Asking for a friend: Festival calories don’t count, right? The Florida Strawberry Festival begins today and while we’re getting prepared for all the best at the fest, we couldn’t skip out on sharing this year’s lineup of the 10+ berry sweetest treats.
#ProTip: You’re not going to want to read this on an empty stomach. 😋
Deep Fried Éclair
Deep Fried Éclairs | Photo via @FLStrawberryFestival
DYK éclair means lightning in French? Which is perfect considering this delicious cream-filled shock Carousel Concessions’ Deep Fried Éclairs will bestow upon your taste buds. These hand-friendly French desserts can be found by Neighborhood Village + are fried golden brown, lightly dusted with fluffy sugar, and then patterned with rich Ghirardelli milk chocolate.
Jolly Rancher Slush
Jolly Rancher Slush | Photo via @FloridaStrawberryFestival
Calling all sugar fiends. The Jolly Rancher Slush from Apple Fries Concession is exactly what it sounds like: Jolly Rancher-flavored iced drinks, mountained high with different candy — like Nerds, gummy worms + jelly beans. Swing by their stand — located on West Independent, near the Arthur Boring Building — and snag a commemorative Strawberry Festival cup, while you’re at it.
Mexican Street Burger
Mexican Street Burger | Photo via @FloridaStrawberryFestival
If you’re ready for a fiesta in your mouth — this quarter-pound cheeseburger is for you. The Mexican Street Burger from Carousel Concessions (near Neighborhood Village), is piled with pepper jack cheese, crispy bacon, fresh cilantro and onion, street corn, fried avocados, and laced with spicy Sriracha mayo.
Bahama Breeze Italian Ice
Bahama Breeze Italian Ice | Photo via @domi.ice
Transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with this cool drink from Domi Italian Ice (east of the North Exhibit Tent) + let it help taper a hot day. With a base of strawberry, pineapple, and mango Italian ice, this refreshing bevvie is layered with fresh pineapple + strawberries.
Apple Pie Sweet Potato
Apple Pie Sweet Potato | Photo via @Taylors-DOUGHBOY
While the main fruit of the hour is, of course, Plant City’s coveted strawberry, this apple pie + sweet potato dish steals part of the show in its own right. Located at Taylor’s Doughboy (on the northside of Teco Expo Hall), this dessert potato — or lunch if you prefer — is baked to a crisp, sliced open + stacked high with homemade apple pie filling, butter, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar.
Chocolate Pineberry Drizzle
Editor’s note: Photo currently unavailable
Served on a stick, the Pink-A-Boo pineberry treat is perfect for a one-hand affair. The strawberry snack is drizzled with your choice of either white or milk chocolate + can be found at the Chocolate Strawberry Express (inside the Parke Exhibit Building).
Deep Fried Triple Chocolate Oreo
Deep Fried Triple Chocolate Oreo | Photo via @FLStrawberryFestival
Step one: Dip an oreo in chocolate cake batter. Step two: Deep-fry to delicious perfection. Step three: Finish off with powdered sugar, chocolate sauce + whipped cream. End result: Deep-Fried Oreos from Taylor’s Doughboy (by the southside of the Parke Exhibit Building)
Piggy Stack
Piggy Stack | Photo via @FLStrawberryFestival
This little piggy skips the market + lands right on your plate. For those that prefer salt over sweetness, this cornbread topped snack is full of flavor, as it’s loaded with pulled pork, beans, coleslaw + BBQ sauce — and can be found at Piggy Palace, southwest of the Arthur Boring Building.
Strawberry Brownie Shortcake
Strawberry Brownie Shortcake | Graphic via @FLStrawberryFestival
Why wish upon a star, when you can do the same with a brownie? These moist brownies by Berry Amaz’n Shortcake Booth (south of TECO Expo Hall) are topped with sweet Wish Farm strawberries + cream topping.
Strawberry Lemon Ricotta Funnel Cake
Strawberry Lemon Ricotta Funnel Cake | Photo via @FLStrawberryFestival
This Strawberry Lemon Ricotta Funnel Cake created by Best Around Concessions (outside of Candyland Warehouse) is proof that when life gives you lemons, dessert is the way to go. Made with lemon juice + ricotta cheese, the funnel cake is fried to a golden brown, drizzled with fresh strawberries, and sprinkled with powdered sugar and homemade lemon glaze.
Strawberry Pickle
Editor’s note: Photo currently unavailable
Yes, you read that right. A new take on a dessert, this pickle is packed with strawberry flavoring and is only available for limited availability at the Chocolate Strawberry Express in the Parke Exhibit Building.
Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie
Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie | Photo via @cinnamonsaloon
Perfectly fresh pineapples, strawberry + coconut flavors mix together to bring you this cold beverage from the Cinnamon Bun Saloon — located near the southside of the Parke Exhibit Building. #ProTip: Pair this bevvie with the saloon’s famous cinnamon buns.
Strawberry Red Bottom Passion Italian Ice
The Red Bottom Passion | Photo via @domi.ice
The Red Bottom Passion from Domi Italian Ice (east of the North Exhibit Tent) is created with strawberry + mango Italian ice, topped with strawberry drizzle, plus more fresh strawberries in between the layers. Bonus: You can have your drink and feel philanthropic too, as every percent of a purchase of an item from Domi goes back to a charitable cause.
Faye’s Doozies
Faye’s Doozies | Graphic via @FLStrawberryFestival
Shhh...this is a secret recipe from Mama Faye, herself. Picture soft cream filling packed between two freshly baked cookies — with a choice of chocolate chip or strawberry. Cookie lovers can find this play on an ice cream sandwich at the Cookie Barn Building (located in the northwest corner of the Stadium Exhibit).
World-Famous Parkesdale Farms Strawberry Shortcake
World-Famous Parkesdale Farms Strawberry Shortcake | Photo via @parkesdale
Okay, but, did you even go to the strawberry festival if you didn’t snag Parkesdale shortcake dessert? Made with fresh, farm-grown, local strawberries + topped with a large dollop of homemade whipped cream, festival-goers can find this world-famous dish at the Parkesdale Express in the Parke Exhibit Building. DYK Parkesdale holds the largest strawberry + citrus market in the state?
Bonus Round
Peachy’s Baking Co. donuts | Photo via @FLStrawberryFestival
Set your glaze to this year’s Strawberry Festival and take part in the Amish Donut Eating Contest. Yes, you heard that right — Peachy’s Baking Co. will host a donut eating contest this year for those interested. Don’t be jelly. If you want to participate, be sure to enter the contest at one of Peachy’s locations during the festival with your team of four on March 5 at 11 a.m. 😋
Poll
