During her time in the White House, First Lady Jackie Kennedy was known for serving French cuisine, including desserts like stewed fruit and crème brûlée. However, during a visit from Princess Grace of Monaco, the First Lady served Strawberries Romanoff. The simple fruit dessert starts with sliced strawberries and a rich whipped cream. I gave the recipe a try and fell in love with the perfectly balanced combination of flavors.
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How to Make Strawberries Romanoff
You can have this entire dish prepped in just 10 minutes. And it requires just a few simple ingredients. Here’s a quick look at how to make Strawberries Romanoff.
Mix together sour cream, brown sugar, and brandy. If you don’t want to use brandy in your dish, swap in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream and sugar together until thick.
Fold the whipped cream into the sour cream mixture and stir gently until combined. If you’re making the dish ahead, this is the time to pop it into the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Slice up some fresh strawberries and serve them with a generous dollop of the cream mixture.
What Does Strawberries Romanoff Taste Like?
This easy dessert takes the classic combination of berries and cream and gives them an elevated flavor thanks to the brandy and sour cream. I loved the tang that the sour cream added. It helped cut through the richness of the whipped cream, and it plays off the sweetness of the strawberries beautifully. I think the cream would also be delicious with other berries like fresh raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries, or spooned over juicy peach slices.
Tips for Making This Strawberry Dessert
Here are a few things I learned along the way when trying Jackie Kennedy’s recipe for Strawberries Romanoff.
For more flavor, marinate the sliced strawberries in a mix of orange juice and sugar before assembling the dessert. Strain the berries with a slotted spoon before adding them to your serving dish so there isn’t too much liquid.
If you don’t like brandy or vanilla, try adding orange liqueur to the cream mixture instead.
Since the strawberries are the star of the show here, spring and summer are the ideal times to serve this dessert. The berries are at their best during warmer months.
If you want an over-the-top decadent dessert, serve the dish over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The Verdict on Strawberries Romanoff
Strawberry shortcake is one of my all-time favorite desserts, and this recipe just might take the top spot on my list. It’s sweet and rich without being too heavy. The freshness of the berries perfectly pairs with the indulgent cream. I also love how easy it is to prep this dessert in advance. The cream will last in the fridge, so you can assemble the dessert in just minutes. Everyone who tried it scraped their bowl clean. I think that speaks for itself.
Dining and Cooking