Strawberries and Cream (Mexican Fresas con Crema)

This refreshing Mexican Fresas con Crema is a delightfully simple dessert that combines juicy fresh strawberries with a luxuriously smooth cream sauce. It’s the perfect no-fuss treat that comes together in just minutes, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen! I first fell in love with this classic Mexican dessert during a trip to Puebla, and I’ve been perfecting this recipe ever since.

Why You’ll Love This Fresas con Crema

• Quick 10-minute prep time
• Just 6 simple ingredients
• Perfectly balanced sweetness
• Incredibly creamy and smooth
• Light and refreshing for summer
• No baking required
• Makes a beautiful presentation
• Great make-ahead dessert option

If you’re a fan of fresh strawberry desserts, you’ll absolutely adore this Mexican-inspired treat. The cream sauce is truly magical – imagine the richness of sweetened condensed milk blended with fresh cream until it’s silky smooth, then brightened with a touch of vanilla. It’s similar to my strawberry cheesecake desserts but much lighter and more refreshing.

What makes this dessert extra special is how the cream sauce gently coats each strawberry slice, creating the perfect balance in every spoonful. The sour cream adds just the right tang to cut through the sweetness, while the heavy cream brings that luxurious mouthfeel we all crave in a good dessert. Trust me, once you try this combination, you’ll be making it all summer long!

I love serving this in clear glasses to show off the beautiful layers of bright red strawberries peeking through the white cream sauce. It’s one of those desserts that looks fancy enough for company but is actually simple enough for a weeknight treat. And the best part? You can prep it ahead of time and let those flavors develop even more in the fridge!

Key Ingredients That Make This Dessert Shine

Let me walk you through the essential components that make this fresas con crema absolutely irresistible! Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and fresh.

• Fresh Strawberries: The star of our show! Pick bright red, ripe berries that smell sweet and fragrant. I like to slice them thinly so they can really soak up that luxurious cream sauce. If fresh aren’t available, frozen strawberries will work too – just let them thaw completely first.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This gives our cream sauce that dreamy, silky-smooth texture and perfect sweetness. While La Lechera is traditional in Mexico, any brand works beautifully. Just don’t substitute with regular milk – the condensed milk’s thickness is key!
• Sour Cream: My secret weapon for the perfect tang! It balances the sweetness and adds incredible richness. Love making strawberry cheesecake? You’ll adore how the sour cream creates that same lovely tang here.
• Heavy Cream: This creates the most luxurious texture. Make sure it’s very cold when you mix it – this helps achieve that perfectly thick consistency we’re after.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a splash makes all the difference! Use pure vanilla extract rather than imitation for the best flavor.

Success Tips for Perfect Fresas con Crema

1. Temperature matters! Keep your dairy ingredients well-chilled until you’re ready to mix. This ensures the cream sauce will be thick and luxurious rather than thin and runny.
2. Don’t overmix the cream sauce. Beat just until everything is well combined and slightly thickened – about 2 minutes max. Overmixing can make the sauce too thick and heavy.
3. Layer with love. Rather than dumping everything in the glass, create beautiful layers of strawberries and cream. This not only looks prettier but ensures every bite has the perfect ratio of fruit to cream.
4. Make it ahead. The flavors actually get better after a few hours in the fridge! Just hold off on any whipped cream topping until serving time.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Fresas con Crema

Let me walk you through making this dreamy Mexican dessert! The process is wonderfully simple, but a few key techniques will help you achieve that perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Preparing the Strawberries

1. Rinse your strawberries thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels
2. Remove the green tops and slice them into thin, even pieces (about ¼ inch)
3. Set aside while you prepare the cream mixture

Making the Cream Sauce

Here’s where the magic happens! The key is creating that silky-smooth texture that’s rich but not too heavy.

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine your chilled sour cream and sweetened condensed milk
2. Add the evaporated milk and heavy cream
3. Pour in the vanilla extract
4. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened

Baker’s Tip: If your cream sauce seems too thick, add a splash more evaporated milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

Creative Ways to Serve and Customize

While traditional fresas con crema is absolutely perfect on its own (just like my favorite banana pudding recipe), there are so many fun ways to make it your own!

Delicious Topping Ideas

• Fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness
• Crushed graham crackers for added texture
• A drizzle of Mexican chocolate sauce
• Toasted sliced almonds
• Fresh whipped cream

Serving Suggestions

• Layer in clear glass parfait cups for an elegant presentation
• Serve in mason jars for casual gatherings
• Create a dessert bar where guests can add their own toppings
• Make mini portions in shot glasses for parties

Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the cream sauce up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick whisk before serving!

FAQs & Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

Oh my goodness, friends – this fresas con crema is pure magic in a glass! It’s one of those desserts that brings back such sweet memories of warm Mexican evenings, and I just know you’re going to fall in love with it too. The way the cream sauce hugs each strawberry slice is absolutely perfect, and it’s so simple to make that you’ll find yourself craving it again and again.

Remember, the key to success is using really fresh strawberries and keeping those dairy ingredients nice and cold. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your creation – I absolutely love seeing your kitchen successes! And if you’re serving this for guests, try setting up a little topping bar with fresh mint, crushed cookies, or toasted nuts. It’s such a fun way to let everyone customize their dessert!

Happy baking (or in this case, no-baking!), and enjoy every creamy, berry-filled spoonful! 💕🍓