Simple, sturdy cake is one of our favorite ways to enjoy Strawberry Shortcake. You just can’t go wrong with a fluffy cake that is layered with strawberries and finished off with whipped cream.
I look forward to strawberry shortcake every year. It means warm weather is here and strawberries are ripe for the picking. This has been one of my favorite desserts since I was a child and I’m excited to share this classic shortcake recipe with you.
Strawberry Shortcake Cake
There are two kinds of people in this world – people who like a cake-like strawberry shortcake and those who like a biscuit-like strawberry shortcake. Which side are you on?
I’m not sure where the distinction comes from, but it seems to be geographically as well as family-of-origin based. I wanted to share with you today my favorite cake-like strawberry shortcake recipe.
This is a staple type of dessert during the warmer months. It’s a recipe that is easy enough for any non-baker and baker alike.
What happens when you put sugar on a strawberry?
I like to add a tablespoon or two of sugar to my cut strawberries and let them sit while I make the shortcake. This gives the strawberries some time to release their juices and makes a nice syrup to drizzle on top of the shortcakes. So good.
How do I make whipped cream?
To make whipped cream, I simply add 1-2 cups of heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla to the bowl of my stand mixer and beat until soft peaks form. SO much better than anything pre-made from the store. Very worth the 5 minutes of prep, if you ask me.
How do I serve strawberry shortcake?
To serve strawberry shortcake I slice the cake into 9 pieces. Remove one piece from the pan and split it down the middle. Top half of the cake with strawberries and whipped cream, add the second half of cake, and top with more whipped cream and strawberries.
How should strawberry shortcake be stored?
Store any leftover cake covered at room temperature. Separate from any leftover strawberries or whipped cream.
Strawberry shortcake is such a lovely dessert. It’s light, not too sweet, and easy to prepare. Enjoy a slice (or two) from my kitchen to yours!
More strawberry recipes:
- Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
- Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
- 4 Ingredient Strawberry Frozen Yogurt (5 minute recipe!)
- Strawberry Pie Recipe
Cake-Like Strawberry Shortcake
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 9
Description
My famous strawberry shortcake recipe made with a simple homemade cake (so not fussy!), sweetened strawberries, and whipped cream. We eat this once a week all spring long.
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1-2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled, sliced, and sweetened to your liking
- 2-4 cups freshly whipped cream (sweetened if you like)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-inch square baking dish (or line it with parchment).
- In a medium bowl, add the sugar and melted butter and stir to combine well.
- Add the egg and vanilla and stir to combine.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and beat with an electric mixture or stand mixer to combine.
- Add the milk and beat again until the mixture is smooth with no lumps. Place the batter in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cake is lightly golden and springs back when lightly touched.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
- To serve, slice the cake into 9 pieces. Remove one piece from the pan and split it down the middle. Top half of the cake with strawberries and whipped cream, add the second half of cake, and top with more whipped cream and strawberries.
- Serve right away.
- Store any leftover cake covered at room temperature, separate from any leftover strawberries or whipped cream.
Notes
- It's best to use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer for this cake. I've made it a few times where I stirred it all by hand and I was left with little flour chunks in my batter and cake. Incorporating the milk with an electric mixture helped to ensure there were no flour chunks in my cake.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven, Bowl
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade strawberry shortcake recipe, fluffy shortcake biscuits, how to make strawberry shortcake, strawberry shortcake, strawberry shortcake recipe
And I'm dying to know, what is your go-to Strawberry Shortcake recipe? Biscuit or Cake?! Do tell! If you don't have a favorite yet, I'd for sure try this cake recipe.
Nicole
Delicious recipe, my wife says it’s the best shortcake she’s ever had! Have you ever made the recipe in a muffin tin? Looking to make a pre-portioned version to take to a party, but wasn’t sure if the cook time would need to be adjusted?
★★★★★
Melissa
That is SUCH a clever idea! I think it would work great! It'll take less time to cook and I'd test the doneness of the cake by gently pressing on the cake, if it springs back it's done and if the indent stays, it needs a little longer. Maybe bake for 12 minutes and add time from there? I'd love to know how they turn out!
Vickie
Yum! This was so easy and delish small enough to make in toaster oven so I didn’t have to turn oven on so good! Thanks!
★★★★★
Heidi
Lovely recipe for strawberry shortcake! I liked it because it's not overly sweet. You can sweeten it up by dusting the cake with sugar but I liked it just as is. The strawberries and fresh whipped cream was the perfect ending complement to a lovely Fathers Day BBQ! Thanks!
★★★★★
Melissa
It sounds like a lovely dessert for a lovely day! So glad you enjoyed it Heidi!
Marie
This recipe is so good, the only thing I would do differently next time is make more. The 9 servings are small and the recipe so good, everyone will want more.
★★★★★
Ariel Duhadaway
Super easy and incredibly tasty. I doubled the recipe and it didn't make it 24 hours in my house. Will definitely make again.
★★★★★
Dana
This is the BEST EVER SHORTCAKE!!!!!! So easy to make and absolutely delish!!!
Thank you for a fantastic recipe.
★★★★★
Melissa
Yay! I'm so glad you liked it as much as we do. And thank you for leaving a review, I so appreciate it.
Margie
My first time making any kind of drop biscuit, saw these immediately wanted to try as not real fond of the store bought shortcake. Amazingly easy and are so delicious. Will def be making these again! Thanks for a great recipe.
Melissa
Yay! So glad you liked it.
Kiera
I could tell just from tasting the batter that this was going to be a good recipe...I made the cake-like shortcake, and OH MY GOD, this was AH-MAZING!!! Seriously the best shortcake I’ve ever had. And I bake constantly!
Melissa
I so appreciate the comment Kiera!
Suzanne
I made it with the sweet biscuits! So easy and so YUM! Thanks!
Melissa
I'm so glad you liked them! It's one of our favorite treats for sure!
Chelle Johnson
Made the biscuits tonight. Replaced 2 Tablespoons with coconut coffee creamer and we all agreed they tasted like coconut macaroons
Melissa
That sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Ally
I loved the cake-like recipe! It was perfect! Thanks
UncommonSensesc
I made the cake type yesterday, had peach shortcakes last night and absolutely loved it. It's sweet without being over-powering and it has that hint of vanilla. My husband loved it and he's picky about sweets (he's also honest and will tell me when he doesn't like something). I overbaked it slightly and need to take it out at the 15 minute mark but it was still wonderful!
Melissa
Thanks for leaving a comment and peach shortcake sounds so good! I'm going to have to make some asap!
Chris-Noel
Biscuit for sure and these were amazing!! My daughter made them last night for dessert. Super easy and so delicious, thank you for sharing!
CakenGifts.in Dehradun
It is very easy to make with the help of this article. On the party of last sunday, i made this cake all my friends and family members became very happy after taking it. It was tooo tasty!!!!!!!!!!! We will make it again on this Sunday..
Thanking You!!!!!
Susan Carroll
I love all kinds of strawberry shortcake! But my favorite is with chiffon cake, very much like angel food cake, but with 8 whole eggs instead of just the whites. It is amazing, especially with orange juice as the liquid. The recipe in the Better Homes and Garden cookbook is awesome.
Becky Hawkes
They both look good! I think I'm into the cake kind though... no the biscuit... maybe I should try both just to be sure...
Sarah
Angel food cake... So soft and spongy and delish. (From scratch... Not that store stuff... Yes... I'm hoity about angel food cake...!)
Debra A Beeuwsaert
I enjoy strawberry shortcake both ways.