Irresistibly Sweet Strawberry Shortcake Recipe to Make at Home

Sweet and luscious strawberry shortcake is a classic dessert that captures the essence of summer flavors.

This favorite treat features soft, tender cake paired with juicy, ripe strawberries and fluffy whipped cream.

Bakers have cherished this dessert for generations, creating special moments with its simple yet irresistible ingredients.

The delicate layers of cake, fresh fruit, and creamy topping come together to create a delightful experience that people of all ages enjoy.

Strawberry shortcake strikes the perfect balance between rustic homestyle baking and elegant dessert presentation.

Its roots go back to traditional American and European recipes, making it a timeless choice loved by many around the world.

Strawberry Shortcake Ingredient Breakdown

• Flour: Provides structure and base for tender, flaky biscuits. All-purpose flour works best.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent for light and fluffy texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the biscuit base. Granulated or raw sugar recommended.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Creates rich, flaky layers. Cold and grated for best results.
• Buttermilk: Contributes tangy flavor and helps create tender crumb. Whole buttermilk preferred.
• Mascarpone: Adds creamy, luxurious texture to whipped cream. High-fat Italian cheese.
• Heavy Cream: Provides structure and volume for whipped cream. Full-fat version ideal.

• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries are key for vibrant flavor. Look for seasonal, local varieties.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright citrus notes that complement strawberries.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener with complex flavor for whipped cream.
• Vanilla: Adds warm, aromatic depth to whipped cream. Pure extract recommended.
• Raw Sugar: Provides crunchy texture and additional sweetness for biscuit topping.

How To Prepare Strawberry Shortcake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

• Warm the oven to 425°F
• Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper

Step 2: Create Fluffy Biscuit Dough

Whisk dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Grate cold butter into the mixture and work until it looks like coarse crumbs. Slowly pour buttermilk and stir until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough to a floured surface and gently fold into a rectangle. Repeat folding process to create delicate layers. Let dough rest for half an hour. Roll out and slice into 8 equal pieces. Position biscuits close together on the baking sheet. Brush tops with extra buttermilk and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake until golden and beautiful, about 12-15 minutes. Allow biscuits to cool completely.

Step 3: Transform Strawberries

Slice fresh strawberries and combine with sugar and lemon juice. Gently toss and let sit to release sweet juices.

Step 4: Whip up Creamy Clouds

Blend mascarpone, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Whip until soft peaks form, creating a luxurious cream.

Step 5: Build Heavenly Shortcakes

Carefully split each biscuit. Layer with whipped cream and macerated strawberries. Crown with the top biscuit half and an extra dollop of cream. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of summer flavors.

Helpful Tips For Strawberry Shortcake

• Boost Biscuit Flakiness: Freeze butter before grating to ensure ultra-cold butter creates more tender, layered biscuits with maximum flakiness.
• Strawberry Maceration Magic: Let strawberries sit with sugar for at least 15 minutes to release natural juices and intensify their sweet, tangy flavor.
• Cream Whipping Pro Tip: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk beforehand to help mascarpone and cream whip faster and hold peaks more effectively.
• Customization Hack: Swap maple syrup with honey or adjust sugar levels to make the dessert less sweet or accommodate different dietary preferences.
• Storage Strategy: Assemble shortcakes just before serving to prevent biscuits from getting soggy, keeping the texture crisp and delightful.

How To Keep And Reheat Strawberry Shortcake

• Refrigerate: Store assembled strawberry shortcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 hours. Keep separate components like biscuits, macerated strawberries, and whipped cream in individual sealed containers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
• Cool Down: Allow shortcakes to reach room temperature before storing to prevent soggy biscuits and condensation buildup.
• Separate Components: Keep whipped cream, biscuits, and strawberries separate until serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Reheat Carefully: Gently warm biscuits in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve their flaky texture. Reassemble with fresh whipped cream and strawberries just before serving.

What Tastes Good With Strawberry Shortcake

• Refreshing Beverage Boost: Pair with a crisp rosé wine or chilled champagne to complement the sweet strawberries and rich mascarpone cream. The light bubbles and subtle fruit notes perfectly balance the dessert's richness.
• Complementary Sidekick: Serve alongside a small scoop of lavender honey ice cream to enhance the strawberry's natural sweetness and add an elegant herbal undertone. The cold, creamy texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, flaky biscuit.
• Palate-Cleansing Partner: Add a small glass of sparkling lemon water with fresh mint to cut through the dessert's richness and refresh the palate between bites. The citrus notes will brighten the overall flavor experience.
• Unexpected Accent: Include a small portion of candied lemon peel or almond brittle on the side to provide a crunchy texture and subtle nutty or citrus accent that elevates the dessert's complexity.

Different Styles Of Strawberry Shortcake

• Gluten-Free Shortcake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic texture.
• Vegan Berry Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil, use coconut cream instead of mascarpone, and replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Berry Shortcake: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use fresh berries without added sugar, and opt for a light whipped cream made with Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
• Dairy-Free Summer Treat: Create biscuits using coconut milk, replace mascarpone with cashew cream, and top with coconut whipped cream for those avoiding dairy products.

Questions About Strawberry Shortcake

• What makes the biscuits flaky?

The repeated rolling and folding technique creates multiple butter layers, similar to puff pastry, which results in extra flaky and tender biscuits.

• Can I substitute buttermilk?

Yes, you can make a quick buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

• How ripe should my strawberries be?

Choose strawberries that are bright red, fragrant, and firm with no white or green areas. Ripe strawberries will have the best flavor for macerating and provide natural sweetness.

• Why add lemon zest to the biscuits?

Lemon zest adds a subtle citrusy brightness that complements the sweet strawberries and enhances the overall flavor profile of the shortcake.

Why Strawberry Shortcake Feels So Special

• Quick-to-Make Dessert: Simple steps transform basic ingredients into an impressive strawberry shortcake with minimal kitchen effort.
• Texture-Perfect Layers: Folding technique creates incredibly flaky, tender biscuits that provide delightful buttery crunch against soft whipped cream and juicy strawberries.
• Restaurant-Quality Elegance: Professional-level dessert that looks sophisticated but requires only standard home cooking skills, making anyone feel like a skilled pastry chef.
• Versatile Seasonal Treat: Adaptable recipe that shines with peak summer strawberries but can be enjoyed year-round using fresh or frozen fruit variations.

Heavenly Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet summer memories bloom with classic Strawberry Shortcake, blending tender biscuits and luscious berries into a nostalgic dessert. Delicate layers of buttery goodness and fresh fruit invite you to savor each blissful bite of this timeless American treat.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) baking powder
• 3 tablespoons (45 g) sugar
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 lemon, zested

Dairy and Butter Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (56 g) cold unsalted butter, grated
• ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk
• 1 cup (240 ml) mascarpone cheese
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• ⅓ cup (70 g) granulated sugar
• Raw sugar, for sprinkling
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Fresh Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pints fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 egg yolk + 2 teaspoons (10 ml) water (for egg wash)

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Instructions

1. Gather essential baking equipment including a baking sheet, parchment paper, mixing bowls, and stand mixer.
2. Create a delicate dough by combining dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, incorporating finely grated cold butter until texture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
3. Gradually introduce buttermilk, gently folding until a shaggy dough emerges, being careful not to overmix.
4. Transfer dough onto a generously floured surface, executing a precise lamination technique by rolling, folding, and resting to develop buttery, ethereal layers.
5. Carefully slice dough into uniform rectangular portions, positioning them snugly on prepared parchment-lined sheet.
6. Apply a delicate brushstroke of buttermilk across biscuit surfaces, then dust with sparkling raw sugar for a crisp, caramelized finish.
7. Slide baking sheet into preheated oven, allowing biscuits to transform into golden, puffy delicacies over 12-15 minutes.
8. While biscuits cool, macerate strawberries by gently tumbling sliced fruit with sugar and citrus juice, coaxing out their vibrant crimson juices.
9. Whip mascarpone and cream into a luxurious cloud-like mixture, incorporating maple syrup, vanilla, and a whisper of salt.
10. Construct individual shortcakes by bisecting warm biscuits, layering with billowing cream and jewel-like macerated strawberries.
11. Crown each creation with remaining biscuit halves and an additional dollop of whipped cream, serving immediately to preserve textural perfection.

Notes

• Adjust flour measurement precisely for consistent biscuit texture, using a kitchen scale for accuracy.
• Freeze butter before grating to create ultrafine, evenly distributed cold butter pieces that ensure maximum flakiness.
• Handle dough minimally during folding to prevent gluten development, which keeps biscuits tender and light.
• Experiment with alternative sweeteners like honey or agave for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Substitute gluten-

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg