A cake topped with frosting and sliced strawberries on a plate
Photography, Stacey Brandford

12 Canada Day desserts everyone will love

The perfect red and white desserts to showcase your Canadian spirit!

Canada Day is one of summer’s sweetest holidays. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, heading to the cottage or gathering for fireworks with family and friends, no holiday menu is complete without dessert. From juicy strawberries and tangy rhubarb to whipped cream, vanilla and cream cheese frosting, these recipes celebrate the best flavours of the season. Better yet, they just happen to be dressed in Canada’s signature red and white, making them perfect for your Canada Day table.

A white cloth on grass laid with strawberry tiramisu parfaits

Strawberry Tiramisu Dessert

Food writer and photographer Saghar Setarah's riffs on a classic tiramisu recipe by replacing the traditional espresso ingredient with macerated strawberries. The result is a strawberries and cream at their finest.

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Strawberry Napoleons on white dessert plates, puff pastry layers dusted with icing sugar and fresh strawberries

Anna Olson's Strawberry Ricotta Napoleons

Flaky puff pastry layered with creamy ricotta‑mascarpone filling and fresh strawberries, these Strawberry Napoleons are an elegant, make-ahead dessert perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.

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A cake topped with frosting and sliced strawberries on a plate

Strawberry Bourbon Cake

We've paired sweet ripe strawberries with the caramel and vanilla notes of bourbon in this summery dessert recipe.

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Glasses with a red panna cotta in an outside garden with red flowers behind them

Rhubarb Panna Cotta

Rosie Daykin's recipe for rhubarb panna cotta topped with a graham cracker crumble.

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Strawberry-topped cream cake with a crumb crust and sliced fresh strawberries, served on parchment paper with a cake knife beside it.

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert

Beat the heat with this quick and easy strawberry no-bake cheesecake dessert. Caramel-y spiced Biscoff cookies form the crust. An airy, creamy mixture of mascarpone and whipped cream is topped with mounds of fresh strawberries.

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Slice of gluten-free strawberry rhubarb crumble pie served with vanilla ice cream.

Gluten-Free Strawberry and Rhubarb Crumble Pie

Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb come together beneath a crumble topping in this classic summer pie. Finished with a crisp gluten-free crust, it’s the kind of nostalgic dessert best served with vanilla ice cream.

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A man holding a cast-iron dish filled with roasted strawberries, ricotta and mint

Roasted Strawberries with Ricotta and Mint

Chef Francis Mallmann roasts strawberries with butter and sugar in a cast iron pan over an open fire, then serves the hot, caramelized berries over ricotta and tops with fresh mint.

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A cooling rack with red doughnuts in various stages of decoration on a blue cloth.

Red Velvet Doughnuts with Cream Cheese Icing

Transforming the beloved red velvet cake into individual doughnuts, this recipe from Cake & Loaf Bakery offers a delightful twist. These red velvet baked doughnuts are topped with a cream cheese icing and festive sprinkles, making them perfect for special occasions.

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A white plate with a strawberry shortcake and more servings visible in the background.

Classic Strawberry Shortcake

Fresh strawberries meet fluffy biscuits and vanilla whipped cream in this old-school strawberry shortcake recipe.

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A bowl with whipped cream and berries

Berries With Whipped Cream

Bri Beaudoin's recipe for whipped cream made with yogurt served with a sweet berry mixture.

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A yellow cake with raspberries on a white linoleum background

Raspberry Clafoutis

A recipe for a classic French dessert using seasonal Prairie ingredients, created by Dan Clapson and Twyla Campbell.

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A raspberry dessert with one slice cut out.

Hibiscus Raspberry Galette Recipe

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this sophisticated dessert is easy to make.

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