Nothing says « summer dessert » quite like a classic strawberry shortcake. With its tender, buttery biscuits, juicy fresh strawberries, and clouds of sweet whipped cream, it’s a treat that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly light. In this easy strawberry shortcake guide, you’ll learn exactly how to create this beloved dessert step-by-step — no complicated techniques needed! Whether you’re making it for a casual family gathering or a festive celebration, this easy strawberry shortcake recipe will be your go-to. Get ready to impress your guests with homemade shortcake that’s fluffy, flavorful, and bursting with fresh strawberry goodness!
When it comes to creating a truly unforgettable strawberry shortcake, a few key elements make all the difference. It’s not just about piling strawberries on a biscuit — it’s about the harmony of textures and flavors coming together in every bite.
1. Fluffy, Tender Shortcake:
The foundation of any great strawberry shortcake is the shortcake itself. A perfect shortcake should be slightly crisp on the outside and tender, fluffy on the inside. It should have a buttery flavor with just a hint of sweetness, complementing the juicy strawberries without overpowering them. Using cold butter, fresh baking powder, and minimal handling of the dough helps achieve that signature lightness.
2. Fresh, Juicy Strawberries:
The strawberries are the heart of the dessert. Fresh, ripe strawberries deliver the best flavor and natural sweetness. To elevate them even more, it’s essential to macerate the berries — simply toss them with a little sugar and let them sit for a while. This process draws out the juices, creating a naturally sweet syrup that soaks deliciously into the shortcake layers.
3. Light, Sweetened Whipped Cream:
No strawberry shortcake is complete without a generous topping of whipped cream. For the best results, whip heavy cream until it forms soft, airy peaks. Sweeten it lightly with sugar and add a splash of vanilla extract for extra depth of flavor. The whipped cream should be smooth and billowy, adding a luxurious texture to each bite.
Ingredients Needed for Easy Strawberry Shortcake
Before you dive into baking, it’s important to gather all the right ingredients. A truly easy strawberry shortcake starts with simple, fresh components that come together to create a dessert that’s both light and bursting with flavor. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
Fresh Strawberries and How to Choose the Best
The star of your strawberry shortcake is, of course, the strawberries. Always opt for fresh, ripe strawberries — they should be deep red, shiny, and fragrant. Avoid strawberries that are overly firm, white-tipped, or dull, as they tend to be underripe and less flavorful. If possible, buy your strawberries from a local farmer’s market when they’re in season for the sweetest, juiciest berries.
Before using them, wash the strawberries gently and hull them (remove the green tops). Slice them evenly and toss them with a little sugar to help draw out their natural juices — this simple step, called macerating, creates a delicious syrup that will soak beautifully into your shortcake layers.
Essential Shortcake Ingredients (Flour, Baking Powder, Buttermilk)
The shortcake layer is just as important as the strawberries. Here’s what you’ll need to make soft, fluffy shortcakes from scratch:
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the biscuit, providing structure while keeping it light.
- Baking Powder: A generous amount of baking powder ensures that the biscuits rise properly and have a tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch is added to the dough for a subtle sweetness.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the flavors and enhances the sweetness of the strawberries.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: Cold butter is key for flaky layers — when baked, the butter creates steam pockets, making the shortcake light and airy.
- Buttermilk: The acidity of buttermilk reacts with the baking powder to create extra lift. It also adds a slight tangy flavor that perfectly complements the sweet strawberries.
- Vanilla Extract (optional): For a warm, comforting aroma and flavor that ties all the elements together.
For a shortcut, some people use store-bought biscuits, but making your own homemade shortcake is what truly sets this dessert apart!
Homemade Sweetened Whipped Cream Basics
While you can technically use canned whipped cream, making it fresh at home is incredibly easy and elevates the entire dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Heavy Cream (or Heavy Whipping Cream): This whips into a rich, fluffy topping.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness without making the whipped cream grainy.
