If you have a sweet tooth, the good news is that fruit is nature’s greatest dessert. Not only is fruit tasty and nutritious, but it’s also incredibly versatile. It can be enjoyed with a side of cream, custard, or ice cream, baked into a pie or a tart…or simply eaten by itself.
More good news is that with the arrival of spring comes the imminent appearance of delicious spring fruits, like rhubarb, apricots, strawberries, cherries, blackcurrant, and gooseberries – and that’s without mentioning all the delicious exotic fruit you can enjoy.
So, without further ado, here are 11 fruity dessert recipes to get you inspired.
1. Peach galette
If you’re a fan of peaches and pastry, then a peach galette will be right up your street. Galettes are essentially just free-form tarts or pastries – and when you pair flaky pastry with ripe, roasted peaches that are subtly spiced and sugared, you get an absolute dream of a dessert.
This peachy pudding is ideal for people who are new to making pastry, as unlike pies or tarts, there’s no fiddly crimping or latticing. You just fold the edges of the pastry over the fruit.
Galettes are also good ways of showcasing seasonal fruit, and even though they’re simple to make and can even look a little rough, there’s something beautiful about their rustic aesthetic.
You can arrange the peaches on the dough as symmetrically or unceremoniously as you like. Similarly, whether you want to peel your peaches or leave the skins on is up to you. Nectarines, plums, cherries, and blueberries all work really well in galettes, too, so feel free to add your own twist to this delicious dessert!
To make an easy peach galette, try this recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen.
2. Rhubarb trifle
Rhubarb and custard is one of the most iconic British desserts – and if you like this sumptuous sweet treat, you’ll surely love this next recipe.
Rhubarb trifle is a more sophisticated version of this classic dessert, and the piled-up layers of hot pink rhubarb, yellow custard, golden sponge and white cream are as much a treat for the eyes as the mouth.
Technically, rhubarb is a vegetable, but most of us think of it as a fruit, and its sharp flavour goes beautifully with sweet, creamy custard and lashings of whipped cream. It’s an indulgent dessert, but you’ll still get the benefits of the rhubarb, which is a great source of vitamin K1.
There are many variations of rhubarb trifle and some are fancier than others. However, we love Nigella’s version, where the rhubarb and sponge are spiked with vermouth, the custard is subtly flavoured with vanilla, and the chopped pistachios on top add a vibrant splash of green.
To make a rhubarb trifle, try this recipe from Nigella.
3. Rum-glazed grilled pineapple
As spring arrives and the weather heats up, many of us will be looking to get our barbecues out as soon as possible – or at the very least, a griddle pan. One of the simplest fruity desserts is griddled rum-glazed pineapple: hot, griddled pineapple, which has smoky notes among the sticky sweetness.
While raw pineapple is also delicious, it can cause a prickly, burning sensation in the mouth and alter your taste buds for hours. However, in this dessert, the pineapple is griddled until it’s golden and caramelised, so it’s much easier on your mouth and much tastier too!
There are many different ways to marinate your pineapple, though brown sugar, coconut, cinnamon and lime are all popular. For a slightly boozy dessert, you can soak your slices in some rum, and bring the flavours of the Caribbean to your own home.
Why not try this rum-glazed pineapple recipe from BBC Good Food, which is served with a zesty lime crème fraîche?
4. Raspberry and pistachio semifreddo
If you prefer ice cream-style desserts to trifle, this next recipe may be for you…
Semifreddo isn’t really ice cream; it’s basically a frozen mousse that’s lighter in texture than ice cream, and lower in fat, but because it’s thoroughly churned, it’s just as luxurious. If you’re watching your calorie intake, it’s a great alternative to ice cream.
Even though this raspberry and pistachio semifreddo looks seriously impressive, it’s much simpler to make than you might think. You don’t need a fancy ice cream maker, just a normal whisk to whip up your eggs, sugar, and cream, and create that lovely lighter-than-air texture.
You can use any type of fruit and nut in your semifreddo, but the contrast between the vivid green of pistachios and the deep magenta hue of raspberry is especially beautiful. Unlike ice cream, it doesn’t need softening before serving – you can just bring it straight from the freezer to the table, and impress your guests by cutting slices in front of them.
To make raspberry and pistachio semifreddo, try this simple five-ingredient recipe from Jamie Oliver.
5. Mixed berry cobbler
If crumble is a quintessentially British dessert, then a cobbler is its all-American equivalent.
Cobblers are like a cross between a crumble and a pie, except they’re far easier and less fiddly than making a pie from scratch. The dough has a soft, cake-like texture and a golden, crisp crust, and it perfectly soaks up the sweet, sharp juices of the berries.
Another perk of the cobbler is its versatility; not only does it go beautifully with all kinds of berries, from blackberries to strawberries to blueberries, but it also pairs with peaches, apples, and pears, so the variations are endless! We’ve gone for a classic mixed berry cobbler here – and you can even use frozen berries if you don’t have fresh ones.
To make the dough, you just need flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, and buttermilk, and once you’ve mixed them all together, you’ll get a lovely biscuity crumble. Flatten parts of the dough over your sweetened or spiked berries, top with coarse sugar, and then bake. It’s deceptively simple, yet undeniably delicious.
To make mixed berry cobbler, try this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
6. Spiced apple fritters
Apples are in season throughout the year in the UK, and if you have some that need using up or you’re just looking for a delicious, economical, and easy dessert to make – then why not knock up some spiced apple fritters? Warm, crisp, and sweet, apple fritters are incredibly moreish…you’ve been warned!
You can use any firm apples to make this, from Braeburn to Honeycrisp to Pink Lady. However, Granny Smith is the most popular choice, as their sharp flavour contrasts beautifully with the cinnamon sugar. Plus, because they’re firmer, they hold up once cooked, giving you a satisfyingly crisp bite.
There are many apple fritter recipes, but we love The Guardian’s, as it’s a little healthier. The apple sauce contains extra pectin, so you can cut down on the sugar. Or, you can keep things simple and omit the apple sauce altogether; tender apples, coated in a light, crisp batter and then dusted in cinnamon sugar, is enough of a treat in itself!
To make spiced apple fritters, try this recipe from The Guardian.
7. Lemon tart
If you’re a fan of citrusy desserts, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with lemon tart. This French dessert – known as tarte au citron in its motherland – is found in just about every Parisian patisserie, but it’s a popular choice in French-style bistros and fine dining restaurants in the UK.
Sweet yet sour, refreshing yet creamy, and light yet custardy, this tart is incredibly elegant – and that’s without mentioning the brilliant yellow colour. The trick to perfect lemon tart is the lemon curd filling, which should be just the right amount of sour, and so smooth it melts in your mouth.
The curd is easy to make: it just needs eggs, sugar, butter, and fresh lemon. If you don’t fancy making your own pastry, shop-bought shortcrust pastry works. You could even just buy a pastry case if you’re pushed for time! Adding slices of fresh lemon, raspberries, and mint leaves to the top of the tart is a great way to make it look even more special.
To make authentic French lemon tart, try this recipe from RecipeTin Eats.
8. Chocolate-covered strawberries
There are few people in the world who don’t like strawberries…and there are probably even fewer people who don’t like chocolate! So why not pair these two heavenly ingredients and make one of the simplest yet most decadent and sophisticated desserts: chocolate-covered strawberries?
If you’re looking to impress but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen or you’re trying to be healthy, then chocolate-covered strawberries are a great choice. Not only is there far less sugar involved than other chocolate-based desserts, but strawberries are some of the healthiest fruits around and are packed with antioxidants.
Making chocolate-covered strawberries couldn’t be easier. Just melt your chocolate (either in a microwave or in a double boiler), then dip your strawberries in, and refrigerate until set. Remember to make sure your strawberries are perfectly dry before dipping, or the chocolate won’t set!
