The blooming of strawberry flowers can mean only one thing: warm weather and an abundance of bright red and juicy strawberries is near. While popping a whole strawberry directly into your mouth is definitely a fun and delicious way to enjoy them, mixing fresh strawberries with cream might be the next best thing. And this fresas con crema recipe uses all the cream.
What is Fresas con Crema?
It seems that no matter where this fruit flourishes, it’s just as excitedly anticipated and used in every possible culinary manner. This traditional Mexican dessert is proof. Take a walk around the streets of Guadalajara from November through March (the height of Mexico’s strawberry season) and you’ll come across street vendors preparing fresas con crema on practically every corner.
They slice fresh strawberries and layer them with a blend of media crema (a cream similar to crème fraîche but with a thinner consistency and a noticeable earthy note), sour cream, and sweetened condensed milk, before topping (if you’re lucky) the parfait-like dessert with whipped cream and chopped nuts.
Where is Fresas con Crema From?
Some say the sweet strawberry and cream treat originates in Colombia while others are firmly on the side of its Mexican origins. Maybe because it’s reminiscent of a bionico—a Mexican fruit salad drenched in a similar cream mixture—or maybe because it’s so delectable that every country wants to take credit for its invention. After you’ve tried it, you probably won’t care where it came from as long as you know there’s another serving waiting for you.
How To Use Leftover Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Make Vietnamese egg coffee, or Thai iced coffee
- Use it in Filipino buko salad or drizzle it on fresh cut fruit
- Use it as a sweetener in smoothies
- Make kulfi, the Indian still-frozen dessert
- Drizzle it on your morning toast (it’s a thing!)
Tips for Making Fresas con Crema
- Media crema is similar to crème fraîche (which can be used in a pinch) but has a thinner consistency at room temperature and a noticeable earthy note. It’s used in Mexican cuisine in both sweet and savory recipes. It can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores grouped with other canned dairy products.
- Be sure to blend the cream and vanilla mixture until smooth to achieve a silky consistency.
- If you like your desserts less sweet, try using 1 to 2 tablespoons less sweetened condensed milk.
- Topping fresas con crema with chopped nuts is recommended as it adds a contrasting texture.
- Storing prepared fresas con crema is not recommended as the strawberries become mushy and begin to release their liquids, changing the overall consistency and flavor of the dessert. Plan on serving fresas con crema right after preparing it.
“This Mexican strawberry dessert is quick, easy, and scrumptious! The combination of sour cream, media crema, and sweetened condensed milk is genius—I will use it on my fresh blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries from now on!” —Diana Rattray
A Note From Our Recipe Tester
Ingredients
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1 pound fresh strawberries, rinsed and dried
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1/2 cup media crema
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1/2 cup sour cream
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5 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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Whipped cream, for serving, optional
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Chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pistachios, for serving, optional
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack
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Remove strawberry tops and then cut into approximately 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the media crema, sour cream, condensed milk, and vanilla until completely smooth.
The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack
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Arrange the strawberries and cream mixture in layers, like a parfait, in 6- to 8-ounce dessert cups, beginning with the strawberries and ending with the cream (approximately 3/4 cup strawberries and 1/2 cup cream mixture per serving).
The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack
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If desired, top with whipped cream and finely chopped nuts of your choice. Serve immediately.
The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack
Recipe Variation
This recipe can be made with almost any fresh fruit. Bananas, pineapple, peaches, and mango, or a mix of several fruits would all be a great choice.
Make Ahead
The cream mixture can be made up to 3 days ahead when refrigerated in an airtight container. The strawberries should be rinsed and chopped just before use for maximum freshness.
