Dulce de Fresas en Almíbar: Colombian Candied Strawberries

Strawberry candy in syrup, Colombian recipe (Dulce de fresas en almíbar).

Dulce de Fresas en Almíbar is a wonderfully sweet, incredibly easy dessert that is heavily popular across the Colombian Andean Region. Using the exact same foundational technique as the blackberry version, this bright, fruity syrup is the perfect, quick topping for your favorite snacks or desserts.

The secret to this lightning-fast 15-minute recipe is simply boiling fresh strawberries with sugar and a tiny splash of water, letting the natural fruit juices create a rich glaze. Skimming the foam ensures a beautiful, clear syrup in this foolproof, decadent treat!

Strawberry candy in syrup, Colombian recipe (Dulce de fresas en almíbar).

Dulce de Fresas en Almíbar (Candied Strawberries)

A simple, vibrant Andean dessert! Fresh strawberries quickly boiled in sugar to create a rich, fruity syrup.

Pin Receta

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Dessert / Sweets

Cuisine Andean, Colombian, Latin American

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

1 lb Fresh strawberries
1 lb Sugar
2 tablespoons Water

Instructions

Prep the fruit: The very first step is to wash the strawberries thoroughly with plenty of cold water. Once clean, carefully remove and discard all of the green stems and small leaves from the fruit.
Build the syrup: Place the clean strawberries into a cooking pot along with the sugar and the 2 tablespoons of water. Place the pot over medium heat and let it come to a gentle boil.
Simmer and skim: Let the mixture boil steadily for about 5 to 10 minutes. As it cooks, you will notice a light foam rising to the surface; use a spoon to continuously skim and remove this foam to ensure your final syrup is glossy and beautifully clear.
Cool and serve: Once the syrup has slightly thickened and the strawberries are soft, remove the pot from the heat. Let it cool, and your sweet is ready to be served over cheese, ice cream, or on its own!

Notes

Holy Week Traditions: Sweets and desserts in Colombia take on special importance during Holy Week. During this time, families often prepare traditional Holy Week sweets to share with neighbors, friends, and family. This tradition is much more popular in the Caribbean Region.
A Sister Recipe: The preparation method for this dessert is virtually identical to the Dulce de Moras en Almíbar, making it incredibly easy to swap out the fruits depending on what is fresh and available in your kitchen.