Contents
A nostalgic Romanian summer dessert made with just two ingredients—fresh strawberries and caster sugar. Easy to make in under 10 minutes, this sweet treat is best enjoyed cold, after resting overnight to create a natural syrup. Serve on its own or with whipped cream for an extra indulgence! 🍓
Ingredients
- 1 kg fresh strawberries 🍓
- Caster sugar (to taste – approx. 1 tsp per layer)
- Optional: whipped cream, fresh mint
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries and pat them dry thoroughly using paper towels. Ensure no water remains.
- Cut the strawberries in halves or quarters, depending on their size.
- In a bowl, sprinkle a layer of caster sugar.
- Add a layer of strawberries on top.
- Repeat layering sugar and strawberries until all are used.
- Finish with a final generous layer of sugar.
- Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight.
- Serve cold, with optional whipped cream or a garnish of fresh mint.
Notes
There’s nothing quite like the taste of sun-ripened strawberries at the height of their season. This traditional Romanian strawberries in sugar syrup recipe is a nostalgic summer delight that has sweetened countless childhoods—and continues to charm tastebuds with its simple, fruity goodness.
In many Romanian households, this dessert marked the arrival of warmer days. For one family, Saturdays meant a trip to the bustling market, returning with bags full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Among them, the most anticipated treat: perfectly ripe strawberries.
Back in the 1990s, strawberry season was short and sweet—lasting only 4 to 6 weeks before the heat of summer took over. Unlike today’s year-round supermarket varieties, these berries were a rare seasonal treasure. Their flavor was intense, naturally sweet, and sun-kissed, creating the perfect base for this easy, yet flavorful recipe.🌿 A Family Ritual Turned Timeless Recipe
As the season came to an end, strawberries from the farmer’s market would start to soften—a telltale sign it was time to make this dessert. While modern strawberries may lack the sunshine-soaked taste of the past, homegrown berries bring the tradition back to life. When one Romanian home garden produced an abundant crop, there was only one thing to do—prepare a bowl of juicy strawberries with sugar and let time work its magic.💡 Tips & Notes
- There’s no strict sugar measurement—adjust based on your sweetness preference. A general guideline is one teaspoon of sugar per layer of strawberries.
- Always use caster sugar. Brown sugar or granulated sugar won’t dissolve as smoothly or quickly.
- Want a touch of luxury? Serve the strawberries with a dollop of whipped cream or sprinkle with fresh mint for an extra refreshing twist.
- You can also serve these strawberries over pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat!
