There’s something timeless and joyful about strawberry shortcake. It feels like sunshine on a plate, soft, buttery cake layered with juicy, slightly tangy strawberries and clouds of lightly sweetened cream. It’s the kind of dessert that feels elegant but comforting at the same time.
Strawberry shortcake is often associated with warm afternoons, family gatherings, and simple celebrations where dessert doesn’t need to be overly complicated to feel special. The beauty of this cake lies in its balance, tender cake, fresh fruit brightness, and airy whipped cream working together in every bite. Despite its bakery-style appearance, strawberry shortcake is surprisingly easy to make at home. With fresh strawberries, a soft vanilla cake base, and homemade whipped cream, you can create a dessert that looks impressive but feels wonderfully homemade.
Once you master this recipe, strawberry shortcake quickly becomes a go-to dessert for birthdays, weekend treats, or anytime strawberries are in season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake Base
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk
For the Strawberry Filling
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2–3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, enhances flavor)
For the Whipped Cream
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Kitchen Tools
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• 8-inch cake pan or baking dish
• Spatula
• Knife or cake slicer
• Cooling rack
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake
1. Prepare the Strawberries
Start with the star of the dessert.
Place sliced strawberries into a bowl and sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice. Stir gently and allow them to sit for 20–30 minutes. This process, called maceration, draws out the strawberries’ natural juices and creates a sweet, syrupy filling.
By the time your cake is ready, the strawberries will be soft, glossy, and packed with flavor.
2. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 175°C / 350°F. Grease and line your cake pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
This step helps evenly distribute the rising agents, giving your cake a consistent, fluffy texture.
4. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light, pale, and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the batter, helping create a soft, tender cake.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Mix gently until just combined.
Avoid overmixing, this keeps the cake soft and prevents it from becoming dense.
6. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface evenly.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely before assembling. Cooling prevents the whipped cream from melting and keeps layers stable.
7. Prepare the Whipped Cream
In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
The whipped cream should be light, fluffy, and smooth, soft enough to spread but firm enough to hold shape between layers.
8. Assemble the Strawberry Shortcake
Once the cake has cooled, slice it horizontally into two layers.
• Spread whipped cream over the bottom layer
• Add a generous layer of macerated strawberries
• Place the second cake layer on top
• Finish with more whipped cream and strawberries for decoration
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Tips for Perfect Strawberry Shortcake
• Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best natural flavor
• Chill your mixing bowl before whipping cream for better volume
• Don’t skip macerating the strawberries, it enhances sweetness and texture
• Assemble shortly before serving to maintain freshness
• For extra flavor, brush the cake layers lightly with strawberry syrup
Fun Variations
Biscuit-Style Shortcake : Use sweet biscuits instead of sponge cake for a more traditional shortcake texture.
Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake : Add cocoa powder to the cake batter for a chocolate twist.
Mixed Berry Shortcake : Combine strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a colorful variation.
Mini Strawberry Shortcakes : Make individual portions using cupcakes or small biscuit rounds.
Strawberry shortcake is proof that simple ingredients can create unforgettable desserts. The combination of buttery cake, juicy strawberries, and airy whipped cream delivers a dessert that feels both nostalgic and refreshing. Beyond its beautiful presentation, strawberry shortcake offers a naturally balanced sweetness thanks to fresh fruit, making it feel lighter than many heavily frosted cakes. It’s a dessert that celebrates freshness, seasonality, and homemade comfort in every slice.
Once you experience the flavor of fresh strawberries layered into a soft, tender cake, you’ll understand why this dessert remains a favorite across generations. It’s elegant enough for celebrations yet simple enough to enjoy on an ordinary afternoon, and sometimes, those are the best desserts of all.
