Summer is getting even sweeter as vibrant citrus flavors and lush berries are bursting onto the scene. Stay out just a little later for juicy fruit desserts and squeeze the cooling flavors of lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit -- or the taste of fresh berries -- into your day.
Citrus fruits are well known for their healthy punch of vitamin C, and berries are the kings and queens of antioxidants. Let their many health benefits make justifying dessert this season that much easier. Here are 9 fruity desserts to say yes to this summer.
End the meal on a sweet note at A-Frame in LA with a delicious Butter Mochi Cake, lightly salted and topped off with a citrusy slice of orange.
With creative dishes that change nightly, Contra is a chic New American spot in NYC that offers six- to eight-course prix fixe menus, highlighting whatever's in season -- like in their strawberry ice cream with cream mousse and spring herbs -- to get that fruity fix.
As tasty as it is beautiful, the Oeufs à la Neige ("snow eggs" in French) at Brindille in Chicago is made with ruby red grapefruit, thyme granité (a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and different flavorings) and Aperol (an Italian aperitif made of bitter orange).
Experience the bright and delicious Lemon Cake at Kapnos Taverna in Washington D.C., made with thyme meringue (a mix of egg whites, sugar and thyme) and labne (strained yogurt) ice cream.
At The Olde Bar in Philadelphia, the Strawberry Shortcake -- sized for two and made with cream cheese mousse and strawberry mint sorbet -- is a lovely way to end your meal.
Maré in LA mixes strawberries into a tasty Blood Orange Trifolo with semolina cake and fruit compote (fruit in sugar syrup), all stylishly layered in a jar and served alongside Rosemary Cookies.
Peruvian restaurant Mochica in SF serves a light yet luscious treat of Panna Cotta over fresh berries and passion fruit sauce.
Sink your fork into a delicious Blueberry Cobbler from brasserie-inspired Whetstone in Philadelphia, offering a sweet take on this American classic -- a blueberry compote topped with a warm biscuit and a scoop of condensed milk ice cream.
The Cotton Duck in Chicago delivers a citrusy Lemon Curd dessert with a tumble of bright strawberries, graham crumble and maple flavors, bringing the best of citrus and berry flavors together.
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