Dreamy Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Sweet strawberry shortcake crafts ordinary desserts into moments of pure culinary delight.

Layers of tender, buttery cake provide the perfect canvas for summer’s most vibrant fruit.

Delicate textures and bright flavors dance together in this classic treat that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Rich cream melts softly between crumbly cake layers, creating a sensory experience that awakens childhood memories.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of sweetness and subtle richness that speaks to comfort and celebration.

Homemade shortcake elevates simple ingredients into a memorable dessert that connects people through shared pleasure.

Strawberry Shortcake That Hits the Sweet Spot

• Craft a Flavor Symphony: This strawberry shortcake delivers an incredible taste explosion, blending sweet sponge cake, tangy strawberry puree, and creamy frosting that dance perfectly on your palate.
• Master a Bakery-Worthy Technique: Creating this dessert teaches advanced baking skills like whipping egg whites to glossy peaks, folding delicate batters, and making multilayered cake components that professional pastry chefs would applaud.
• Impress Without Stress: Despite looking complex, this recipe breaks down each step simply, making it achievable for home bakers with basic kitchen skills while producing a stunning restaurant-quality dessert that looks like you spent hours preparing.
• Celebrate Seasonal Freshness: Showcasing ripe strawberries in multiple forms- as syrup, puree, and fresh fruit- this dessert transforms simple ingredients into an elegant treat perfect for summer gatherings, birthdays, or weekend family celebrations.

Ingredients Checklist for Strawberry Shortcake

• Flour: Fine, soft flour for light and airy cake texture.
• Sugar: Sweet ingredient providing moisture and structure.
• Eggs: Whites and yolks creating volume and richness.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
• Lemon Juice: Stabilizes egg whites during whipping.
• Oil: Adds moisture and softness to cake.
• Water: Helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Vanilla: Provides warm, classic flavor.

• Strawberries: Fresh, sweet fruit for natural flavor and color.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create syrup and puree.
• Water: Base liquid for syrup and puree.
• Cornstarch: Thickens strawberry puree.

• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and stability to frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken cream.
• Cream: Creates light, fluffy texture.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall dessert flavor.

How to Put Together a Perfect Shortcake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Setup

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Cover a 9-inch round pan with parchment paper. Gather all ingredients and equipment.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently whisk these dry ingredients until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Whip Magical Egg Whites

In a clean mixer bowl, beat egg whites with a splash of lemon juice. Gradually sprinkle sugar while whipping until glossy, firm peaks form. Set aside carefully.

Step 4: Craft Yolk Mixture

• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and well-blended.

Step 5: Combine Cake Batter

Gently fold flour mixture into yolk mixture in three separate additions. Carefully fold in whipped egg whites. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Step 6: Bake Golden Cake

Slide pan into preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and springy. Let cool completely on wire rack.

Step 7: Develop Strawberry Syrup

• Water
• Sugar
• Fresh strawberries

Heat until sugar dissolves. Cool and strain.

Step 8: Create Strawberry Puree

Cook strawberries with sugar until juicy. Mix cornstarch with water, add to berries. Boil briefly. Blend until smooth.

Step 9: Whip Dreamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Gradually add heavy cream. Whip until stiff peaks form.

Step 10: Assemble Spectacular Cake

Slice cake into three horizontal layers. Brush each layer with strawberry syrup. Layer with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Cover entire cake with remaining cream.

Step 11: Decorate and Finish

Drizzle strawberry puree over cake. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed chilled, with extra strawberries on the side.

Sweet Tips for Better Strawberry Shortcake

• Whip with Precision: Ensure egg whites reach stiff, glossy peaks by adding sugar gradually and using room temperature eggs for maximum volume.
• Fold Gently: Use a spatula to fold flour and egg whites carefully, maintaining air bubbles for a light, fluffy sponge cake texture.
• Syrup Soak Strategy: Brush each cake layer evenly with strawberry simple syrup to enhance moisture and intensify fruit flavor.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and cream to set properly.
• Decorative Touch: Use fresh strawberry slices and a drizzle of puree to create an elegant, professional-looking dessert that impresses guests.

