Arkansas Strawberries with Coffee Twist Whipped Cream

I love this time of year. The air fills with the sweet scent of ripe strawberries, which farmers bring straight from the fields and sell at roadside stands. All our favorite restaurants are selling decadent desserts honoring this simple fruit, and your first bite is like taking a bite of Spring! I'm excited to share a simple dessert we enjoy at home with minimal effort.

I place bite-sized cut strawberries in a bowl and sprinkle them with sugar. While the sugar does its magic, I whip up some heavy whipping cream to which I add sugar, ground Fennel & Fire Coffee Twist, and a bit of vanilla extract. I do it by sight and taste without measuring. Whip on high until the cream becomes light and fluffy. The spice mix elevates the cream into a flavorful cloud that pairs beautifully with the fresh berries. 

Next, add a drizzle of balsamic honey over the berries. It adds a complexity. You can buy or make balsamic honey, or you can use dark chocolate or specialty vinegar. To make balsamic honey, gently heat equal parts honey and balsamic vinegar until they meld into a smooth, pourable syrup. The tanginess of the balsamic vinegar cuts through the sweetness of the honey and whipped cream, creating a harmonious balance that enhances the strawberries and spiced whipped cream. 

After the balsamic honey drizzle, I place a dollop of whipped cream on top and grind some more Coffee Twist on top. Top with a cute little strawberry just for fun!

This dessert isn’t just a treat for the taste buds; it's a celebration of Arkansas's short-lived spring bounty, fresh from the fields. The strawberries showcase the best local produce, while the innovative use of spices in the whipped cream and the complexity of the balsamic honey introduce new textures and flavors. It’s a perfect dessert to serve at the end of a family dinner, a special occasion, or even as a sweet note to a weekend brunch.

If you need a utensil-free option, serve it in a mini 4 oz bowl upside down. Place the whipped cream on the bottom and a few uncut strawberries on top. Drizzle the balsamic honey glaze and grind a twist of Coffee Twist.

We hope you enjoy this simple dessert celebrating the Arkansas Strawberry. It also works excellent with Blackberries, so when Blackberry season comes, you'll be ready!