Classic Strawberry Shortcake
User Reviews
4.9
72 reviews
Excellent
Classic Strawberry Shortcake
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Classic Strawberry Shortcake features tender, buttery biscuits topped with freshly macerated strawberries and lightly sweetened whipped cream. Lemon zest in the biscuits and fresh lemon juice in the strawberries enhance brightness. The biscuits have a soft crumb with a lightly crisp exterior, providing contrast to the juicy, sweet fruit and smooth cream.
Description
This recipe starts by macerating fresh strawberries with sugar and lemon juice to extract juices and sweeten the fruit, which intensifies flavor. The shortcakes are made by mixing lemon zest-scented sugar with flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, into which cold, cubed butter is worked until crumbly. Buttermilk is then mixed in to form dough, which is baked until golden and tender.
Whipped cream made with cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and sour cream adds a light, tangy richness that balances the sweetness of the strawberries and the buttery biscuits. Assembly involves layering the biscuits with a generous portion of strawberries and whipped cream, creating a classic summer dessert with a pleasing combination of textures and flavors.
The shortcakes can be prepared a day ahead or frozen, and strawberries benefit from overnight maceration for juicier topping. Whipped cream is best freshly whipped but holds refrigerated up to a day, allowing some components to be prepped ahead for convenience.
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Ingredients
For the strawberries:
- 1 1/2 lbs. strawberry you can probably get by with just 1 lb. strawberries but I love to load them up on each shortcake so I use 1 1/2 lbs. ?, fresh
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice fresh
For the shortcakes:
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 tsp. lemon zest from 1 lemon
- 3 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt fine
- 10 Tbsp. butter unsalted, cold
- 1 cup buttermilk cold
- 1-2 Tbsp. heavy cream
- coarse sugar optional
For the whipped cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream cold
- 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. sour cream
Instructions
- Wash, hull and quarter the strawberries. In a mixing bowl, combine the strawberries with the sugar and lemon juice. Refrigerate until juices develop, at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine the sugar and lemon zest together in a large bowl. Rub the sugar and lemon zest between your fingertips to create a lemon sugar. This helps release the natural oils and infuse more lemon flavor into the shortcakes.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Cube the cold butter into small pieces and add to the dry ingredients. Work the butter into the flour with your hands/fingertips until it's crumbly. See video for guidance. If you have warm hands and feel the dough got too warm, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to chill.
- Create a well in the middle of the flour and stream in the buttermilk, mixing together with a fork, wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Mix just until it begins to come together and a shaggy dough forms. We don't want to over mix it here, overworking the dough will result in dense, tough cakes. We want fluffy cakes!
- Pour the dough onto a clean, lightly floured work surface. Gently knead the dough, folding it over itself about 6-8 times until it comes together. You can use some extra flour on your hands as needed. Pat the dough into a rectangle, about 3/4-1-inch in thickness.
- Using a 2 3/4-3-inch biscuit cutter, press the cutter straight down into the dough (do not twist). Bring together the scraps and continue pressing the biscuit cutter down into the dough. You should have ~8 shortcakes.
- Place the shortcakes on the prepared baking sheet. Line them up next to each other. When the biscuits are touching, as opposed to being a few inches apart from each other, it helps them bake up nice and tall. It also prevents lopsided cakes.
- Brush the tops of the cakes with heavy cream and a sprinkle of sugar, if using. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and cool.
- Prepare the whipped cream: Using a hand held mixer or electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks begin to form, about 1-2 minutes. Then add in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and sour cream and beat until medium peaks form.
- Assemble the shortcakes: slice the cakes in half, add a layer of whipped cream, strawberries on top then the other cake on top. Top with more whipped cream, strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve immediatley and enjoy!
Notes
- Biscuits can be made up to 1 day ahead at room temperature or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Strawberries may be macerated overnight to develop more juices and soften.
- Whipped cream is best made fresh but can be refrigerated up to 1 day before serving.
- Keep components separate if not serving immediately, then assemble just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1cake
Calories
532kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
63g
(21%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
80mg
(27%)
Sodium
603mg
(25%)
Potassium
265mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
24g
(48%)
Vitamin A
998IU
(20%)
Vitamin C
53mg
(59%)
Calcium
193mg
(19%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8cakes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 532 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cake | |
| Calories | 532kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 63g | 21% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 80mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 603mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 265mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 24g | 48% |
| Vitamin A | 998IU | 20% |
| Vitamin C | 53mg | 59% |
| Calcium | 193mg | 19% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
72 reviews
Excellent
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