Description
Juicy macerated strawberries, softly whipped vanilla cream, and crisp toasted croissant shards come together in an elegant summer dessert. It is rich, fruity, buttery, and ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
500 g strawberries, halved or quartered
50 g caster sugar
4 croissants
400 mL double cream
2 tablespoons icing sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Place the strawberries in a large bowl, sprinkle with the caster sugar, and stir gently until evenly coated. Set aside to macerate while preparing the remaining ingredients.
- Preheat a barbecue with a hot zone and a cooler zone, or heat a grill pan over medium heat. Gently flatten each croissant with a rolling pin.
- Place the flattened croissants on the cooler part of the barbecue or on the grill pan. Toast on both sides until crisp, golden, and lightly charred around the edges.
- Remove the croissants from the heat and allow them to cool slightly, then break them into large rustic shards.
- Pour the double cream into a chilled mixing bowl. Add the icing sugar and vanilla bean paste, then whip until soft peaks form.
- Arrange generous spoonfuls of vanilla cream with the macerated strawberries and their juices. Tuck the toasted croissant shards between the layers.
- Serve immediately after assembling so the croissant shards remain crisp.
Notes
Add finely grated lemon or orange zest to the strawberries for a citrus variation.
Replace some of the strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries if desired.
Top with toasted flaked almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, or grated dark chocolate for extra texture.
Vanilla bean paste can be replaced with a small amount of almond extract or finely grated lemon zest.
Toasted brioche can be used instead of croissants.
For make-ahead preparation, refrigerate the strawberries and whipped cream separately and keep the cooled toasted croissants in an airtight container at room temperature.
Use the prepared strawberries and whipped cream within 1–2 days for best quality and assemble only when ready to serve.
If the croissants lose their crispness, briefly warm them in the oven and allow them to cool completely before assembling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 465 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
