Strawberry & Balsamic Crisp Charcuterie

This is a little wild…

Before anyone says anything, I know. Even I was prepared to question this one.

When I first started putting it together, I thought this was a little too far but I went with it anyway. And I’m glad I did, because IT WORKED. It’s sweet. It’s salty. It’s tangy. It’s crunchy. It’s creamy. It’s basically every flavour and texture your brain enjoys all rolled into one weird and wonderful bowl. 

And if we can accept that balsamic strawberries are a thing, then why can’t we throw a crisp into the equation?

But what actually is this dish?

Think of this as a dessert-meets-dinner situation.

We’ve got layers of balsamic vinegar and sea salt crisps topped with juicy strawberries that have been macerated with icing sugar, chunks of honeycomb chocolate and little dollops of clotted cream. It’s a bit like Eton Mess met a packet of posh crisps.

The crisps bring the crunch and saltiness, the strawberries add freshness and sweetness and the honeycomb chocolate brings…the chocolate. Because I wanted chocolate.

What does macerated mean?

It sounds fancy, but it’s super simple. Macerating strawberries just means sprinkling them with sugar and leaving them to sit for a little while. That’s literally it. 

The sugar draws out the natural juices which creates a lovely syrup that makes the strawberries softer and sweeter. We need to do this more tbh. It’s one of the easiest ways to enhance a punnet of strawberries and takes almost no zero effort.

FAQs

Does it have to be strawberries?

Nope. Raspberries work well as a berry alternative and you could try a few mixed berries. 

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes, just make sure they’re fully defrosted first. You’ll likely get a slightly softer texture, but they’ll still taste great once mixed with the icing sugar. Take an extra second to drain the excess liquid, otherwise you’ll have a soggy crisp.

How can I make it even more tangy?

Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze over the top before serving. It boosts that vinegar flavour.

What if I can’t find clotted cream?

Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream work just as well. Mascarpone would also be lovely if you want something a little richer. If using ice cream make sure you serve immediately before everything starts melting.

What crisps work best?

Balsamic vinegar and sea salt crisps are ideal because they really work with the strawberries. If you can’t find them, a good quality sea salt crisp works nicely too. 

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prepare the strawberries in advance, but I’d assemble everything just before serving. Nobody wants a soggy crisp. 

Is this a dessert or a snack?

Er….both. It’s equally acceptable as a summer dessert, a late-night snack or even a sharing platter if you have open-minded friends. Or the friends who love a McDonalds chip dipped in ice cream. 

What does macerated mean?

Macerating strawberries simply means coating them in sugar and leaving them to sit. The sugar draws out their juices, creating a lovely syrup while making the fruit softer and sweeter.