My No-Bake "Cupid's Cloud" Dessert Will Make Anyone Fall in Love With You
I love to host dinners, cozy girls’ nights, themed parties, you name it — and I always go all out on the spread, even when I say I’m going to be casual. But the one thing I’m just never in the mood to spend my time or effort on? Dessert. If I’m making other dishes, you’ll rarely catch me making any elaborate desserts. It’s the first thing I’ll gleefully hand off to a guest who asks “What can I bring?” I’ve even been known to skip the baked goods entirely and put out cut fruit and a mix of my favorite candies.
If I do make dessert, it’s usually something simple like pastry cream with macerated fruit or make-ahead-friendly things like banana pudding (can you tell I’m a big fan of custardy things?). Fool, a British fruit dessert, falls into that easy/delicious dessert category I rely on. Typically it involves a puréed fruit compote simply folded into whipped cream. But then I saw a recipe called Cupid’s Cloud, which is basically a fool but with blended frozen fruit, and thought that sounded delicious and even easier.
I gotta say that I really love my version of this dessert. I’ve made it, like, five times since January (and only three of those were for the development of this recipe). It’s easy to make, requires only five ingredients and 15 minutes of prep, and it tastes like something between soft-serve ice cream and whipped cream. Plus, with only 3 tablespoons of added sugar for the entire batch, it garners one of the nicest compliments I think a dessert can get: not too sweet. It’s the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day or a galentine’s get-together.
With its rosy pink color and a few sliced strawberries for garnish, this whipped dessert is seriously cute piled into cocktail glasses. Bring these over to the table and anyone will be a fool for you.
Why You’ll Love It
No cook, no fuss! With only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep, this dessert still manages to bring big flavor and a perfectly whipped texture.
Not too sweet. This dessert has just enough sugar to balance the tartness of the raspberries without veering into cloying territory.
Key Ingredients in Cupid’s Cloud
Cream: Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form to create the base for the dessert.
Strawberries: Freeze coarsely chopped fresh strawberries just for a few minutes while you whip the cream — it will break down so much more evenly with the raspberries than whole frozen strawberries, which are very hard and dense.
Raspberries: Sweet-tart frozen raspberries bring balance and vibrant color to the creamy dessert.
Sugar: You just need a few tablespoons of powdered sugar to get the perfect, not-too-sweet dessert.
Extract: You can use vanilla or almond extract, but my favorite is the secret third option: both.
Helpful Swaps
Use frozen cherries (sweet or a blend of sweet and tart) in place of the raspberries and strawberries, or create your own custom berry blend.
You can substitute 2 cups of Cool Whip for the whipped cream, if that’s your thing!
Garnish with a flurry of powdered freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries for a high-contrast top (like our Berry Chantilly Tiramisu).
Top with fresh whole raspberries instead of strawberry slices for garnish.
More No-Bake Desserts for Valentine’s Day
Cupid’s Cloud (Berry Fool) Recipe
You’d be a fool to skip this dessert.
Prep time 15 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
1/2 cup trimmed and coarsely chopped fresh strawberries (about 4 medium)
1 cup cold heavy cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/8 teaspoon almond extract, or both
1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries
Sliced fresh strawberries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Place 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries in the freezer while you prepare the other ingredients.
Beat 1 cup cold heavy cream, 1 tablespoon of the powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract with the whisk attachment in a stand mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 5 to 6 minutes. (Alternatively, whisk in a large bowl by hand.) Refrigerate while you prepare the fruit.
Pulse the chopped strawberries, 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries, and the remaining 2 tablespoons powdered sugar in a food processor until finely chopped and resembles a coarse meal, 15 to 20 (1-second) pulses.
Transfer to the bowl of whipped cream and gently fold together with a flexible spatula until just combined. Divide between 4 to 6 serving cups. Garnish with sliced strawberries if desired. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead
You can make the Cupid’s Cloud, divide between serving cups, and refrigerate uncovered for up to 2 hours before serving.
You can freeze the chopped strawberries and whip the cream up to 1 day ahead. Store the strawberries in the freezer and refrigerate the whipped cream in an airtight container. If the whipped cream loosens, whisk until thickened before using.
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day. It will soften to a saucy consistency that is delicious drizzled over ice cream or pancakes.
Further Reading
Why People Are Ditching Their Seltzer After a Disturbing Study
The “Beautiful” $3 Flower Tumblers at Walmart People Are Buying 2 at a Time
Ball Just Dropped the Most Beautiful Mason Jars for Its 140th Anniversary ("So Iconic!")
