La Madeleine’s Strawberries Romanoff has achieved legendary status for good reason. This simple yet sophisticated dessert transforms fresh strawberries into something truly special with just a few quality ingredients. Perfect for ending a Sunday brunch, celebrating a special occasion, or elevating a summer dinner, this elegant treat requires minimal effort but delivers maximum impact.
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I was determined to recreate it at home as someone who’s enjoyed this dessert countless times at La Madeleine cafés. After some experimenting, I’m thrilled to share this spot-on copycat recipe that captures all the original’s magic. The best part? You can prepare it in just minutes!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Looking for the perfect and easy-to-make dessert? You can’t get easier than this one! I love to make this recipe when I can find local and in-season fresh strawberries. This is what you need to make the dessert:
- Fresh strawberries – The star of the show, providing natural sweetness and vibrant color
- Sour cream – Creamy and tangy, it’s what makes this dessert so indulgent
- Brown sugar – Sweetens the sour cream with rich caramel flavor
- Brandy – Provides that distinctive Romanoff flavor and sophisticated warmth
- Fresh Mint (Optional) – For a colorful garnish
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Cutting board and knife
- Serving glasses or dishes
How to make La Madeleine Strawberries Romanoff
- Hull and slice the fresh strawberries.
- Place the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine until smooth.
- Place strawberries in a wine glass or dessert dish.
- Spoon sauce over strawberries.
- Garnish with fresh mint if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Select the Perfect Strawberries
The quality of your strawberries will make or break this dessert. Here’s how to choose the best ones:
- Inspect the green caps – Fresh, bright green caps indicate recently harvested berries
- Look for vibrant red color – Bright, uniformly red berries will have the most flavor and sweetness
- Check for freshness – Avoid berries with mold, soft spots, or shriveled appearance
- Size matters less than quality – Smaller berries often have more concentrated flavor than jumbo ones
- Buy local and in-season – Strawberries taste best when picked ripe, which is more likely with local, seasonal berries
- Use your nose – Fresh strawberries should have a sweet, fragrant aroma; if they don’t smell like anything, they likely won’t taste like much either
La Madeleine Strawberries Romanoff
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries or 2 pints
- 1 cup sour cream
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons brandy
Instructions
- Just before serving, rinse berries and trim stems with a paring knife.
- Mix remaining ingredients and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Put berries in stemmed wine glass and top with sauce.
Notes
Expert Tips for Perfect Strawberries Romanoff
- Make ahead tip: Prepare the cream up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator. Assemble just before serving.
- Alcohol-free version: Replace brandy with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of orange juice for a family-friendly version.
- Presentation upgrade: Layer ingredients in clear glasses for a striking visual effect – strawberries, cream, more strawberries, more cream, a perfect berry, and fresh mint leaves on top.
- Texture variation: For added dimension, mix in 2 tablespoons of mascarpone cheese with the heavy cream.
- Flavor enhancement: Add 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest to the cream for a subtle citrus note.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as the finale to a French-inspired meal
- Offer as part of a brunch spread
- Create a dessert bar with Strawberries Romanoff as the centerpiece
- Pair with a glass of champagne or dessert wine for special occasions
- Use as a topping for pound cake or angel food cake for a more substantial dessert
Storage Tips
- This dessert is best enjoyed fresh, within an hour of assembly
- The cream can be stored separately in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- Prepared strawberries can be stored separately for up to 24 hours
- Not recommended for freezing
More Strawberry Recipes
- How to Make Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
- Strawberry Pop Tart Pie
- Basil Strawberry Water
- Strawberry Frappe Starbucks
- Strawberry Pancake Puppies
- Strawberry Poke Cake
- How to Make Strawberry Limeade
- Strawberry Soup
- Strawberry Mimosa
Popular Fruit Desserts
Be sure to look at all the favorite spring recipes and dessert recipes.
This La Madeleine Strawberries Romanoff copycat recipe captures all the elegance of the original with minimal effort. This recipe delivers every time when you’re looking for a way to showcase perfect summer strawberries or need a quick yet impressive dessert for unexpected guests. Combining fresh berries with the slightly boozy, sweetened cream creates a symphony of flavors that tastes far more complex than its simple ingredient list suggests.
Can I make this a day ahead?
I would not, because the whipped cream here is not stabilized, so it would turn runny by the next day.
needed twice as much Brandy and a tablespoon of honey.
We made this for the weekend but there were children present so we use Mexican Vanilla in place of the brandy Major hit!
The Mexican vanilla is an inspired idea and sounds delicious.
I would love to have La Madeline’s Kale and Quinoa salad tecipe!
This was great. I made it for a brunch!