Get the best easy strawberry shortcake recipe – the quintessential summer dessert! This light and refreshing shortcake recipe is always crowd pleasing for a reason- and beautiful, too!

Skip the mix and learn how to make the easiest, decadent Strawberry Shortcake from scratch, topped with whipped cream.

strawberry shortcake on a white plate, blue box of strawberries in background.
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I remember sitting outside on our front porch on beautiful summer afternoons with friends as a young child snacking on strawberries dipped in a bowl of sugar.

Not much has changed, as sugar covered strawberries are still one of my favorite indulgences. (I mean, have you tried my wine-soaked drunken strawberries?) Bonus if they’re served with whipped cream, of course.

While strawberry shortcake was my mom’s favorite dessert, until recently I never favored shortcake. I’m not sure why I would want to miss out on all the fun. 

Have you tried my fresh and fluffy strawberry bread and strawberry muffins? I’ve even got a strawberry recipe collection with over 20 recipes you’re going to LOVE!

We love all things strawberries around here and I’m always thrilled to share the joy.

strawberry shortcake on a white plate.

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Shortcakes are the perfect compliment to fresh strawberries and go together like peanut butter and jelly. They’re delicious a la carte, but together, they make the most amazing summer dessert!

It’s decadent, yet feels sweet, light and airy. It’s a quintessential summer dessert that everyone should have in their lineup.

Want to know a secret? This strawberry shortcake recipe doesn’t include shortening. It’s made with heavy cream to give it the most incredible texture.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Best Flavor Combo – It’s decadent, yet feels sweet, light and airy. It’s a quintessential summer dessert that everyone should have in their lineup.
  • Seasonal Favorite – Something about this dessert just speaks to summer!
  • Simple – The best strawberry shortcake is comprised of three main elements: biscuits, strawberries in syrup, and whipped cream.
strawberry shortcake on a white plate, blue box of strawberries in background.

Ingredients and Substitutions

See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

Shortcakes

  • All Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Baking Soda
  • White Granulated Sugar
  • Salt
  • Heavy Whipping Cream

Strawberry Syrup

  • Strawberries – Fresh, sliced.
  • White Granulated Sugar

Whipped Cream

  • Vanilla Extract – learn how to make your own vanilla extract!
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Powdered Sugar 
strawberry shortcake on a white plate.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake

  1. Prep – Preheat oven and grease baking dish.
  2. Make Strawberry Topping – Combine strawberries and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Make Shortcakes – Combine dry ingredients. Gradually blend in heavy cream and vanilla.
  4. Bake – Bake and cut into desired shape.
  5. Make Whipped Cream – In a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gradually add in powdered sugar until just combined.
  6. Assemble – Slice shortcake into squares or use a cookie or biscuit cutter to create shapes. A hand cutting into a white pan full of shortcake with a round cutter.
  7. Add Topping – Top with a scoop of whipped cream and strawberry topping. A biscuit and a box of strawberries in the background for a strawberry shortcake recipe. strawberry shortcake on a white plate, blue box of strawberries in background. A biscuit topped with whipped cream and a box of strawberries in the background for a strawberry shortcake recipe. A biscuit topped with whipped cream and a box of strawberries in the background for a strawberry shortcake recipe.

Tips

  • I always love a beautiful cutout or biscuit cutter, so I bake this shortcake in a cake pan and use a cutter for a pretty circular shape. Of course, if you want to avoid waste you can simply slice your shortcakes.
  • If you choose to bake it in another dish, you’ll need to adjust baking time. When a toothpick inserted comes out clean, they’re ready to be transferred to a rack to cool.
  • Try using different shaped cookie cutters to match the occasion – hearts, stars, easter eggs, etc.
  • Add different fruits with the strawberries for a mixed berry flavor! Blueberries will make a cute patriotic looking dessert.
strawberry shortcake on a white plate, blue box of strawberries in background.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is strawberry shortcake vs regular cake?

Texture makes all the difference! Generally, cake is moist but also light and airy. Shortcake has more of a crumble under your fork, and a crisp but decadent texture.

What does it mean to macerate strawberries?

Macerating is a method of placing cut strawberries into a bowl, topping them with sugar, and pushing the juice out the strawberries with a potato masher, or a fork.
This method allows the strawberry juice to mix with the sugar to create a syrupy juice mixed in with the strawberries.

strawberry shortcake on a white plate, blue box of strawberries in background.

Serving Suggestions

strawberry shortcake on a white plate.

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – Strawberry shortcake can sit out at room temperature safely for up to two hours while serving. The shortcake itself can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Refrigerator – Homemade whipped cream can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Macerated strawberries will be okay to use for 3-4 days after they are prepared.
  • Freezer – Homemade whipped cream can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. You can also freeze the shortcake, which stores well for up to 2-3 months. I don’t recommend freezing your macerated strawberries – fresh is best for this recipe!

This Easy Strawberry Shortcake also makes a great dessert for picnics or gifting – I pack mine in a Weck jar and add a cute spoon on top! It’s so simple and pretty.

strawberry shortcake on a white plate.

More Strawberry Recipes

strawberry shortcake on a white plate.
5 from 16 votes

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Strawberry shortcake is the quintessential summer dessert recipe. This light and refreshing easy shortcake recipe is simple to make and SO beautiful, too!
Prep: 12 minutes
Cook: 22 minutes
Total: 34 minutes
Servings: 9
Pin Rate Print

Ingredients  

Strawberry Syrup

  • cups strawberries sliced
  • cup white granulated sugar

Shortcakes

Whipped Cream

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease 8×8 baking dish.

Strawberry Topping

  • Combine strawberries and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve. A syrup will develop over time.

Shortcakes

  • In a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt.
  • Gradually blend in heavy cream and vanilla until combined and no longer crumbly.
  • Bake 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Whipped Cream

  • In a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gradually add in powdered sugar until just combined.

Assemble

  • Slice shortcake into squares or use a cookie or biscuit cutter to create shapes. Top with a scoop of whipped cream and strawberry topping.

Julie’s Tips

  • Try using different shaped cookie cutters to match the occasion – hearts, stars, easter eggs, etc… 
  • Add different fruits with the strawberries for a mixed berry flavor –  blueberries will make a cute patriotic looking dessert. 
  • Top with your favorite ice cream for an extra sweet treat. 

To Store

  • Shortcakes – Up to 5 days refrigerated in an airtight container. Store at room temperature in an airtight container up to 3 days.
  • Strawberry Syrup – Up to 4 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
  • Whipped Cream – Up to 48 hours refrigerated in an airtight container. Stir to refresh. Freeze up to 2 months.
Serving: 1g | Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 275mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 1367IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 2mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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27 Comments

  1. Another delicious recipe! Made it last night – left off the whipped cream as I’d just come from my annual physical and had sticker shock over my weight – lol. It was great just with the berries! Thanks Julie!

    1. I hope I’m not to blame 😉
      Thanks for your kindness and feedback, Emily! Apparently it’s National Strawberry Shortcake Day, so you are just in time!

  2. Thanks Le Anne for stopping by! Let me know if you have any recipe favorites. Have a great Fourth!

  3. Simply elegant on a summer afternoon:-) Thanks for your post, I believe this will be my contribution to the picnic on Monday. Keep rockin those recipies 🙂