Looking for a quick and easy last minute Fourth of July dessert to throw together? Easy frozen berries with hot white chocolate will have you whistling Yankee Doodle Dandy in no time 🗽🎆🎇
I made this dessert years ago when I first saw Ina Garten make in on the Food Network. It was amazing then and it's still just as amazing! It's incredible how just a few ingredients can come together and really shine. The temperature difference is, in my opinion, the true reason this recipe works so well.
WHAT'S IN EASY FROZEN BERRIES WITH HOT WHITE CHOCOLATE?
Well, as the name would suggest, there's not much more than what's in the name. Frozen berries (any combination of your choice), white chocolate, cream, and a vanilla bean (or vanilla extract) all intertwine to create this "most excellent" dessert (I'm quoting Bill & Ted, and also dating myself--haha!). It's absolutely PERFECT for the Fourth of July!!
CAN I USE BAGGED FROZEN BERRIES?
Yes, you most certainly can use already bagged store bought frozen berries. If you have time (to allow the berries to freeze) and produce is at its peak, you can freeze the berries from fresh. There is a slight difference when using fresh that I think is better, but it's a matter of choice and convenience.
HOW DO I FREEZE THE BERRIES?
The simplest way to freeze berries is to place them on a baking sheet lined with either parchment or wax paper and freeze them flat, until solid. If using strawberries, cut them into quarters before freezing. Biting into a whole frozen strawberry might cause brain freeze 🤦♀️
Once the berries are completely frozen, either use right away or place in a large ziptop plastic baggie and store in the freezer until ready to use.
HOW DO I MAKE THE HOT WHITE CHOCOLATE?
Hot white chocolate is basically white chocolate ganache, thin enough to pour. I modified the amounts from Ina's recipe because I like my hot white chocolate a little thicker. Simply combine the chopped white chocolate with the heavy cream in a large microwavable measuring cup with a spout (this is the one I have) and microwave on medium power (50%) in 30-second intervals, stirring or whisking after each, until chocolate melts into cream when whisked. Add vanilla bean seeds or vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
When ready for serving, remove fruit from freezer and fill ramekins or small bowls with mixed frozen fruit. Allow fruit to sit for about 3-5 minutes. Slowly pour hot white chocolate over fruit in each bowl. Serve immediately! And I have to say, how cute are these ramekins??? My daughter picked them up for me at Target in their dollar spot. I LOVE them ❤
Even though it's so simple and so quick, frozen berries with hot white chocolate is sure to become a favorite that you'll return to time and time again.
Easy Frozen Berries with Hot White Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 pint fresh blueberries (or 1 small bag frozen blueberries)
- 1 pint fresh raspberries (or 1 small bag frozen raspberries)
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, quartered (or 1 small bag frozen sliced strawberries)
- 1 lb (16 oz) white chocolate, coarsely chopped (not white chocolate chips)
- 1 cup (8 oz or 240 g) heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean, seeds removed
Instructions
- If using fresh fruit, line baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper and place berries on baking sheet in one even layer. Freeze for 2 hours. If not using right away, store in freezer in large ziptop bag. If using already frozen bags of fruit, skip to the next step.
- Divide mixture of frozen berries into 8 ramekins or small bowls. Let sit for a few minutes while making the hot white chocolate.
- In large measuring cup with spout, combine chopped white chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave on half power (50%) in 30-second intervals, stopping to stir after each, until white chocolate melts completely into cream, about 1½-2 minutes total. Whisk in vanilla extract or vanilla bean seeds.
- Pour hot white chocolate onto frozen berries in each ramekin. Serve immediately.
Notes
Adapted from Ina Garten's Frozen Berries with Hot White Chocolate
Carolyn Collingsworth
This recipe is so good & so easy, yummy!
Kim
Thanks, Carolyn! It is one of our favorites 🙂