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Sweetheart Strawberry Shortcake: The Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat!

Sweetheart Strawberry Shortcake: The Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat!

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There’s something truly special about classic strawberry shortcake, especially when shared with someone you love on Valentine’s Day.

This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a sweet celebration of the season, with ripe, juicy strawberries nestled between layers of tender, buttery shortcakes and clouds of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

For me, strawberry shortcake always brings back memories of sharing moments with loved ones, whether it’s a quiet evening or a festive gathering.

Sometimes we’d indulge in chocolate-covered strawberries as an extra treat or enjoy a warm peach cobbler alongside, but strawberry shortcake was always the go-to dessert for special moments.

What makes this recipe perfect for Valentine’s Day is the balance of textures and flavors. The shortcake is rich yet light, soaking up the syrupy strawberry juices. The whipped cream is fresh and airy, allowing the berries to shine.

With its timeless appeal, strawberry shortcake is the perfect dessert to make this Valentine’s Day a little sweeter.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Assembling Shortcakes

  • Fresh and Simple: No elaborate techniques—just wholesome, fresh ingredients that let the strawberries be the star.
  • Customizable: Prefer a gluten-free option or dairy-free whipped cream? This recipe adapts beautifully.
  • Perfect for Sharing: It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, effortlessly scaling up for family dinners or potlucks.
  • A Taste of Summer: Bright, juicy berries and luscious cream in every bite.
  • Minimal Prep Time: From start to finish, you’ll have dessert ready in under an hour.
Whipping Cream

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

A delightful American dessert, these strawberry shortcakes combine buttery biscuits with sweet, juicy strawberries and freshly whipped cream. Perfect for a summer treat!
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 1681kcal
Author: Austin Carter
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small Bowl
  • Fork
  • Pastry board
  • 3-inch biscuit cutter
  • Pastry Brush
  • Electric mixer (for whipping cream)
  • Spoon

Ingredients

  • 2 pints ripe well-rinsed strawberries
  • ½ cup sugar or more to taste
  • 4 cups flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • cups butter
  • 3 cups whipping cream
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Pick over, hull, and slice strawberries. Crush a quarter of them to release juices, mix with sugar, and set aside.
    Preparing Strawberries
  • Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
    Preheating the Oven
  • Sift flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl. Rub in ¾ cup butter until crumbly. Add 1¼ cups cream to form a soft dough.
    Preparing Dry Ingredients
  • Knead dough for one minute, roll to ½-inch thickness, and cut into 3-inch rounds.
    Kneading and Rolling Dough
  • Grease a baking sheet and place half the rounds on it. Brush with melted butter, top with remaining rounds, and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden.
    Baking Shortcakes
  • Remove from oven, split shortcakes, and brush insides with melted butter.
  • Beat remaining cream with vanilla until thick.
    Splitting and Buttering Shortcakes
  • Assemble by placing a shortcake half on each plate, topping with cream and berries, covering with the other half, and adding more berries and cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 1681kcal | Carbohydrates: 150g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 115g | Saturated Fat: 71g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 33g | Sodium: 673mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 49g
Keyword best strawberry shortcake recipe, easy shortcake recipe, fluffy strawberry shortcake recipe, strawberry shortcake recipe easy, traditional strawberry shortcake recipe

Tips I Will Suggest to You!

  • Chill Your Butter and Cream: Ensure your butter and cream are very cold before starting. Cold butter will create flakier layers in your shortcake, and cold cream will whip up more quickly and hold its shape better.
  • Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the dough just until it comes together. Overworking the dough can make the shortcakes tough instead of tender and flaky.
  • Use a Light Hand with Flour: When kneading and rolling out the dough, use as little extra flour as possible. Too much flour can make the shortcakes dry.
  • Macerate Strawberries in Advance: Letting the strawberries sit with sugar for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) will bring out their natural juices and deepen their flavor.
  • Double Butter for Extra Flakiness: For an extra flaky texture, you can do a double butter technique. After rubbing in the initial ¾ cup of butter, chill the dough slightly, then fold in thin slices of very cold butter before rolling out the dough.
  • Test for Doneness: To ensure your shortcakes are perfectly baked, tap the bottom of one. It should sound hollow and feel firm but not hard.
  • Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough rounds ahead of time and freeze them. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
  • Whip Cream to Stiff Peaks: When whipping the cream, aim for stiff peaks but be careful not to overbeat, or you’ll end up with butter. Stop when the cream holds its shape firmly.
  • Serve Immediately: Assemble the shortcakes just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy. Keep the components separate until ready to enjoy.
  • Add a Citrus Twist: For a refreshing twist, add a little lemon or orange zest to the strawberries or the shortcake dough. It adds a bright, zesty flavor that complements the sweetness of the berries.
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