There is a three week window every summer where strawberries and blueberries are cheap and perfect, and I always buy too many. The first time I froze them, I dumped the whole crate in a bag and ended up with one giant ice brick of mushy fruit.

The fix is one extra step that takes five minutes.

Freeze them in a single layer first

Wash the berries and dry them completely on a clean towel. Wet berries freeze into a solid clump, so do not skip this. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet so they are not touching, and freeze for about two hours.

Once they are rock solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. Because each berry froze separately, they stay loose, so you can grab a handful instead of hacking at a brick.

Which berries freeze best

• Blueberries are the easiest, no prep needed.
• Strawberries do best hulled and halved.
• Raspberries and blackberries are delicate, so handle them last and freeze fast.

I use the frozen berries in smoothies, oatmeal, and baked into muffins straight from the bag. They hold their shape well enough that you would never know they spent months in the freezer.

Squeeze the air out of the bag when you seal it and they will keep for a full year without freezer burn.