Raspberries, in my opinion, are the prettiest fruit. And as if that wasn’t enough, they are also astonishingly rich in fibre – that’s thanks to all those pips in them. So if you’re one of the silly tribe that spreads seedless raspberry jam on your toast, you’re missing out on an important nutrient.
But aesthetics and nutrition aside, who doesn’t love a raspberry-flavoured sweet or a cake studded with those pink berries?
My collection includes cakes, bars, jam and a breakfast bowl. Check out the recipes and get baking, while British raspberries are still at their best!
This almond cake is airy and light, flourless and dairy free. A soft ground almond sponge flavoured with cinnamon and lemon zest, with fresh raspberries folded in, it’s made from three basic ingredients plus raspberries and flavouring.
Almond cake with raspberries
RECIPE
Raspberries here may appear standalone or in company of a few other berries, to make up a ciambella, Italian breakfast cake. Lemon flavoured, shaped like a doughnut, it is the Roman way to meet the day. With a cappuccino and a smile.
A recipe from sadly now defunct Cranberry Island Kitchen which used to serve all kinds of buttermilk bakes, cakes and pastries. This is a super easy recipe, possibly the easiest in the world. No eggs in this cake, though it’s not vegan: buttermilk, doh.
A slice, a square, a bar, call it what you will, it is a gorgeous buttery almond and raspberry traybake with flaked almond, sugar and butter topping. It’s easier to make and tastier than a Bakewell tart.
Raspberry and almond slice
RECIPE
Raspberry cream roulade with light sponge base rolled into a log with whipped cream filling is deliciously light and surprisingly easy to make. You might also know it as a Swiss roll or cream roll, and it's definitely the best with fresh raspberries.
Raspberry cream roulade
RECIPE
A snack rather than breakfast, raspberry crumble bars are made with oats, brown sugar and fresh berries. Quite a bit different than flapjacks even though it's an oat-based bake. The recipe is adapted from the New York 'Baked' bakery cookbook.
And if you have a glut of raspberries, rejoice! You can make a jar or two of delicious homemade raspberry jam, which is easy to make even in small quantities. Equal amounts of fruit and sugar cooked to setting temperature, and don’t even think of removing the pips!
Raspberry meringue roulade is the perfect dessert recipe by Ottolenghi. The meringue base can be baked a day ahead, and just before serving filled with whipped mascarpone cream filling and fresh raspberries. Decorate it with rose petals and pistachios for an extra wow! effect.
Raspberry meringue roulade
RECIPE
And easy one: raspberry sponge cake recipe, with fresh raspberries scattered on top of light and airy cake batter. Dust it with icing sugar for a perfect late summer dessert.
The final recipe is more wholesome, and breakfast rather than dessert. Summer fruit and oats bowl is prepared ahead and effortlessly assembled in the morning. Lightly roasted raspberry compote topped with the simplest homemade granola is perfect for a healthy breakfast.
Berries and oats breakfast bowl
RECIPE