Strawberry Shortcake

Article By: Krissy Downey  

Nothing says summer quite like strawberry shortcake, and this picture-perfect version is as tasty as it looks. Crisp and flaky on the outside and tender on the inside, the shortcake is crowned with juicy strawberries and freshly whipped cream. You’ll come back to this recipe again and again; read on for smart tips and tricks.

What Is Shortcake?

What is shortcake and how does it differ from regular cake? While classic cake is light and airy, shortcake is closer in texture to a biscuit. You create a thicker dough, rather than batter, and the resulting texture is crispy on the outside to stand up to the juices of the strawberries.

How To Make Strawberry Shortcake Like a Pro

Start with fresh strawberries. If possible, make this recipe in the late spring or summer when you have access to in-season, fresh strawberries. They’re so much sweeter and juicier than the clamshell version from the supermarket. The shortcake dough in this recipe is sweet but not too sweet, because it’s designed to be layered with fresh, sweet-on-their-own strawberries.

Don’t overmix the shortcake dough. Mix the dough by hand with a wooden spoon so you don’t overmix it. Mix until the dough looks wet and a little bit sticky. Just-mixed dough yields light and flaky shortcake.

Macerate the strawberries. Toss strawberries in sugar and refrigerate the mixture to allow the juices to develop. After at least 30 minutes, the bowl of strawberries will be sitting in a syrupy strawberry liquid.

Save time by baking one big shortcake. Many shortcake recipes ask you to individually shape each shortcake, which takes time and effort. This recipe offers a smart workaround: you bake the shortcake in one baking dish and then cut it into individual servings.

Use cold cream to make whipped cream. Homemade whipped cream takes this dish over the top. Start with cold heavy cream and a cold bowl to ensure that the whipped cream stiffens quickly. You can make whipped cream by hand with a whisk, but a stand mixer makes the job even faster. To add complexity, mix in some vanilla and lemon zest.

What Does it Mean to Macerate Fruit?

Sugar attracts moisture, so tossing berries with sugar and allowing the mixture to sit will draw the natural fruit juice from the berries. The process breaks down the fruit and makes it softer and sweeter. It also creates a natural fruit syrup (no cooking necessary!) that adds a little extra sweetness and texture to any dessert.

Can I Substitute Other Berries?

While strawberries are the classic choice, you can absolutely use other berries here. Raspberries, blackberries or any other berry would be just as delicious with the shortcake recipe. We even love the idea of creating a mixed berry shortcake by using several different kinds of berries instead of just strawberries.