To make some super fancy-looking chocolate-covered strawberries, in milk, dark, and white chocolate, check out this recipe by Sugar Geek Show.
9. Banoffee pie
Many of us went through a banana bread phase back in 2020 and while it’s delicious, and a wonderful way to use up old bananas, it’s not really a dessert. Then there’s pan-fried banana, which, when served with ice cream, is a simple yet mouthwatering dessert. But if you’re looking to take things up a notch, banoffee pie is a wise choice.
With layers of fresh banana, sweet caramel, and whipped cream on top of a buttery biscuit base, banoffee pie is an absolute classic, and it’s really easy to make. It just requires a bit of melting and can be knocked up at short notice. It takes 10 mins to prep and 10 mins to cook, plus chilling time.
To make banoffee pie, you need condensed milk – and the UK’s most popular brand, Carnation, has an excellent recipe for banoffee pie. For extra fibre and vitamins, why not add more bananas to the top? If you’re vegan, Carnation sells plant-based condensed milk, and Biscoff biscuits make a great base, so this is a dessert everyone can enjoy!
To make classic banoffee pie, try this recipe by Carnation.
10. Cherry pie
Another gorgeous American-inspired dessert is cherry pie. And, if you enjoy working with pastry, this is a dessert you’ll go on making again and again…because it’s that delicious!
When cherries aren’t in season, you can use frozen cherries, and a touch of almond and vanilla really helps their delicate flavour shine.
Homemade pastry takes time, but for this recipe, it’s absolutely worth it, as your pastry will be golden brown, buttery, and flaky. You can, of course, buy your pastry, but this is definitely a dessert where making it from scratch makes a difference. Plus, you can have fun latticing the top!
You can use any type of cherries you like. Traditionally, sour cherries like morello are used in cherry pie, although these are hard to find fresh. Sweet, fresh cherries work just as well – and mean you need to use less sugar – and vanilla, almond, and lemon add richness, freshness, and depth. Serve hot or cold – preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
To make a cherry pie, try this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
11. Raspberry sorbet
Raspberry sorbet is a refreshing frozen dessert that’s sweet, yet tangy. It’s made primarily from raspberries, sugar, and water – and is a light option for those who enjoy a fruity dessert that’s not too heavy. It’s also a popular dessert choice for those who are looking for a dairy-free or vegan alternative to ice cream.
In addition to its delicious taste and refreshing texture, raspberry sorbet is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Raspberries are known for their high levels of these beneficial compounds, which may help to protect against oxidative damage and support a healthy immune system.
To make raspberry sorbet, make a simple sugar syrup using sugar and water, then add fresh raspberries and lemon juice to a blender and blitz until smooth. Strain the raspberry mixture through a sieve, discard the seeds, and combine with the sugar syrup. Then freeze until firm enough to serve.
For more guidance, try this recipe by BBC Good Food.
Final thoughts…
From cool concoctions, like rhubarb trifle and raspberry and pistachio semifreddo, to desserts that are best served piping hot, like rum-glazed pineapple or spiced apple fritters, there’s a fruity dessert for every craving and every season.
And then there are the classic pastry-themed fruity desserts, like peach galette, mixed berry cobbler, and cherry pie, that are just as perfect for enjoying at picnics as they are served at the end of a dinner party.
While most of these recipes feature eggs, milk, or cream, if you’re vegan or allergic to dairy or eggs, you don’t have to miss out. Milk and cream can easily be swapped for plant-based alternatives, and there are plenty of great vegan egg substitutes too. To find out more, have a read of our article; Dairy alternatives: tips for replacing milk and butter.
Naturally sweet, full of flavour, and packed with vitamins, fruit is the perfect dessert – and if you’re going to treat yourself to something sweet, one of the recipes above is an excellent choice!