Delicious homemade strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, a perfect summer dessert.

Delicious Strawberry Shortcake

Sarah

Writer & Blogger

Desserts
April 15, 2025

Delicious Strawberry Shortcake: A Burst of Summer in Every Bite! 🍓🍰☀️

1. Introduction

There’s nothing quite like a classic strawberry shortcake recipe to celebrate the flavors of summer. This delightful dessert combines sweet, juicy strawberries with tender, crumbly shortcakes and a generous dollop of whipped cream. Whether you’re looking for an easy strawberry shortcake for a casual gathering or a homemade strawberry shortcake that will impress your guests, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. It’s a wonderfully versatile dessert, and mastering it opens the door to countless variations. Think beyond just strawberries – other berries, peaches, or even a combination of fruits can create exciting new takes on this classic! Looking for more dessert ideas? Check out these fantastic dessert recipes. This classic strawberry shortcake is a timeless treat that brings joy with every bite. Get ready to indulge in the perfect balance of sweetness and texture that makes this dessert irresistible. If you have questions or want to share your experience, visit our about page!

2. Ingredients for Success

Before you start baking, gather all your ingredients to ensure a smooth and enjoyable process for your strawberry shortcake recipe. Fresh, high-quality ingredients will make all the difference in creating the perfect easy strawberry shortcake. For an authentic taste, source local strawberries when in season! Have you tried other berries? Imagine a blueberry shortcake; find inspiration with our baking recipes. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Strawberries: Fresh strawberries, sugar, lemon juice (optional).
For the Shortcakes: All-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cold unsalted butter, cold heavy cream, vanilla extract.
For the Whipped Cream: Heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract.

3. Preparing the Strawberries

The first step in making a delicious strawberry shortcake recipe is to prepare the strawberries. This process, called maceration, helps to draw out their natural juices and enhance their sweetness, perfect for an easy strawberry shortcake. Maceration not only enhances the flavor but also creates a lovely syrup that soaks into the shortcake, adding another layer of deliciousness. If you’re looking for a quicker dessert, you might enjoy our no-bake eclair cake !

Step 1: Macerating the Strawberries

Wash and hull the strawberries.
Slice them into halves or quarters, depending on their size.
In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice (if using). A little secret? A pinch of salt helps the flavors pop!
Gently toss the strawberries until they are coated with sugar.
Let them sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours, in the refrigerator. This allows the strawberries to release their juices and become deliciously syrupy, ideal for your homemade strawberry shortcake. Feel free to experiment with different types of sugar, like brown sugar, for a richer caramel flavor!

Freshly sliced strawberries macerating in sugar for delicious strawberry shortcake.

4. Making the Shortcakes

The heart of any classic strawberry shortcake lies in the shortcakes themselves. These should be light, tender, and slightly crumbly for the perfect texture. Follow these steps to create the ideal base for your strawberry shortcake recipe. Shortcake perfection lies in the details – ensuring your butter is properly cold is key! Perhaps a delightful brunch idea to accompany this recipe can be found at our breakfast and brunch recipe category.

Step 2: Preparing the Dough

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the flour mixture.
Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This ensures a flaky texture for your easy strawberry shortcake. Don’t have a pastry blender? Two knives work just as well!
Add the cold heavy cream and vanilla extract to the bowl.
Gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough shortcakes in your homemade strawberry shortcake. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a less tender shortcake.

Crumbly dough being made in a stand mixer for homemade strawberry shortcake.

Step 3: Baking the Shortcakes

Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
You can also use a biscuit cutter for a more uniform shape for your classic strawberry shortcake. Consider different shapes for a whimsical touch!
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the shortcakes are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning!
Let them cool on a wire rack before assembling your strawberry shortcake recipe. Cooling them completely prevents the whipped cream from melting too quickly.

Biscuit dough being portioned onto a baking sheet for strawberry shortcake.

5. Whipping the Cream

No strawberry shortcake recipe is complete without a generous topping of freshly whipped cream. This adds a creamy, cool element to balance the sweetness of the strawberries and the crumbly texture of the shortcakes. For a deeper dive into what makes a truly great Strawberry Shortcake, check out this review on allrecipes.com.

Step 4: Preparing the Whipped Cream

In a chilled bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Chilling the bowl helps the cream whip faster and stay stable..
Use an electric mixer to beat the cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, or the cream will become grainy.
Keep the whipped cream refrigerated until ready to assemble your easy strawberry shortcake. This will keep it nice and firm!

Whipped cream being prepared for a classic strawberry shortcake dessert.

6. Assembling the Strawberry Shortcake

Now for the best part – putting it all together! Assembling your homemade strawberry shortcake is quick and easy, and the result is a show-stopping dessert that everyone will love. The assembly process is also a fun opportunity to customize each serving to individual preferences!

Split each shortcake in half.
Spoon a generous amount of the macerated strawberries and their juices over the bottom half of each shortcake.
Top with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Place the top half of the shortcake over the whipped cream.
Add another dollop of whipped cream and a few more strawberries for garnish. This is the perfect finishing touch to your classic strawberry shortcake. A sprinkle of chopped nuts or a dusting of cocoa powder can add an elegant touch.

7. Tips for the Perfect Shortcake

To ensure your strawberry shortcake recipe turns out perfectly every time, here are a few additional tips:

Keep Ingredients Cold: Cold butter and heavy cream are essential for creating flaky, tender shortcakes. Seriously, don’t skip this step!
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can result in tough shortcakes. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Gently does it!
Use Fresh Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries will provide the best flavor and texture for your easy strawberry shortcake. Frozen strawberries can work in a pinch, but fresh is best!
Make Ahead: You can bake the shortcakes and whip the cream ahead of time. Store them separately and assemble just before serving for the freshest taste. This is a great time-saver if you’re preparing for a party.

8. Variations and Additions

While the classic strawberry shortcake is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize this dessert to your liking. Get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations!

Different Berries: Try using a mixture of berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, for a colorful and flavorful twist. A mixed berry shortcake is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds!
Citrus Zest: Add some lemon or orange zest to the shortcake dough for a subtle citrus flavor. It brightens up the flavor profile beautifully..
Almond Extract: A few drops of almond extract in the whipped cream can add a delightful nutty flavor. A little goes a long way!
Grilled Shortcakes: For a smoky flavor, grill the shortcakes for a minute or two on each side before assembling. This adds a unique and unexpected twist.

9. Conclusion

The strawberry shortcake recipe is a timeless dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, anyone can create a stunning and delicious treat. Perhaps you’re looking for something light and refreshing to enjoy with a great summer dessert, check out some amazing salad recipes! Whether you opt for the easy strawberry shortcake version or take the time to make a homemade strawberry shortcake from scratch, the combination of sweet strawberries, tender shortcakes, and creamy whipped cream is sure to delight everyone who tries it. Need something hearty alongside this dessert, visit our recipes featuring either chicken or beef ! So go ahead, bake up a batch of these delightful treats and savor the taste of summer! Enjoy your classic strawberry shortcake! If you’re interested in collaborating or have any questions, feel free to check our work with me page.

Delicious Strawberry Shortcake

Author: Serena Miller
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the classic taste of summer with this easy and delicious strawberry shortcake recipe. Featuring tender, crumbly shortcakes, sweet macerated strawberries, and freshly whipped cream, it’s the perfect homemade dessert.

Ingredients

For the Strawberries: Fresh strawberries, sugar, lemon juice (optional)
For the Shortcakes: All-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cold unsalted butter, cold heavy cream, vanilla extract
For the Whipped Cream: Heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract

Instructions

Macerate the Strawberries: Wash, hull, and slice strawberries. Combine with sugar and lemon juice (optional). Let sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Dough: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs then add heavy cream and vanilla extract. Gently mix until just combined.
Bake the Shortcakes: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.
Prepare the Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to beat until stiff peaks form.
Assemble the Shortcake: Split each shortcake in half. Spoon strawberries and juices over the bottom half. Top with whipped cream. Place the top half of the shortcake over the whipped cream. Add more whipped cream and strawberries for garnish.