Crumbs•Dessert

Cherries and Blackberries with Vanilla Cream

August 11, 2020

Cherries and blackberries with vanilla cream

Cherries and berries and cream, oh my! Inspired by the traditional British strawberries and cream, these cherries and berries with vanilla cream are fresh yet indulgent, and just the right amount sweet. The big juicy blackberries and bright cherries are finished with a gentle sprinkling of sugar in the raw, for a twinkle or rich sweetness. This treat is an EXTREMELY simple and tempting way to liven up your serving of fruit.

Cherries and blackberries with cream poured in

It simply consists of pouring vanilla bean infused heavy cream over a big bowl of juicy blackberries and cherries, and then finishing it with a nice sprinkle of sugar in the raw.

Why cherries and blackberries?

I love the acidity AND natural sweetness that is found in both these fruits. The cream gently tones down the subtle tartness of both these fruits. They are inherently sweet which means not too much added sugar. These fruits are beautifully ripe in the summer, and bring a deep color that my camera just loves.

Cherries and blackberries with vanilla cream zoom

Count the ingredients on one hand

Cherries, preferably pitted
Blackberries
Vanilla bean
Heavy Cream
Sugar in the raw

Cherries and blackberries with vanilla cream ingredients

How to enjoy a bowl of berries with vanilla cream?

My favorite ways to enjoy berries with vanilla cream is as a dessert; a fresh alternative to a rich dessert when you’re craving something sweet. They can also be enjoyed in the morning with tea and scones, or as an afternoon indulgence. Also, if you want to stay extra traditional, eat them at a tennis match or sports event, just like at Wimbledon!

Story time: The Birth of Berries and Cream

Cardinal Thomas Wosley, a chef and powerful figure in the court of Henry VIII, paired strawberries and cream for the first time at a banquet in 1509. He needed a dessert that could feed 600 that was quick and required no cooking. This dessert was so delicious that it became quite a trend. Later, they started cross-breeding strawberries to make them juicier and plump; and ladies started planting them in their gardens. It stayed around for hundreds of years, and was served at the first Wimbledon tournament in 1877. Hugh Lowe in Kent provides the berries for Wimbledon yearly, handpicked the day of. It has since become a traditional British treat, simple and elegant.

Cherries and Blackberries with Vanilla Cream

Author: Victoria Cozen
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Plump blackberries and juicy cherries served with vanilla cream and a sprinkling of raw sugar.

Scale

Ingredients

2 cups blackberries

2 cups cherries, preferably pitted

1 cup heavy cream

1 vanilla bean

1/4 cup sugar in the raw or demerara sugar

Instructions

Wash the berries and cherries and set aside in a large bowl.
Place the heavy cream in a bowl. With a sharp knife, slice the vanilla bean down the middle to cut in half. Scrape the seeds from each half of the bean into the heavy cream.
Mix the vanilla bean into the cream by hand with a whisk. Mix only until combined, otherwise the cream will begin to thicken.
Pour heavy cream over berries.
Place plastic wrap over bowl and refrigerate until nicely chilled.
When ready to serve, divide berries and cream into four small bowls and top each with a tablespoon of sugar in the raw. Make sure each bowl gets the same amount of berries and cream.

Notes

If you prefer a sweeter dessert you can toss the berries with 1/2 cup of sugar and let sit for 5 minutes before adding the cream.
This dessert is best served very cold.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 320 calories
Sugar: 22.2 g
Sodium: 26 mg
Fat: 22.6 g
Saturated Fat: 13.8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8.8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 5.1 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 82 g

For another way to use fresh fruit, try my Sesame Honey Roasted Apples.

Comments

Anamika says
August 24, 2020 at 9:48 am
I would like to know how the name of this recipe strikes in your.. Nice recipe
Reply
- Victoria Cozen says
  August 26, 2020 at 3:59 am
  Hi Anamika, thank you for your comment. I’m not sure what you’re asking exactly, but if you wanted to know how I came up the name I was inspired by the british dish strawberries and cream. I love whipped cream with vanilla, and I wanted to use it with the best fruit I’ve had this season which are berries and cherries. Let me know if you try it, and enjoy it:) Thanks!
  Reply

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