Strawberries galore: Indulge in these tasty berry bites this summer in Delaware

Don’t get your berries in a bunch just yet. Strawberry season is finally here and taking over Delaware dining with a sweet punch.

Strawberries are recognized as the official state fruit of Delaware. That being said, it should come as no surprise that these eight restaurants around the state are using our beloved berry to inspire these innovative summer specials.

From classic shortcakes to sweet sundaes to berry tasty happy hours, here are some of the ways our state fruit can sweeten your palate and remain on the tip of your tongue all summer long:

Mascarpone ice cream sundae

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Especially when it comes to Le Cavalier’s latest decadent frozen dessert, whipped up just in time for summer.

This season’s sundae features mascarpone ice cream topped with strawberry-rhubarb preserves, chocolate whipped cream and candied pistachios.

Offered only for this summer, stop by and try it before it is too late.

42 W. 11th St., Wilmington, (302) 594-3154; lecavalierde.com/

Strawberry shortcake-inspired baked Alaska

At Thompson Island Brewing Co., they are putting a strawberry twist on a dessert classic.

Their newly featured strawberry shortcake-inspired baked Alaska is made from flourless white chocolate cake and includes strawberry sorbet, strawberry and vanilla ice cream, toasted meringue, cream cheese whip and a Nilla wafer crumble.

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Talk about layers of berry goodness, and it does not stop there.

They also have a Cosmic Cow Strawberry Milk Stout made with cocoa nibs and strawberries. For some more berry-infused brews, check out their Ta-Da! Strawberry Kiwi or Escaped Double Blackberry Strawberry Currant beers.

30133 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, (302) 226-4677; thompsonislandbrewing.com/ 

Strawberry shortcake

A guide to Delaware’s strawberry treats would not be complete without the tried-and-true strawberry shortcake, and Sweet Somethings Desserts has it covered.

Their three-layer vanilla pound cake is filled with 1 pound of fresh sliced strawberries and vanilla pastry cream. The shortcake is then finished with a layer of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

This cake would be a great addition to any summer celebrations you have coming up and is sure to bring the taste of summer right to your home.

If you want to see what a slice of this sweet treat looks like, you’ll have to try it for yourself.

1006 N. Union St., Wilmington, (302) 655-7211; sweetsomethingsdesserts.com/

Strawberry pretzel salad

If you grew up eating pretzel salad for the holidays, you’ll be happy to hear that Crust and Craft in Rehoboth Beach is featuring it on its menu this summer.

For the initiated, this is a seasonal layered sweet, no veggies involved.

Made with brown butter pretzel crust, their spin on the dessert is filled with cheesecake cream and homemade strawberry Jell-O before being topped with cream cheese whip.

18701 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, (302) 313-5029; crustandcraftrehoboth.com/  

Sakura

Whether you are planning a summer date night or simply want to treat yourself to something nice, Torbert Street Social and their new strawberry cocktail might be right up your alley.

Called Sakura, the speakeasy’s newest beverage is a mix of strawberry soju, in-house coconut-washed vodka, Coco Lopez cream of coconut, freshly juiced watermelon and a homemade lemon-vanilla foam topping.

Described as light and refreshing, this drink delivers a balance of creamy coconut and sweet strawberry flavors.

305 Torbert St., Wilmington, (302) 407-6627; torbertsocial.com/ 

Strawberry cheesecake ice cream

At the Ice Cream Store in Rehoboth Beach, they have a variety of strawberry ice creams to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Their strawberry cheesecake flavor is made from a sweet cream base infused with strawberry ribbons made from fresh strawberry puree. For a final touch, cheesecake bites are mixed throughout.

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If you want something a little more traditional, they also offer an award-winning creamy strawberry flavor. This ice cream is a creamy strawberry base with fresh strawberry mash swirled throughout, made in collaboration with Woodside Farm Creamery near Hockessin.

In 2019, this flavor was the highest scoring strawberry ice cream at the National Championship in Charleston, South Carolina, and also won the National Blue Ribbon at the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association Show in Florida.

Try it for yourself at their boardwalk location, or buy some from their weekly stand at the Rehoboth Farmers Market.

6 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, (302) 227-4609; rehobothbeachicecream.com/home.html  

Hudson Valley Torchon of Foie Gras

Who said strawberries can’t be savory? Heirloom in Lewes has a summer menu filled with strawberry dishes, including a Hudson Valley Torchon of Foie Gras.

This French delicacy of liver includes an olive oil and black pepper Bundt cake, strawberries, pickled first-of-the-season rhubarb, toasted pistachios and rhubarb-basil preserves.

On the sweeter side, Heirloom has crafted a Mascarpone and Olive Oil Semifreddo. The frozen mousse treat starts with a strawberry-graham cracker crust, then filled with rhubarb and basil preserves and topped with a brown butter-poppy seed crumble and honeycomb.

For the last of their summer creations, they offer a strawberry shrub made with Mi Campo tequila, Sombra mezcal, torn basil, black pepper syrup, cappelletti (aperitivo) and house- fermented strawberry shrub.

212 Savannah Road, Lewes, (302) 313-4065; heirloomdelaware.com/

Strawberry cheesecake Overload Pancakes

There is no need to wait until dessert to bring on the strawberry fun when the Sugar Factory at Dover Downs says you can indulge at breakfast time.

Their Strawberry Cheesecake Overload Pancakes deliver a bite that mimics its namesake. Fluffy vanilla bean pancakes are topped with cheesecake bites, white chocolate sauce and raspberry sauce, a slice of cheesecake, strawberry topping, a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar, whipped cream and powdered sugar, served with a maple syrup on the side.

Want to kick the sweetness up a notch? Ask to add a scoop of ice cream.

For those of you who prefer to wait until happy hour, they have something for you, too.

Designed and tasted by Nick Jonas (yes, of the Jonas Brothers!) and John Vervatos, the Sugar Factory’s Strawberry Cadillac Reposado Margarita is made with Villa One Reposado, Grand Marnier, strawberries, triple sec, lime juice and a simple syrup.

And there’s more! The margarita is topped with Cadillac gummies, gummy apple rings and Key lime gummy fruit slices.

1131 N. Du Pont Highway, Dover, (302) 857-3252; sugarfactory.com/location/dover-downs/

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Strawberries inspire 8 summer dishes, drinks by Delaware restaurants