Fresh Strawberry Finish

Oct 13, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Frostings fillings toppings Vanilla: Extract Easy

Sliced strawberries tossed with a little sugar and vanilla until glossy, for the top of a cake, cheesecake or cream pie.

Prep 10 min

Cook —

Total 10 min

Servings 12

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free, Vegan

Ingredients

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servings

1.0 lb (450.0 g)fresh strawberries
2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

Rinse and dry the strawberries, hull them and slice lengthwise about 1/4 inch thick; halve small ones.
Toss with the sugar, vanilla and lemon juice in a bowl.
Let stand 10 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the slices turn glossy.
Lift the berries out of their juice and arrange them over the dessert just before serving; spoon a little of the juice over if you like.

Tips

Shingle the slices in a ring from the outside in for a bakery look.
Leave the berries whole with the hulls on for a rustic top; add them dry, without sugar.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make fresh strawberry finish?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep. The recipe makes tops one cake, 12 cupcakes or doughnuts, or a cheesecake.

How should I store fresh strawberry finish?

Best within a few hours; a finished dessert with fresh fruit keeps 1 day in the fridge.

Can I make fresh strawberry finish ahead?

Prepare the fruit up to 4 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge; add it just before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

Sliced strawberries tossed with a little sugar and vanilla until glossy, for the top of a cake, cheesecake or cream pie.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

21 Calories / serving

0.1g Fat

5.1g Carbs

0.3g Protein

4.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~252 cal · 1g fat · 61g carbs · 4g protein · 48g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.