Sunday Mornings: Fresh Strawberries with Dip

One of my quiet little joys recently has been baking on Sunday mornings — something I’ve grown to cherish, even if it doesn’t happen as often as I’d like. Baking is still fairly new to me, so I’ve been exploring easy, no-fuss recipes that feel like a small win. This slow, quiet time has become a kind of self-care.

I love the stillness of early mornings — the house is calm, everyone’s asleep, no gardeners, no cars outside. Just me, my first cup of coffee, sometimes a candle burning, and always a favorite playlist in the background, depending on my mood.

This morning, I didn’t exactly bake, but I did put together something playful for breakfast, a fun little twist that works for breakfast, a sweet snack, or even an effortless dessert when friends drop by: Strawberry Dip. I made two versions, one with crème fraîche and one with mascarpone, both easy to make. A few fresh croissants on the side and, of course, a proper espresso or a really good cup of coffee.

These could be really fun for kids and perfect to have for little parties -very easy to assemble- first dip in the cream mixture then the crunchy one and your done. I have to say my favorite was the Orange Mascarpone Dip.

Cardamom Crème Fraîche Dip

A creamy, lightly spiced dip that feels decadent but comes together in minutes.

You’ll need:

• 2 green cardamom pods

• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar

• ½ cup crème fraîche

• Fresh strawberries

• Demerara sugar (for crunch) - I used Turbinado sugar

How to make it:
Crush the cardamom seeds in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, then mix with sugar and crème fraîche. Whisk until creamy and slightly thickened. Serve with strawberries and a small bowl of Turbinado sugar — the fun part is dipping the berry into the cream first, then into the crunchy sugar.

Orange Mascarpone Dip

This one has a bright, citrusy flavor that feels a little more indulgent.

You’ll need:

• ½ cup mascarpone, room temperature

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier

• ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Fresh strawberries

• Finely chopped roasted, salted pistachios

How to make it:
In a bowl, mix the mascarpone with sugar, Grand Marnier, orange zest, and vanilla until smooth. Serve with strawberries and chopped pistachios for a bit of salty crunch.

Recipe: Bon Appetite