Easy Strawberry Shortcake

Looking for a quick and easy dessert? Try this delicious recipe for an easy strawberry shortcake! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can enjoy the classic combination of crumbly cake, sweet strawberries, and whipped cream in no time. Perfect for a summer treat or anytime you're in the mood for something sweet and satisfying.

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

This classic dessert combines fresh berries and rich creamy whipped cream with a crumbly cake. You're going to love this recipe because:

• Nostalgic Flavors. Homemade strawberry shortcake will bring back memories of your childhood summers and is the ultimate comfort dessert.
• Easy Dessert Recipe. This strawberry shortcake recipe is easy to make.
• Great Combination. The combination of berries, whipped cream, and cake complement each other making it a very appetizing dessert.
• Popular Strawberry Dessert: Everyone loves it! This is a favorite dessert every spring and summer.

Need more strawberry desserts in your life? You are going to love our strawberry pie and strawberry cake!

What Is A Strawberry Shortcake?

This classic American dessert has three components a cake which has a texture similar to a biscuit, sweetened strawberries, and whipped cream.

The shortcake is normally made with flour, sugar, baking powder or soda, salt, butter, milk, and sometimes eggs. The dry ingredients are blended, and then butter is cut in until the mixture resembles cornmeal. The liquid ingredients are then mixed in just until moistened, resulting in a shortened dough.

This recipe is an easier variation of the classic shortcake.  We are skipping the butter and the egg - but we will still end up with a flakey, dense biscuit that is perfect for loading up with berries and cream.

Love berries and cake? Then you've got to try this Berry Trifle next!

About The Ingredients

This recipe has a short ingredient list, and a short cook time - making it the perfect dessert for entertaining. All the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. Here are a few items to note:

• Strawberries: Select fresh strawberries with a bright red color all over without white or green spots. The deeper the red color, the riper and sweeter the strawberry will be. Avoid strawberries that are mushy or have soft spots. They should also have nice fresh green tops.
• Confectioner sugar: AKA powdered sugar is used to macerate the strawberries as well as sweeten the whipped cream. It's best because it dissolves more easily than granulated sugar.
• Heavy whipping cream: Heavy cream is a key ingredient used in both the dough and the whipped topping. It has a higher fat content which contributes richness to the biscuits and makes an ultra creamy whipped cream.
• Pantry items: You'll also need some additional items from your pantry including all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, vanilla, and salt.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and amounts.

Variations

• Blueberry Strawberry Shortcake: Use half blueberries and half strawberries to make this version!
• Other Berries: Blackberries, raspberries, or a mixture of berries can be used to make different combinations with added flavor and color.
• Change the Whipped Cream Flavor: Try adding almond or coconut extract to the whipped cream instead of vanilla extract for a delicious twist.
• Angel Food Cake Strawberry Shortcake: Swap the biscuit for your favorite Angel Food Cake. Serve the strawberries over a slice of cake and garnish with whipped cream.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake

Here's a look at the steps for making homemade strawberry shortcake.

• Step 1. Combine the flour, a quarter cup of the sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.  
• Step 2. Mix well. Make sure all ingredients are blended. No one wants a mouthful of baking soda after baking.

• Step 3. Gradually add the cream to the dry ingredients stirring it into the mixture with a fork until clumps form.
• Step 4. Gather dough together but do not knead.  If the dough is too crumbly - add a bit more cream until it sticks together.  
• Step 5. Form the dough into a 6-inch log and cut into slices in 1-inch intervals.
• Step 6. Place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake in your preheated oven for 14-20 minutes until golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

• Step 7. Remove the green tops in the strawberries and cut them into quarters. Place them in a large bowl.
• Step 8. Puree a quarter of the strawberries with confectioner sugar.
• Step 9. Add the pureed berries and sugar to the sliced berries to make the strawberry shortcake topping. Toss the strawberries, cover them, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Pro Tip: Macerating strawberries is the process of soaking them in sugar to release their juices. The sugar draws out the moisture in the strawberries, creating a syrupy sauce. It also softens the fruit and adds sweetness. It's an important step and can't be rushed!

Step 10. Pour the heavy whipping cream into a large mixing bowl. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip using the whisk attachment of your stand mixer until firm peaks form.

• Step 11. When the mini cakes have cooled cut them in half.
• Step 12. To assemble layer one half of the cake, strawberries, whipped cream, and the second half of the cake. Serve immediately.

Expert Tips

• Storing: I don't recommend saving the leftovers if you've already assembled the shortcakes as they won't keep well. To store, keep them separate and store them in airtight containers. The shortcakes can be stored at room temperature with the strawberries and whipped cream in the fridge. Stored separately they will keep for 3 days.
• Texture of the Dough. The dough for the shortcakes is very crumbly. However, if your dough is falling apart so much so that it will shape into a log, then add one teaspoon more whipping cream. The addition of a little moisture will make it stick. I live in a very dry climate and this was necessary for me. If you live in a humid area, this might not be the case. Follow the recipe as written and then adapt slightly as needed.
• Size of the Rolled Dough. When I say make a 6-inch log, I mean six inches! Grab out that ruler to see where you are at. Six inches in length will give you just the right length to cut six rounds. Once these bake they will be just the right size to cut in half--any thinner and they might crumble to pieces.
• Use Ripe Strawberries. Choose ripe and sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
• Slicing the Strawberries. Make sure to slice the strawberries evenly so they are easy to layer.

Strawberry Shortcake FAQs

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