Strawberry Shortcake With Vanilla Cream Biscuits

Our favorite (and easiest!) strawberry shortcake is made with vanilla cream biscuits, fresh macerated strawberries, and whipped cream. The flaky vanilla-infused biscuits provide a perfect base for layers of sugared strawberries and fluffy whipped cream.

This strawberry shortcake starts with tender vanilla cream biscuits, layered with juicy strawberries and billowy whipped cream. It’s a classic dessert that’s simple to make but always feels special—perfect for summer gatherings, birthdays, or just because.

The cream biscuits are infused with vanilla and baked until golden, making a rich and flavorful base for the sweetened strawberries and whipped cream. The combination of flaky biscuit, syrupy berries, and soft cream is irresistible.

Strawberry Shortcake History

The American strawberry shortcake is a much-loved dessert that combines sweetened fresh strawberries with the tender texture of cream biscuits. This classic treat has a rich history, evolving over time to become a summer dessert mainstay in the United States. The earliest mention of the word “shortcake” in a recipe dates back to 16th-century England in reference to a rich, crumbly cookie-like dough.

Strawberry Shortcake Around the World

While the American strawberry shortcake is widely recognized, other countries have their unique versions of the dessert. In Japan, the strawberry shortcake consists of a light, airy sponge cake layered with strawberries and whipped cream. In the UK traditional strawberry shortcake may use a scone-like base instead of the biscuit-like dough found in the American version.

Ingredient Notes

• Strawberries: Fresh is best—look for ripe berries and macerate with sugar to draw out their juices.
• Granulated sugar: Used to sweeten the strawberries and the biscuit dough.
• All-purpose flour: The base for the cream biscuits.
• Baking powder: Provides lift and tenderness in the biscuits.
• Sea salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
• Heavy whipping cream: Used in both the biscuit dough and the whipped topping.
• Vanilla extract: Infuses both the biscuits and whipped cream with sweet, fragrant flavor.
• Sparkling sugar: Optional, but gives the biscuit tops a bakery-style finish.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Adds light sweetness to the whipped cream.

Steps to Make Strawberry Shortcake With Vanilla Cream Biscuits

1. Rinse, hull, and slice the strawberries. Sprinkle with sugar and let them sit while you make the biscuits.
2. Whisk the dry ingredients together, then stir in the cream and vanilla to form a soft dough.
3. Pat or roll the dough into a thick round or square and cut into wedges or squares.
4. Place biscuits on a baking sheet and freeze briefly while the oven preheats.
5. Bake the biscuits, brush with cream and vanilla, sprinkle with sugar, and finish baking until golden.
6. Whip the cream with confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
7. Split each biscuit and layer with strawberries and whipped cream. Add more on top and garnish with berries.

Recipe Variations

• Mixed Berries: Use a combination of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries in addition to strawberries for a colorful multi-berry twist.
• Orange Flavored: Add a tablespoon of orange juice or an orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, Cointreau) to the strawberries.
• Lemon Strawberry Shortcake: Add lemon zest to the shortcake dough and a splash of lemon juice to the whipped cream for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Trifle-Style: crumbled or cubed shortcake, strawberries, and whipped cream in a trifle dish or individual glasses for an elegant presentation. Top it off with a few mint leaves!
• Almond Flavored: Replace the vanilla with almond extract in the shortcake dough and whipped cream, and garnish the dessert with toasted almond slices or slivers.
• Parfaits: Alternate layers of crumbled shortcake, strawberries, and whipped cream in a tall dessert glass for a visually appealing dessert.

Biscuit Alternatives

• There are several alternatives to the classic biscuit-like shortcake that can be used as a base for strawberry shortcake. Here are some of my favorite options:
• Sponge Cake: A light and airy sponge cake, like an angel food cake or chiffon cake, can be used as an alternative to the classic biscuit.
• Pound Cake: A rich and buttery pound cake can add a different texture and flavor to the dessert. Slice the pound cake into layers and proceed with the traditional assembly.
• Scones: British-style scones can serve as a delicious alternative to the American shortcake biscuit. You can either use plain or flavored scones, such as lemon or almond.
• Ladyfingers: For a delicate and elegant twist, use ladyfingers as the base for your strawberry shortcake. Layer them with strawberries and whipped cream for a delightful treat.
• Meringue: For a crunchy and light option, consider using meringue nests or pavlova. Fill them with whipped cream and strawberries for a light, gluten-free alternative.
• Waffles or Pancakes: For a fun twist, use waffles or pancakes as the base. Top them with strawberries and whipped cream for a dessert-like spin on breakfast favorites.

Strawberry Shortcake With Vanilla Cream Biscuits

Diana

This heavenly strawberry shortcake recipe features tender, vanilla-infused cream biscuits, juicy strawberries, and whipped cream. The ultimate dessert for any occasion!

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Servings 8 servings

Calories 437

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Course Biscuits, Desserts, Strawberries

Cuisine American

Prep Time 12 minutes minutes

Cook Time 16 minutes minutes

Total Time 28 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  

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For the Strawberries

• 2 pints strawberries
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

For the Biscuits

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, plus 3 tablespoons (9 1/2 ounces)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Biscuit Topping

• 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon sparkling sugar

For the Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

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• Rinse the strawberries, hull them, and slice them thinly. Put them in a bowl and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of sugar. Let them stand at room temperature while you prepare the biscuits. Stir occasionally.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl; whisk to blend the dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Add the heavy cream and vanilla and mix until a soft dough is formed.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a circle or square about 1 to 1 1/4 inches thick.
• Cut the dough into 8 wedges or squares and place them on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
• Heat the oven to 400 F.
• Place the baking sheet in the freezer while the oven preheats.
• Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of cream and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla in a small bowl and set aside.
• Bake the biscuit wedges for 12 minutes, then brush them with the cream and vanilla.
• Sprinkle the cream-topped biscuits with the sparkling sugar and return them to the oven. Bake until they are lightly browned, 3 to 6 minutes longer.
• Make the whipped cream while the biscuits cool.
• Put the 1 cup of heavy whipping cream in a bowl with the confectioners’ sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla and beat with the whisk attachment of an electric mixer until soft peaks develop. The peaks should curl over slightly. Avoid overbeating.
• To assemble the strawberry shortcakes, split a biscuit horizontally and fill it with strawberries and a spoonful of whipped cream. Spoon another dollop of whipped cream over the top of the biscuit and place a few strawberry slices on it.

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 297mgPotassium: 276mgFiber: 3gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 916IUVitamin C: 70mgCalcium: 138mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword strawberry shortcake

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