of blueberries and toasted walnuts crown the bubbly brie. Then, the whole thing is drizzled with a kiss of sweet honey and herby thyme tendrils for a fancy finish.
Red White and Blue Charcuterie Board
This recipe (complete with shopping list!) for a Red, White + Blue Cheese Board from The Delicious Life is like the king of savory berry recipes, using all the California favorites and acting as a centerpiece all in one.
Blueberry Arugula Salad with Wild Rice and Corn
This springtime salad from the California Blueberry Commission is loaded with California goodness including fresh blueberries, corn, and arugula. Topped with earthy wild or red rice, salty Parmesan cheese, and a sweet-tart dressing, this is a salad you’ll want to serve all season long.
Strawberry Blueberry Grilled Cheese
Think this classic can’t take an update? Think again! Jerry James Stone shares his deliciously patriotic version of a grilled cheese that’s sure to please. It’s one of our new favorite berry recipes for certain!
Berry Crostini with Lemon Ricotta
The best appetizers all check the same three boxes: easy, healthy, and delicious. Our Berry Crostini recipe definitely fits the bill.
Try this Black + Blue Ricotta Grilled Toast too!
And, A Few Berry Recipes For Drinks Too!
Simple Berry Cocktail Recipe Made with Jam
Are you ready to indulge in a cocktail that perfectly balances sweet, tart, and bubbly? Then you have to try our California-Grown Sparkling Blueberry Cocktail! This delightful concoction features homemade blueberry jam and California sparkling wine for an effervescent berry-laced cocktail that’s almost too easy to sip.
Easy Single-Serving Sangria
This refreshing single-serve wine-based cocktail from G-Free Foodie is super easy – make it right in the glass you plan to serve it in!
Get yourself some snacks, a bottle opener, a glass, and some ice for a party for one.
Love sangria? here’s a few more berry recipes to try: Apple and Berry Rosé Sangria, Golden State Sangria + Easy White Wine Sangria.
Olallieberry Thyme Vodka Lemonade
Hello Ivy & Eve‘s sweet, fruity vodka lemonade is made even more appealing because of its beautiful color. Omit the vodka and add sparkling water for a kid-friendly spritzer!
Strawberry Pimm’s Cup Granita
This slushy, frozen blend of Pimm’s No. 1, fresh strawberries, cucumbers, mint, lemonade and ginger ale by Baking the Goods is the end-all-be-all of refreshing summer sippers.
Farmer’s Daughter Strawberry Basil Cocktail
Full of fresh strawberries and basil, this Farmer’s Daughter Strawberry Basil Cocktail from G-Free Foodie is a favorite! Mix up a big batch or make them one at a time.
Fresh Berry Moscato Mules
This tasty Californian take on the Moscato Mule from Discover California Wines is loaded with berry goodness. You can choose any berries you like. If you’re hosting a get-together, muddle a big bowl of berries in advance and stow them in the fridge for up to 1 day. Since Muscat wine varies in sweetness, the wine you choose will dictate how sweet the mules are.
Strawberry Lemon Smash Wine Cocktail
This summer-inspired sip featured on This Mess is Ours is the perfect ratio of tart and sweet. It pairs freshly squeezed lemon juice and luscious berries for a fun adult-inspired take on lemonade. This berry cocktail is topped off with California sparkling wine to give it that irresistible fizz factor!
Blueberry Bourbon Sour
This gorgeous take on the whisky sour cocktail from the California Blueberry Commission will spice up your next happy hour! Infused with a California blueberry syrup spiked with lemon and cinnamon, it’s the perfect marriage of flavors.