Dreamy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe: Sweet Summer Magic!

Sweet summer afternoons call for this delectable strawberry shortcake recipe that promises pure bliss.

Ripe, juicy berries burst with flavor in every single bite.

The crumbly, buttery shortcake base creates a perfect canvas for layers of creamy goodness.

Whipped cream billows softly between tender cake layers and fresh strawberries.

Each forkful delivers a sublime balance of sweet and tangy notes that dance across your palate.

Seasonal strawberries transform this classic dessert into a memorable treat you’ll want to savor slowly.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that celebrates the simple beauty of fresh ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 384 kcal

Servings: 9

Shortcake Ingredients For A Sweet Finish

• Strawberries: Vibrant, sweet berries that provide juicy bursts of flavor and natural sweetness, best when ripe and deep red with no bruising or white patches.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational base for tender, flaky biscuits with the perfect light texture.
• Sugar, Granulated: Adds sweetness and helps create golden-brown biscuit surfaces.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps biscuits rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness in the biscuits.

• Butter, Cold: Creates layers and rich, buttery flavor in biscuits; must be very cold for optimal texture.
• Milk: Binds dry ingredients and adds moisture to create tender biscuit crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic undertone that complements strawberries beautifully.
• Heavy Cream: Transforms into luxurious, cloud-like whipped cream with delicate sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Softens and sweetens whipped cream without granular texture.
• Egg: Creates golden, glossy biscuit tops when used as a wash.
• Coarse Sugar: Optional topping that adds delightful crunch and sparkle to biscuit surface.

Tools You’ll Need For Strawberry Shortcake

• Baking sheet: lined with parchment paper for even baking.
• Biscuit cutter or glass: creates perfect round biscuit shapes.
• Large mixing bowl: for combining dry ingredients and forming biscuit dough.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: helps cut cold butter into flour mixture.
• Hand mixer: whips cream to soft, fluffy peaks.
• Chilled mixing bowl: keeps whipped cream cold and helps it form properly.
• Sharp knife: for slicing strawberries and biscuits.
• Measuring cups and spoons: ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Whisk: blends dry ingredients smoothly.

Steps To Bake Strawberry Shortcake From Scratch

• Prep Sweet Strawberries

Slice strawberries and gently mix with sugar. Let them sit and create delicious juices while you prepare other components.

• Create Fluffy Biscuit Base

Warm up the oven and combine dry ingredients. Carefully blend cold butter into flour mixture until it looks like rough crumbs. Mix in milk and vanilla softly. Roll out dough and cut into round shapes. Brush tops with egg and sprinkle sugar. Bake until golden and beautiful.

• Whip Creamy Topping

Chill a mixing bowl and whip cream with sugar and vanilla until soft and dreamy peaks form.

• Build Delightful Layers

Split biscuits in half. Spoon macerated strawberries onto bottom half. Add a generous cloud of whipped cream. Place top biscuit over cream. Garnish with extra berries and cream if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet summer treat.

Tips To Get The Fluffiest Shortcake

• Strawberry Shortcake Cooking Tips & Variations
• Berry Selection Hack: Choose ripe, deep red strawberries with vibrant color and sweet aroma for maximum flavor intensity. Avoid berries with white or green sections.
• Butter Temperature Trick: Use extremely cold butter and work quickly to create flakier, more tender biscuits. Freeze butter for 10-15 minutes before cutting into dry ingredients for best results.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain biscuit structure and texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use plant-based butter alternative in biscuit recipe. Use non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk for liquid component.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare biscuit dough and cut rounds ahead of time, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This allows flavors to develop and saves preparation time when serving guests.

Ideas To Serve Classic Shortcake Right

• Brunch Bliss: Serve this classic strawberry shortcake as a delightful centerpiece for a weekend brunch with friends, complementing other light breakfast dishes.
• Summer Picnic Perfection: Pack the biscuits, whipped cream, and macerated strawberries separately in a cooler for an easy-to-assemble dessert during outdoor gatherings.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Arrange the shortcake on a white plate, dust with powdered sugar, and garnish with a fresh mint leaf for a restaurant-style presentation that impresses guests.
• Kid-Friendly Dessert Station: Let children build their own shortcakes by setting out pre-sliced biscuits, strawberries, and whipped cream for a fun, interactive dessert experience.

Storing Strawberry Shortcake Made Easy

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store assembled shortcakes for maximum 2-3 hours before serving to maintain biscuit crispness and prevent soggy texture. Keep components separately in sealed containers.
• Ingredient Separation Technique: Store macerated strawberries, whipped cream, and baked biscuits in individual airtight containers in refrigerator. Keeps ingredients fresh and allows flexible assembly later.
• Make-Ahead Preparation: Bake biscuits up to 24 hours in advance. Wrap completely cooled biscuits in plastic wrap, then store in sealed container at room temperature. Slice and assemble just before serving for best taste and texture.
• Smart Storage Solutions: Refrigerate unused whipped cream in sealed container for up to 48 hours. Strawberries can stay fresh in refrigerator for 2-3 days when stored in covered container. Always keep ingredients chilled to maintain quality and prevent bacterial growth.

Heavenly Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Classic strawberry shortcake brings sweet summer memories to life with tender biscuits and ripe berries. Creamy whipped cream crowns this beloved dessert, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) strawberries, fresh, hulled and sliced
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup butter, unsalted, cold, cubed
• ⅔ cup milk, whole
• ¼ cup sugar, granulated (for strawberries)
• ¼ cup sugar, granulated (for biscuits)
• 2 tbsps sugar, powdered
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for biscuits)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for whipped cream)
• 1 egg, large, beaten (for brushing tops)
• sugar, coarse (optional, for sprinkling)

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Instructions

1. Maceration Preparation: Gently toss strawberries with sugar in a mixing bowl, allowing natural juices to develop and intensify flavors for half an hour at room temperature.
2. Dough Foundation: Blend dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, then integrate chilled butter using fingertips until mixture resembles rough, crumbly terrain.
3. Liquid Integration: Delicately fold milk and vanilla into the crumbly dough, minimizing handling to preserve a tender, flaky texture.
4. Shaping and Cutting: Roll dough onto a lightly dusted surface to one-inch thickness, then craft six elegant circular biscuit rounds using a precise cutter.
5. Pre-Baking Preparation: Arrange biscuit rounds on parchment-lined baking sheet, artfully brushing surfaces with beaten egg and optional sugar crystals for enhanced golden sheen.
6. Thermal Transformation: Slide baking sheet into preheated oven at 425F (220C), allowing biscuits to transform into crisp, amber-edged pastry gems within 12-15 minutes.
7. Cream Elevation: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla in a chilled vessel until soft, billowy peaks emerge, creating a luxurious cloud-like topping.
8. Shortcake Assembly: Gently bisect cooled biscuits, layering with macerated strawberries and pillowy whipped cream, then crown with additional berries and cream for a stunning presentation.

Notes

• Boost Strawberry Flavor: Macerate strawberries with a splash of balsamic vinegar or orange liqueur to enhance their natural sweetness and complexity.
• Achieve Tender Biscuits: Handle dough minimally and use cold butter to create flaky, light texture that melts in your mouth.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Allow biscuits to cool completely before assembling to maintain crisp base and prevent unwanted moisture absorption.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut whipped cream and use vegan butter in biscuit dough for a plant-based version of this classic dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 384
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 174 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg