As far as seasons go, spring may well be the most beautiful of them all. There’s something life-affirming about watching the flowers come into bloom and filling the spring air with fragrance. For home chefs, it’s a season to get inspired in the kitchen. That’s why RiceSelect® is here to guide you through the sweet side of spring. We have an array of mouthwatering dessert recipes that put seasonal fruits front and center. So, join us as we celebrate the end of winter with vibrant flavors that will dazzle your senses!
How to Make Spring Desserts
The secret to making desserts in spring is to make the most of the fresh fruits that are coming into season. To help you do so, we’ve compiled this easy guide to seasonal fruits.
Guide to In-Season Fruits
Spring | Summer |
Apricots Mangos Pineapple Rhubarb Strawberries Peaches Cherries | Blackberries Blueberries Raspberries Plums Watermelon Melon Nectarines |
Fall | Winter |
Apples Cranberries Figs Grapes Pears Pomegranate | Grapefruit Oranges Lemons Tangerines Kiwis Mandarin |
Flavor Combinations for Spring Fruits
It’s fun to get creative with your fruit pairings in the kitchen, and there really are no hard and fast rules as to which spring fruits you can put together. However, here are a few pairing suggestions that are tried and true.
Strawberry and Rhubarb
Strawberry and Cream
Strawberry and Banana
Blueberry and Lemon
Raspberry and Peach
Peach and Cinnamon
Mango and Pineapple
Apricot and almonds
Popular Spring Desserts with In-Season Fruits
Now that we’re up to speed on in-season fruits and ways to pair them, let’s take a look at three of the most popular spring fruits and some neat dessert recipes that feature them.
Peaches
Tender and juicy, it’s no wonder that peaches are such a popular dessert ingredient. In this recipe for Peachy Keen Rice Bake, our humble peach serves as a fruity and refreshing complement to a sweet and creamy Texmati® Rice bake. Best of all, it takes only 20 minutes to prepare, making it a convenient dessert option to cap off an elaborate main course.
Mangos
Mild, sweet, and fragrant, mangos also work wonders in rice desserts, as this Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut demonstrates. Although we might categorize this recipe as a dessert, in Thailand it’s also a popular breakfast option. Whatever time of day you choose to enjoy it, you’ll love how our sweet and sticky Sushi Rice is infused with the flavors of mango and coconut. Made with all natural ingredients, it’s a dessert to feel good about.
Strawberries
Is there a fruit more synonymous with spring than a ripe, red strawberry? Probably not. Strawberries are nature’s way of bidding adieu to the cold season. Not only are they perfect as a snack to be eaten on their own, but they're also a wonderful ingredient that takes rice desserts to the next level. Check out how these Cinnamon Rice Fritters are elevated by the addition of strawberry preserves. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and with a sweet strawberry kick to boot, it’s a sweet and delicate marvel that is guaranteed to impress!
Spring Rice Pudding Recipes
As far as beloved desserts go, you just can’t beat a nice rice pudding dish. It’s quite possibly America’s favorite sweet treat. What’s more, its flexibility makes it an evergreen dessert that you can adapt and change according to the seasons. You’ll love how the juicy peach and tart raspberries meld together with creamy RiceSelect® Arborio Rice in this Peach Curd Raspberry Rice Pudding Parfait.
Alternatively, if you’re craving a rice pudding dessert that’s not only unique but also seasonal, then our Lemon and Rhubarb Rice Pudding might be right up your alley. Blending the citrus zest of lemon with the tart flavor of cooked rhubarb, don't be surprised if this sweet dish becomes your go-to dessert this spring!
Desserts with Almonds
In season cooking is not only a great way to discover new flavors, it’s also good for the environment. Another wonderful ingredient to add to springtime desserts is the humble almond. Crunchy and fragrant, almonds are great for enhancing the texture and flavor profile of sweet dishes. This Amaretto Rice Cheese Cake is a light dessert option that’s also flavor rich. Made with fluffy Texmati® Rice, cinnamon, and sliced almonds, it’s a mouthwatering dessert that’s filled with natural ingredients.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a simple snack option that will please both adults and kids, try your hand at these Cinnamon Crunch Cookies. In this recipe, slivered almonds combine with our Texmati® Rice to create the perfect cookie texture. As picnic season beckons, these cookies make for a wholesome and shareable treat that people will absolutely love. Just make sure to make a big enough batch!
Spring Is in the Air
Don’t let this special season pass uncelebrated. Embrace the plethora of new flavors coming into season, and remember: RiceSelect® is a hub for home chefs looking for inspiration, so be sure to keep a close eye on our blog this spring!