Sweet & Fluffy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe: A Classic Summer Joy

Sweet summer memories bloom with this classic strawberry shortcake that whispers comfort and joy.

Juicy berries dance atop pillowy biscuits, creating a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen spark to life with each tender bite.

Layers of soft, buttery pastry complement the bright, fresh strawberries perfectly.

Delicate crumbs melt on your tongue, releasing bursts of sweet-tart flavor.

Simplicity meets elegance in this timeless treat that connects generations.

Reasons to Savor Strawberry Shortcake

• Create Luxurious Layers: Crafting flaky, folded biscuits brings professional bakery-level texture right to your kitchen, making every bite feel like a gourmet experience.
• Customize with Seasonal Flair: Fresh strawberries transform this classic dessert into a vibrant celebration of summer, allowing endless variations with different fruits and toppings.
• Master Impressive Technique: The unique butter-folding method creates incredibly tender biscuits that elevate your baking skills without requiring professional training.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for gatherings, this recipe delivers a show-stopping sweet treat that looks complicated but comes together surprisingly simply, impressing family and friends with minimal effort.

Ingredients Needed for Strawberry Shortcake

• All-Purpose Flour: The base ingredient that provides structure and texture to the shortcake.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the biscuits rise and become light and fluffy.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning of the biscuits.
• Lemon Zest: Brings a bright, citrusy flavor to enhance the biscuit's taste.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the biscuits.
• Butter: Creates rich, flaky layers and adds delicious buttery flavor.
• Buttermilk: Provides tenderness and helps activate the baking powder.
• Raw Sugar: Adds a crunchy, sweet topping to the biscuits.

• Strawberries: The star ingredient that brings fresh, sweet flavor to the dessert.
• Sugar: Helps draw out the natural juices of the strawberries.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the strawberries' flavor and prevents browning.

• Mascarpone, Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, smooth, and luxurious whipped cream.
• Maple Syrup: Adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Vanilla: Provides a classic, warm flavor to the whipped cream.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness of the cream.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake

Step 1: Create Buttery Biscuit Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Grate cold butter into the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Slowly pour in buttermilk and stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and begin the folding technique to create flaky layers.

Step 2: Develop Layered Biscuit Texture

Gently roll the dough into a rectangular shape. Fold the dough into thirds like a letter, then rotate and roll out again.

Repeat the folding process one more time. Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to relax the gluten and enhance flavor.

Step 3: Shape and Prepare Biscuits

Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out the rested dough and cut into 8 equal pieces. Arrange the biscuits close together on the prepared baking sheet.

Brush the tops with additional buttermilk and sprinkle with raw sugar for a crunchy exterior.

Step 4: Bake Golden Biscuits

Bake the biscuits for 12-15 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 5: Prepare Juicy Strawberry Mixture

• Sliced strawberries
• Granulated sugar
• Fresh lemon juice

Gently toss the ingredients and let sit to release natural juices and create a sweet, syrupy mixture.

Step 6: Whip Luxurious Cream Topping

• Mascarpone cheese
• Heavy cream
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Whip until soft, billowy peaks form, creating a rich and decadent cream.

Step 7: Construct Dreamy Shortcakes

Carefully split each biscuit in half.

Layer the bottom half with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a spoonful of macerated strawberries. Place the top biscuit half and crown with additional whipped cream and strawberries.

Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Tips for Flawless Strawberry Shortcake

• Grate frozen butter directly into flour mixture to create ultra-light, tender biscuits with exceptional layers and texture.
• Handle biscuit dough minimally and fold gently to maintain delicate structure and avoid developing excess gluten.
• Let strawberries sit with sugar for at least 15 minutes to draw out natural juices and intensify their sweet, bright flavor.
• Ensure mascarpone and heavy cream are slightly chilled but not cold to achieve perfect whipped cream consistency.
• Assemble shortcakes just before serving to keep biscuits crisp and prevent soggy bottoms from macerated strawberry liquid.

Different Takes on Strawberry Shortcake

• Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake: Replace biscuit recipe with cocoa powder mixed into flour, add chocolate chips to dough. Top with chocolate shavings and drizzle melted dark chocolate over the final dessert.
• Lavender Berry Shortcake: Infuse biscuit dough with dried lavender flowers. Use mixed berries instead of just strawberries. Swap maple syrup with honey in whipped cream for a floral undertone.
• Almond Crunch Shortcake: Add ground almonds to biscuit flour mixture. Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds between layers and on top. Replace mascarpone with almond cream cheese for extra nutty flavor.

Pairings That Go Well with Strawberry Shortcake

• Sip Sparkling Rosé Wine: Light, crisp wine complements the sweet strawberries and creamy mascarpone, enhancing the dessert's delicate flavors with elegant bubbles.
• Brew Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Floral tea notes beautifully match the lemon zest in biscuits and provide a sophisticated, refreshing contrast to the rich dessert.
• Craft Lemon Sorbet Companion: Serve a small scoop of tangy lemon sorbet alongside the shortcake to cleanse the palate and add a bright, zesty counterpoint to the sweet strawberries.

Best Storage for Strawberry Shortcake

Store assembled shortcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep separate components like biscuits, strawberries, and whipped cream in individual sealed containers to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.

Wrap cooled biscuits individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Warm refrigerated or thawed biscuits in a 350F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture loss.

For best taste and texture, reassemble shortcakes with fresh whipped cream and macerated strawberries just before serving to enjoy maximum flavor and crunch.

FAQs

• Why use buttermilk in the biscuit dough?

Buttermilk helps create tender, flaky biscuits by adding moisture and slight acidity that breaks down gluten, resulting in a softer texture.

• Can I make the biscuits ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the biscuit dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking, which can help develop better flavor and texture.

• How do I know when the biscuits are perfectly baked?

Look for a golden brown color on the edges and top, and a slight resistance when gently pressed in the center. They should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sweet summer memories bloom with this classic Strawberry Shortcake, a delightful dessert that marries buttery biscuits with luscious, ripe berries and pillowy whipped cream. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each heavenly bite of this timeless treat that brings joy to any gathering.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Baking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons water
• Raw sugar (for sprinkling)

Flavoring and Sweeteners:

• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Create biscuit base by combining dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Incorporate grated cold butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Gradually add buttermilk, stirring until a soft dough forms.
5. Transfer dough onto a floured surface and gently fold into a rectangle, creating multiple layers by folding into thirds.
6. Allow dough to rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator to enhance texture.
7. Roll out dough and cut into 8 equal pieces, positioning them closely on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Brush biscuits with additional buttermilk and sprinkle raw sugar on top.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crisp, then remove and cool completely.
10. Prepare strawberries by slicing and mixing with sugar and lemon juice, letting them release juices for 15 minutes.
11. Whip mascarpone, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until soft peaks form.
12. Carefully split each cooled biscuit horizontally.
13. Layer bottom half with mascarpone cream and macerated strawberries.
14. Crown with top biscuit half and additional whipped cream.
15. Serve immediately to enjoy optimal texture and freshness.

Notes

• Chill butter thoroughly before grating to ensure the most flaky, tender biscuits with perfect texture.
• Folding technique creates delicate, layered biscuits by trapping tiny butter pockets that create incredible rise and lightness.
• Consider using gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring the same tender crumb and delicious result.
• Swap maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for alternative sweetening options that complement the strawberries’ natural sweetness.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg