5 Delicious Florida Desserts

When heading to Florida, most thoughts are on fresh air, plenty of sunshine, plus trips to the beach, and dining on seafood at many of the popular Florida restaurants. Of course, seafood is not the only anticipated item on the menu. Don’t forget to save room for a scrumptiously delicious Florida dessert!

The Ultimate Florida Dessert Is Key Lime Pie

Ask anyone anywhere what is the first dessert that comes to mind when you think Florida Desserts? Undoubtedly, the answer is going to be a slice of key lime Pie. Now, it is rumored that if you happen to make it down to Key West, Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe makes the best key lime pie on planet Earth!. But, this delicious dessert can be made easily in your own kitchen or purchased at your local Publix.

An authentic Florida key lime pie uses fresh key lime juice squeezed from limes. The small round green citrus fruits that are now native to Florida and the Florida Keys. Locals say that the fruit was initially brought to Florida from Mexico in the 1830s by Henry Perrine, a botanist. Today, this deliciously tart and creamy dessert is on almost every menu in the Sunshine State.

Key Lime Bundt Cake

Because limes are so plentiful in Florida, you will find a multitude of tasty key lime recipes. One favorite at our house is this Key Lime Bundt cake. This cake is so moist and delicious alone or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. It is easy to make and great to take to any potluck get together!

Banana Pudding Dessert

Banana pudding is a delicious creamy dessert that is commonly associated with Southern American cuisine and found in many popular Florida restaurants. Delicious banana pudding consists of alternate layers of sweet vanilla custard, cookies, and fresh banana slices placed in a dish and served, topped with whipped cream.  

Strawberry Shortcake – Florida Strawberries

Come late February – early March strawberry season arrives in central Florida. And along with it comes the various Strawberry Festivals. In fact Plant City, the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World”, holds an annual festival, Florida Strawberry Festival.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cold butter
• 1 cup milk
• 2 pints strawberries, chopped
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1-1/2 cups whipped topping

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Gradually stir in milk until a soft dough forms. 
• Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls into 8 mounds on a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Bake at 425° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool on a wire rack. 
• Meanwhile, place strawberries, orange juice, and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in a bowl; toss gently.
• Split shortcakes in half horizontally.
• Place bottom halves on serving plates; top with whipped topping and strawberries.
• Replace shortcake tops.
• Top with whipped cream and strawberries

*Credit orginal recipe: Taste of Home

Florida Blueberry Parfait

Blueberry Lemon Parfait

This parfait looks and tastes like a million dollars, but it’s super simple to put together.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups vanilla Greek-style yogurt
• ¾ cups lemon curd
• 12 gingersnap cookies, crushed
• 2 cups fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl combine yogurt and lemon curd. In a parfait glass layer ¼ cup yogurt mixture, 1 heaping tablespoon cookie crumbs and 1 heaping tablespoon blueberries. Repeat. Top with ¼ cup yogurt mixture and a heaping tablespoon blueberries.
2. Repeat in 3 more parfait glasses.
3. Parfaits can be chilled in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving.

Number of servings (yield): 4 Parfaits

*Recipe and photo courtesy of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

More Scrumptious Recipes

Lastly, I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my sweet tooth’s favorite Florida desserts. Now, I would like to invite you to join a few of my friends as they share a few of their most popular recipe posts. Alas, your search for new menu ideas is now over! Enjoy!

Rebecca : R You Ready To Organize

Heidi: Simply Our Society

LeNysha: Fifty Fab And Traveling

D’Arcy: Dear Darcy

Gwen: Gwen Lives Well

Kim : For A Good Life After 50

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

© COPYRIGHT 2020/ Distinctly Southern Style/ Rosemary Davis