- Vanilla Extract: A small splash of vanilla gives the whipped cream a beautiful depth of flavor.
Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks — you want it to hold its shape but still look billowy and soft.
Optional Add-ins for Extra Flavor
If you want to personalize your strawberry shortcake even more, consider these optional ingredients:
- Lemon Zest: Adds a fresh brightness to the shortcake or the strawberry mixture.
- Almond Extract: A few drops in the whipped cream can add a sweet, nutty depth.
- Mint Leaves: Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: A light drizzle of melted chocolate over the top for an elegant twist.
Having all your ingredients prepped and ready makes assembling your easy strawberry shortcake a breeze — and ensures that each bite is pure, sweet perfection!
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Strawberry Shortcake
Making a delicious strawberry shortcake from scratch is easier than you might think! Follow these simple steps to create a dessert that’s light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. Here’s exactly how to do it:
Preparing the Strawberries (Macerating for Extra Juiciness)
The first step is prepping the strawberries. Fresh strawberries shine in this dessert, but giving them a little extra love makes a huge difference:
- Wash and hull about 1 pound of fresh strawberries.
- Slice them evenly to ensure they layer beautifully in your shortcake.
- Toss the sliced berries with 2–3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
- Let them sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. This process, called maceration, draws out the natural juices and creates a sweet syrup that’s perfect for soaking into the shortcake.
This quick trick makes your strawberries juicy, sweet, and utterly irresistible!
Making the Perfect Shortcake Biscuits
While the strawberries are macerating, it’s time to make your shortcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt, and a little sugar.
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Keeping the butter cold is key to achieving fluffy, flaky shortcakes.
- Add buttermilk (and a splash of vanilla extract if desired), stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing, or your biscuits may turn out tough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it into a rectangle about 1-inch thick.
- Cut out biscuits using a round cutter (or simply slice into squares for a rustic look).
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the biscuits are cooked through.
The result? Tender, buttery shortcakes that are sturdy enough to hold all that juicy fruit and whipped cream!
Whipping the Cream to Soft Peaks
While the shortcakes cool slightly, whip up your fresh cream:
- Pour heavy cream into a chilled mixing bowl.
- Add powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract.
- Whip on medium-high speed until soft peaks form — meaning the cream holds its shape but still looks smooth and billowy.
Fresh whipped cream takes just minutes to make and tastes so much better than store-bought!
Assembling the Shortcake Like a Pro
Now comes the fun part — putting it all together!
- Slice the shortcakes in half horizontally with a serrated knife.
- Layer on the strawberries (along with some of the delicious syrup) onto the bottom half.
- Add a generous dollop of whipped cream over the strawberries.
- Top with the other half of the shortcake and add another little spoonful of strawberries and whipped cream if you like.
For an extra touch, garnish with a fresh strawberry or a sprig of mint on top.
Serve your homemade easy strawberry shortcake immediately for the best taste and texture — the combination of warm shortcake, cool cream, and juicy strawberries is simply unbeatable!
strawberry shortcake
Ingrédients
For the Strawberries:
- 1 lb 450g fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Shortcakes:
- 2 cups 250g all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup 50g granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup 115g cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 2/3 cup 160ml buttermilk (plus extra if needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup 240ml heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Strawberries:
- In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries and 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Toss well and set aside to macerate while you prepare the rest.
Make the Shortcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add buttermilk and vanilla extract, stirring just until combined.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
- Cut out 6 biscuits using a round cutter or knife. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
Make the Whipped Cream:
- In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Assemble the Strawberry Shortcakes:
- Slice the shortcakes in half horizontally.
- Spoon a generous amount of strawberries and their juices onto the bottom halves.
- Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Place the top halves of the biscuits over the cream. Add extra strawberries and whipped cream on top if desired.
Serve Immediately:
- Enjoy your homemade strawberry shortcake while the shortcakes are slightly warm and the strawberries are juicy!