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The Best Strawberry Shortcake Recipe: Sweet, Fluffy & Buttery!

Introduction

Nothing screams summer dessert like a classic strawberry shortcake! 🍓 This light, buttery biscuit layered with juicy strawberries and fluffy whipped cream is the ultimate sweet treat.

Unlike store-bought versions, this homemade strawberry shortcake has a tender, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. And the best part? It’s super easy to make with just a few ingredients!

Perfect for:
✅ Family gatherings
✅ Summer parties
✅ A quick, yet fancy dessert

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Easy to Make – No complicated techniques, just mix and bake!
✔ Fluffy & Buttery – The perfect balance of crisp and tender.
✔ Fresh & Light – Juicy strawberries bring natural sweetness.
✔ Make-Ahead Friendly – Prep the shortcakes and berries in advance!
✔ Customizable – Swap strawberries for blueberries, peaches, or mixed berries!

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

For the Shortcakes (Biscuits)

🧈 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
🥄 1 tbsp baking powder
🧂 ½ tsp salt
🥄 ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
🧈 ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold & cubed
🥛 ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream or buttermilk
🥄 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Filling

🍓 1 lb (450g) fresh strawberries, sliced
🥄 ¼ cup (50g) sugar
🥄 1 tsp lemon juice

For the Whipped Cream

🥛 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
🥄 2 tbsp powdered sugar
🥄 ½ tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

1️⃣ In a bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice.
2️⃣ Let them sit for 30 minutes to release their natural juices. This creates a delicious strawberry syrup!

Step 2: Make the Shortcakes (Biscuits)

3️⃣ Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
5️⃣ Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
6️⃣ Pour in heavy cream and vanilla extract, then gently mix until a dough forms. Don’t overmix!
7️⃣ Transfer dough to a floured surface and gently pat it into a 1-inch thick round.
8️⃣ Use a round cutter (or a cup) to cut out biscuits and place them on the baking sheet.
9️⃣ Brush the tops with a little heavy cream and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 3: Make the Whipped Cream

🔟 In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.

Step 4: Assemble the Strawberry Shortcake

1️⃣1️⃣ Slice each shortcake in half and layer with strawberries and whipped cream.
1️⃣2️⃣ Top with the other half, more strawberries, and a dollop of whipped cream.

Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Shortcake

✅ Use Cold Butter – This creates flaky, buttery layers in the shortcake.
✅ Don’t Overwork the Dough – Overmixing makes the biscuits dense instead of light and fluffy.
✅ Macerate the Strawberries – Letting them sit with sugar creates a natural syrup for extra flavor!
✅ Fresh Whipped Cream is a Must – Store-bought just won’t taste the same!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

❌ Shortcakes are too dry? – You may have overbaked them. Check at 15 minutes and remove when golden.

❌ Biscuits didn’t rise? – Make sure your baking powder is fresh and don’t roll the dough too thin.

❌ Strawberries aren’t juicy enough? – Let them sit longer with sugar, or add a splash of orange juice.

Strawberry Shortcake Variations

🍑 Peach Shortcake – Swap strawberries for fresh peaches for a summery twist!

🍫 Chocolate Shortcake – Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey treat.

🍯 Honey & Greek Yogurt Shortcake – Replace whipped cream with sweetened Greek yogurt and drizzle with honey.

🍪 Strawberry Shortcake Cookies – Use soft sugar cookies instead of biscuits for a fun alternative!