Make this classic strawberry shortcake featuring soft, slightly cake-like biscuits, sweet macerated strawberries, and homemade stabilized whipped cream. This easy recipe is perfect for summer gatherings.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:65 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus extra for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup cold heavy cream, plus 1 1/2 cups for topping
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for macerating berries)
Instructions
Prepare the strawberries: In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar. Gently toss and set aside for at least 30 minutes to macerate.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the biscuit dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup cold heavy cream, the egg, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough will be shaggy.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat or roll the dough to about 3/4 inch thickness.
Use a 3-inch round biscuit cutter to cut out rounds. Place the rounds onto the prepared baking sheet. Rework scraps once if needed.
Brush the tops of the biscuits lightly with a little extra heavy cream and sprinkle generously with sugar.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Let the shortcakes cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the whipped cream: In a large, chilled bowl, beat the remaining 1 1/2 cups heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add a tablespoon of powdered sugar if desired for sweetness, and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Assemble the shortcakes: Split each cooled biscuit in half horizontally. Place the bottom half on a plate. Spoon a generous amount of macerated strawberries and their juices over the bottom layer. Top with a large dollop of whipped cream. Place the top biscuit half on the cream, and add more strawberries and cream on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
For the best texture, make sure your butter and cream are very cold when mixing the biscuit dough.
If you prefer a cake-like shortcake, you can use a cake recipe base instead of the biscuit dough described here.
You can use a mix of fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries along with the strawberries for seasonal fruit desserts.