Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

There’s just something magical about the first bite of a freshly made strawberry shortcake on a sunny summer afternoon; it’s nostalgic, comforting, and absolutely delicious. If you’ve been searching for the perfect Strawberry Shortcake Recipe, you’re in for a real treat.
This Strawberry Shortcake Recipe brings together three simple elements; sweet and juicy strawberries; tender, buttery buttermilk biscuits; and soft peaks of homemade whipped cream. It’s a classic dessert that feels like something from a fancy bakery, yet it comes together in your own kitchen in just 30 minutes.
What makes this Strawberry Shortcake Recipe truly stand out is how easy it is to make from scratch. No complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients – just pure, homemade goodness that tastes better than anything store-bought.
Whether you're hosting friends or just want to enjoy a beautiful summer dessert, this Strawberry Shortcake Recipe is a go-to favorite you’ll come back to again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Strawberry Shortcake Recipe is everything a summer dessert should be; fresh, light, and full of flavor. Loved since the 1850s, this timeless treat combines sweet strawberries, fluffy biscuits, and rich whipped cream in perfect harmony. What makes this Strawberry Shortcake Recipe so special is the attention to every detail – from the tender, biscuit-style shortcake to the juicy fruit filling.
Unlike overly sweet versions, this Strawberry Shortcake Recipe keeps the balance just right, making it ideal for any occasion. Whether you're serving it with lemonade at a picnic or pairing it with champagne for a celebration, this is the Strawberry Shortcake Recipe you'll come back to all season long.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Expert Tips for the Best Strawberry Shortcake
• Creative Strawberry Shortcake Variations
• Dietary Modifications and Substitutions
• Essential Equipment for Success
• Storage and Meal Prep Tips
• The Secret My Grandma Never Wrote Down
• FAQ
• A Sweet Ending You’ll Want Again and Again
• Related
• Pairing
• Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Shortcake Biscuits:

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cold unsalted butter, cubed
• Cold buttermilk
• Large egg
• Vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Topping:

• Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• Granulated sugar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

For the Homemade Whipped Cream:

• Vanilla extract
• Heavy whipping cream
• Powdered sugar

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare the Strawberry Filling

1. Start by washing and hulling your strawberries, then slice them into ¼-inch thick pieces. In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced strawberries with sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. The amount of sugar depends on how sweet your berries are – taste and adjust accordingly. Let this mixture sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the strawberries to release their natural juices and create a delicious syrup.

Make the Sweet Biscuit Recipe Base

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cold buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a fork until just combined – don't overmix, as this will make your biscuits tough.

Shape and Bake the Shortcakes

1. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a ¾-inch thick rectangle. Using a sharp biscuit cutter or glass, cut straight down without twisting to ensure maximum rise. Place the biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sides barely touching.
2. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For extra golden tops, brush with melted butter before baking.

Whip the Cream to Perfection

1. While the biscuits cool slightly, make your homemade whipped cream. In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium speed until it starts to thicken. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then continue beating until soft peaks form. Don't overbeat, or you'll end up with butter instead of cream.

Expert Tips for the Best Strawberry Shortcake

• Temperature matters: Keep your butter and buttermilk cold for the fluffiest biscuits. Cold ingredients create steam pockets during baking, resulting in better rise and texture.
• Don't overwork the dough: Mix just until ingredients come together. Tough, dense biscuits are usually the result of overmixing.
• Fresh is best: Use strawberries that are bright red, fragrant, and give slightly to pressure. Avoid berries with white shoulders or dark spots.
• Make ahead tip: You can prepare the strawberry mixture up to 4 hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. The longer it sits, the more syrupy it becomes.

Creative Strawberry Shortcake Variations

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Twist

• For a more traditional approach, add ¼ teaspoon almond extract to your biscuit dough and top with a sprinkle of sliced almonds before baking.

Strawberry Shortcake with Cream Cheese

• Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese into your whipped cream for a tangy, cheesecake-like flavor that pairs beautifully with sweet berries.

Easy Mini Strawberry Shortcake

• Use a smaller 2-inch cutter to make individual portions perfect for parties. Reduce baking time to 12-14 minutes.

Berry Sweet Strawberry Shortcake

• Add ½ cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries) to your strawberry mixture for extra color and flavor complexity.

Dietary Modifications and Substitutions

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Add ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend doesn't include it.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut oil instead of butter (chilled until solid) and substitute buttermilk with coconut milk mixed with lemon juice.
• Lower Sugar: Reduce sugar in both the biscuits and strawberry mixture by half, or use a natural sweetener like stevia or maple syrup.
• Vegan Alternative: Replace butter with vegan butter, use plant-based milk, and substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water).

Essential Equipment for Success

• A pastry cutter makes incorporating butter into flour much easier, but you can use two knives or clean hands if needed. A sharp biscuit cutter ensures clean cuts that allow maximum rise – avoid twisting motions that seal the edges.
• An electric mixer creates the fluffiest whipped cream, though you can whip by hand with a whisk if you're feeling ambitious. A large mixing bowl gives you room to fold ingredients gently without overmixing.
• For budget-friendly alternatives, use a clean glass to cut biscuits and a large whisk for mixing dry ingredients.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

• Fresh Storage: Assembled shortcakes are best eaten immediately, but you can store components separately. Keep biscuits covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, strawberries refrigerated for up to 3 days, and whipped cream refrigerated for up to 2 days.
• Freezing Instructions: Unbaked biscuit dough can be cut, placed on a baking sheet, frozen solid, then stored in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Bake biscuits in the morning, prepare strawberries up to 4 hours ahead, and whip cream just before serving for the freshest taste.for X days/weeks/months.

FAQ

A Sweet Ending You’ll Want Again and Again

This Strawberry Shortcake Recipe proves that the most memorable desserts don’t need to be complicated; just fresh strawberries, fluffy biscuits, and real whipped cream coming together in perfect harmony. It’s simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser.
If you’re loving this classic Strawberry Shortcake Recipe, you’ll also enjoy trying our creamy Vanilla Cheesecake Recipe or rich and decadent Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes Recipe – both perfect for rounding out your summer dessert table.
So go ahead, give this Strawberry Shortcake Recipe a try! Let us know how it turns out in the comments below, and don’t forget to rate it. We’d love to see your homemade creations – especially your take on this beloved Strawberry Shortcake Recipe!

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