Sweetheart Strawberry Shortcake Layers (Printable)
Buttery shortcake layered with macerated strawberries and light whipped cream for a delightful, elegant treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Shortcake
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
06 - 1/3 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Strawberries
08 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
09 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Whipped Cream
11 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
12 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter with pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
03 - Stir milk and vanilla into flour mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
04 - Drop tablespoon-sized dough mounds onto baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
05 - Combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in bowl. Toss gently and let sit 15 minutes to macerate.
06 - Beat cold cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
07 - Crumble shortcakes into bite-sized pieces. Layer in 4 glasses: shortcake crumbles, macerated strawberries, whipped cream. Repeat layers, finishing with whipped cream and strawberry garnish.
08 - Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast of buttery, vanilla-scented cake against juicy strawberries and clouds of cream hits every pleasure point at once
- These parfaits look like you spent hours at a fancy patisserie but come together in under 40 minutes
- Everyone gets their own gorgeous glass, which somehow makes dessert feel more personal and special
02 -
- Cold butter and minimal handling are the secrets to tender shortcake that doesn't turn tough
- Letting the strawberries macerate for at least 15 minutes creates that natural syrup that soaks into the cake layers
- These parfaits hold their texture for about two hours, but the shortcake will continue softening the longer they sit
03 -
- Freeze your butter for 15 minutes before cutting it into the flour for the flakiest shortcake
- Chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream for faster, more stable results