Strawberry Puree for Cakes and Desserts (No Blender Needed)

Strawberry puree is made by cooking strawberries with sugar. As the strawberries heat, the sugar melts and mixes with the water from the fruit. This process also reduces some of the water, turning the mixture into a thick red syrup packed with strawberry flavour and solids. The result is a rich, concentrated puree in both colour and taste.

If you have extra strawberries or need strawberry puree for a recipe, this is the perfect solution. It’s quick to make, requires no special equipment like a blender or food processor, and only needs a few simple ingredients.

What Ingredients Go into Strawberry Puree?

Strawberries: You can use either fresh or frozen strawberries to make your puree. Both options work well, so use whatever you have. If strawberries aren’t in season, frozen ones are a great choice. (Costco offers a large frozen bag at a good price.)

Sugar: You can use either white or brown sugar. It doesn’t make much difference, but brown sugar adds a slightly earthy-sweet flavor from the molasses. Both will dissolve easily in the strawberry juice.

Lemon Juice: This is optional but recommended. It enhances the flavour and helps maintain the bright red colour. The citric acid in the lemon complements the strawberry’s floral notes and keeps the pH level low, which helps preserve the colour.

How to Store Strawberry Puree

After making my strawberry puree, I pour it into a glass container, like a mason jar, and store it in the fridge if I’m not using it right away.

You can also make strawberry puree for long-term storage in the freezer. Just pour it into freezer-safe zip-top bags or containers specifically made for freezer storage.

How Long Does Strawberry Puree Last?

Strawberry puree should last for at least a few weeks when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The process of heating the mixture, adding sugar, and removing water helps preserve it by preventing microbial growth. This is similar to the method used by home canners to store and preserve foods safely.

How to Use Strawberry Puree in Cakes

1. Adding to cake mix:

• Safe to add directly to box cake mixes
• Consider adding pink food coloring for better appearance

2. For homemade cake recipes:

a) Swirl method:

b) Filling method:

Flavor Combination Ideas:

Remember: Adding puree directly to scratch recipes may affect texture and rise. These methods help incorporate strawberry flavor without compromising cake structure.

How to Use Strawberry Puree in Frostings and Butter creams

Buttercreams usually have a lot of butter, so they can handle more liquid, like strawberry puree. Start by adding a tablespoon of puree to room temperature buttercream, then mix on low speed and taste as you go.

Emulsion-type frostings, such as Italian, Swiss, and French buttercreams, are ideal for this. These types of buttercreams are very stable and can handle more water-based ingredients, like your strawberry puree, without breaking down.

Here are two ways to add strawberry puree to a cheesecake:

Before Baking (Swirled Method):

• After pouring the uncooked cheesecake batter into the springform pan, drizzle some strawberry puree over the top.
• Use a long skewer or toothpick to gently swirl the puree into the batter.
• Bake the cheesecake as you normally would, and the swirled strawberry puree will add beautiful streaks of flavor throughout.

Post-Baking (Drizzle Method):

• Allow the cheesecake to cool completely and remove it from the springform pan as directed in the recipe.
• Pour the strawberry puree over the top of the cheesecake for a drippy, decorative effect that adds extra flavor to each bite.

How to use strawberry puree for drinks?

Here’s a simple recipe for making fresh strawberry milk:

1. Pour a few tablespoons of strawberry puree into the bottom of a tall glass.
2. Fill the glass with your choice of milk.
3. Stir well to combine.
4. Insert a straw and enjoy!

It’s a quick and easy way to make a delightful drink that your kids will love.

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Puree

Here’s a simplified summary of your strawberry puree recipe:

No extra equipment is needed; the heat breaks down the strawberries. If you want a smoother puree, you can blend or process the strawberries before cooking.

Heat the strawberries with sugar to melt and dissolve the sugar.

Cook until some of the water evaporates, making the puree thicker. This process is known as “reduction.”

Some Easy Steps

• Step 1: Break down strawberries with heat. Add strawberries and sugar to a saucepan.
• Step 2. Break down strawberries with fork. Cook on medium heat periodically mashing.
• (Optional) Step 3. Remove unwanted seeds and solids by straining.
  Step 4. Store in a jar and cool before using.

Check out the Strawberry Puree Ready to Cook Recipe Below: