Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is a classic dessert combining sweet, juicy strawberries, fluffy homemade shortcake, and light whipped cream. Easy to prepare in under an hour using simple ingredients, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures perfect for any occasion. This recipe is customizable for various dietary preferences and presents beautifully for memorable desserts.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour substitution)
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for dough)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Topping
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for macerating strawberries)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash and slice the fresh strawberries into even pieces. Toss them with 2 tablespoons of sugar and let them sit for about 20 minutes to macerate, drawing out their natural juices and sweetness.
- Make the Shortcake Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut the cold unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring a flaky texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gently stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough soft and sticky without making the cake tough.
- Bake the Shortcakes: Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or shape into rounds gently. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until the tops turn golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before assembling.
- Whip the Cream: Chill a mixing bowl and beaters in the refrigerator beforehand. Whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, producing a light and airy whipped topping.
- Assemble Your Strawberry Shortcake: Slice the baked shortcakes horizontally in half. Layer the bottom half with a generous spoonful of the macerated strawberries and their syrup, followed by a dollop of whipped cream. Place the top half of the shortcake over the filling and add more strawberries and cream on top to finish.
Notes
- Use ripe strawberries for the best sweetness and juiciness.
- Do not overmix the shortcake dough to keep it light and flaky.
- Chill bowls and beaters before whipping cream for better stability.
- Prepare strawberries and shortcakes ahead of time to simplify assembly.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with milk and a splash of lemon juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shortcake with strawberries and cream
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Strawberry Shortcake, dessert, berries, whipped cream, cake, homemade, easy dessert