Best Ways to Store and Revive Strawberry Shortcake

• Refrigeration: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Freezing: Slice cake before freezing for easier portioning. Place individual slices in freezer-safe containers or wrap securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore soft texture and enhance flavor.

Drinks and Sides to Pair with Strawberry Shortcake

• Complement Creamy Sweetness: Pair this luscious strawberry shortcake with a crisp prosecco or champagne. The bubbly wine's light acidity cuts through the rich cream and balances the dessert's sweetness perfectly.
• Brew a Refreshing Match: Serve alongside a chilled Earl Grey tea or a lavender-infused iced tea. These delicate tea flavors enhance the strawberry's natural brightness and provide a sophisticated counterpoint to the cake's richness.
• Coffee Companion: Choose a smooth cold brew or a light cappuccino. The coffee's subtle bitterness creates a delightful contrast with the cake's sweet and fruity profile, making each bite more interesting and complex.
• Fresh Fruit Finale: Add a small side of fresh berries or a citrus sorbet. These light, tangy accompaniments cleanse the palate and provide a refreshing counterbalance to the dense, creamy dessert.

Strawberry Shortcake Variations You’ll Love Trying

• Berry Bliss Shortcake: Replace strawberries with a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant, multi-berry sensation that bursts with summer flavors.
• Lemon Lavender Dream: Infuse the simple syrup with dried lavender and add lemon zest to the cake batter, creating an elegant, aromatic dessert with floral undertones.
• Chocolate Lover's Paradise: Fold cocoa powder into the cake batter and replace some of the cream with chocolate ganache, transforming the classic shortcake into a rich, decadent treat.
• Tropical Sunrise: Swap strawberries for fresh mango and passion fruit, adding a touch of coconut extract to the whipped cream for a Caribbean-inspired version that transports you to a sunny beach.

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry shortcake brings classic Southern comfort to dessert tables nationwide. Layers of buttery biscuit, fresh strawberries, and pillowy whipped cream create a perfect balance of textures that welcome you into pure summer bliss.

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Ingredients

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Strawberry Shortcake Ingredients

Cake Base:

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ⅔ cups (236 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) warm water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar

Fruit and Syrup:

• 1 lb (454 g) fresh strawberries, sliced
• ½ lb (227 g) strawberries for puree
• ¾ cup (180 ml) water for simple syrup
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar for simple syrup
• ½ cup sliced strawberries for simple syrup
• 3 tablespoons sugar for puree
• ½ tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water for puree

Cream Topping:

• 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese
• 4 cups cold heavy whipping cream
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 9-inch cake pan by lining it with parchment paper and preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Combine dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Whip egg whites with lemon juice until foamy, gradually incorporating sugar until stiff, glossy peaks develop.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar until light and fluffy, then gently incorporate oil, water, and vanilla extract.
5. Carefully fold flour mixture into yolk mixture in thirds, alternating with egg white mixture to maintain airy texture.
6. Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and springy to touch.
7. Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Create strawberry simple syrup by simmering water, sugar, and strawberries until sugar dissolves, then cool and strain.
9. Prepare strawberry puree by cooking strawberries with sugar, thickening with cornstarch slurry, then blending until smooth.
10. Chill mixing bowl and whisk before creating whipped cream frosting by beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
11. Gradually incorporate heavy cream, whipping until stiff peaks form.
12. Carefully slice cooled cake into three horizontal layers.
13. Brush each layer generously with prepared strawberry simple syrup.
14. Layer cake with whipped cream frosting and fresh strawberries between each section.
15. Cover entire cake with remaining whipped cream frosting.
16. Drizzle strawberry puree over top for final decorative touch.
17. Refrigerate briefly to set before serving.

Notes

• Achieve a light, airy sponge cake by carefully folding egg whites without deflating the delicate mixture.
• Chilling your mixing bowl and whisk helps create extra-stable whipped cream with perfect peaks.
• Reserve some fresh strawberries for beautiful top decoration to elevate the visual appeal of your dessert.
• Make the simple syrup and strawberry puree a day ahead to save time during assembly and enhance flavor melding.
• Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother mixing and better incorporation of components in both cake and frosting.
• Brush cake layers generously with strawberry syrup to keep the sponge moist and infuse intense fruity flavor throughout.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg