Home > Recipes > Desserts > Cakes > Easy Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
by Michelle
June 4, 2020
Jump to Recipe
5 (4 ratings)This classic strawberry shortcake recipe is made completely from scratch! It starts with homemade buttermilk biscuits that are topped with a fresh, macerated strawberry filling, and homemade whipped cream. A simple, traditional dessert that is an absolute summer staple!
One of the easiest summer desserts you can make, traditional strawberry shortcake is made of only three components:
- Sweetened biscuits (or sponge cake)
- Fresh strawberries
- Whipped cream
The history of strawberry shortcake dates as far back as an English cookbook published in 1588! By the mid-1800’s it was a popular biscuit and fruit dessert, and there were even strawberry shortcake parties held to celebrate the summer fruit harvest. A good old-fashioned dessert, indeed!
They are so easy to make, but if you take shortcuts you’re only robbing yourself of one of the summer’s finest sweet treats. These beg to be done the 100% homemade route, so let’s discuss…
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake From Scratch
You could totally throw together strawberry shortcake using biscuits from a can or using a box mix, using strawberry pie filling, and some spray can whip cream. I’ve totally been there, but homemade strawberry shortcake is next-level amazing. This is what we’re going to do?
- Homemade buttermilk biscuits – my very favorite tall, flaky biscuits!
- Macerated strawberries – because taking a fork or spoon through fresh strawberries just isn’t as blissful as super soft, sweetened strawberries sitting in their own sauce.
- Homemade whipped cream – SO much better than anything canned or from a tub!
The combination is truly outstanding, and one you will be craving all summer long.
How to Macerate Fresh Strawberries
If you’ve never macerated strawberries before, don’t let the fancy word intimidate you – it’s SO easy!
Literally all you have to do is mix strawberries with sugar and, let them sit there for a few minutes, do a quick mash to give their juices a jump-start, then wait for 1 hour.
That’s IT!
Making Strawberry Shortcake In Advance
All of the components can be made up to a day or two in advance, and then you can assemble the strawberry shortcakes whenever you’re ready for dessert. This makes it a perfect option for a summer brunch or lunch when you might not have much time in the morning before hosting; and of course, it’s a great post-dinner dessert, as well!
The biscuits can be made up to four days in advance and reheated in a 350-degree oven for 5 or 10 minutes for that fresh-from-the-oven taste and texture.
The macerated strawberries will keep for 1 day in the refrigerator. Because they are breaking down, after that they tend to get a little bit too mushy and can develop mold quickly.
The whipped cream can be made the day before, as well. Simply whip it a little bit less stiff than you would ideally like it, and then when ready to serve, use a whisk to give it a few good beats to incorporate any separated liquid and stiffen it up.
More Recipe Tips & Serving Ideas
- Make them fresh! If you want to make and serve strawberry shortcake right away, follow this timeline: (1) Start the strawberries macerating; (2) Make the biscuits; (3) When you take the biscuits out the oven, make the whipped cream and then assemble.
- Set up a strawberry shortcake DIY station! If you’re hosting a brunch or summer cookout, this is a really fun way to let everyone serve themselves dessert. Some may want to load up on the strawberries while others will keep dolloping on that whipped cream (me!).
- Alternate Fruits – While strawberries are traditional, you can change up your shortcakes with tons of different fruit options! Some ideas – blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, plums, and cherries.
- Topping Ideas – While homemade whipped cream is the go-to, vanilla ice cream is also a phenomenal choice! And a drizzle of chocolate sauce or hot fudge sauce paired with the strawberries is amazing!
More Summery Strawberry Recipes:
- Pretzel Strawberry Ice Cream Pie
- Strawberry Pie
- Strawberry Biscuit-and-Jam Cobbler
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Watch the Recipe Video:
If you make this recipe and love it, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you so much! ❤️️
Easy Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
This classic strawberry shortcake recipe is made completely from scratch! It starts with homemade buttermilk biscuits that are topped with a fresh, macerated strawberry filling, and homemade whipped cream. A simple, traditional dessert that is an absolute summer staple!
5 (4 ratings)
Print Pin Rate
Ingredients
For the Macerated Strawberries
- 5 pounds (2.27 kg) strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 15 cups)
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
For the Biscuits
- 2½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113.5 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into ¼-inch cubes
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold buttermilk
- ¼ cup (56.75 g) unsalted butter, melted, for brushing
For the Whipped Cream
- 1½ cups (357 ml) heavy cream, or heavy whipping cream
- 4½ teaspoons (4.5 teaspoons) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Macerate the Strawberries: Place the strawberries and the sugar in a large bowl and stir to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes, then use a potato masher to gently press on the strawberries (do not mash them). Let stand for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Make the Biscuits: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
Using a pastry blender (or two knives or your fingertips), quickly cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse meal with a few slightly larger butter lumps.
Using a rubber spatula or fork, stir in the buttermilk until the mixture forms a soft, slightly sticky ball.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and quickly form into a rough square. Be careful not to overmix. Pat the dough into a 1-inch-thick rectangle. Fold the dough letter-style into thirds, then lightly pat the dough back out into another 1-inch rectangle. Try to handle the dough as quickly and lightly as possible. Repeat the folding 2 more times; after the final fold, press or lightly roll the dough into a½-inch-thick rectangle.
Using a 2½-inch round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out the dough rounds and place on the prepared baking sheet. Pat and roll the remaining scraps to cut out more rounds. Brush with the melted butter and bake until the biscuit tops are light golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Brush with additional butter immediately, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature. The biscuits are best served the day they are made, however leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350 degree F oven for 5 minutes.
Make the Whipped Cream: Pour the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla extract into a mixing bowl.Turn the mixer to medium speed and whip. The cream will start to get frothy, and then will begin to thicken (around the 2-3 minute mark).Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the cream looks billowy and there are distinct trails left by the whisk in the whipped cream. If you remove the whisk from the mixer and turn it upside down, the whipped cream should remain upright and not droop off.
Assemble the Strawberry Shortcakes: Cut the biscuits in half horizontally. Spoon strawberries over the bottom of the biscuit and add a dollop of whipped cream. Top with the other biscuit half. Alternatively, you can also break up the biscuits and top them with strawberries and whipped cream.
Notes
- Make them fresh! If you want to make and serve strawberry shortcake right away, follow this timeline: (1) Start the strawberries macerating; (2) Make the biscuits; (3) When you take the biscuits out the oven, make the whipped cream and then assemble.
- Set up a strawberry shortcake DIY station! If you’re hosting a brunch or summer cookout, this is a really fun way to let everyone serve themselves dessert. Some may want to load up on the strawberries while others will keep dolloping on that whipped cream (me!).
- Alternate Fruits – While strawberries are traditional, you can change up your shortcakes with tons of different fruit options! Some ideas – blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, plums, and cherries.
- Topping Ideas – While homemade whipped cream is the go-to, vanilla ice cream is also a phenomenal choice! And a drizzle of chocolate sauce or hot fudge sauce paired with the strawberries is amazing!
- Make-Ahead Biscuits: The biscuits can be made up to 4 days in advance (store in an airtight container at room temperature) or frozen for up to 3 months (thaw before using). Reheat in a 350 degree F oven for 5 minutes, then cool slightly before assembling the strawberry shortcakes.
- Make-Ahead Strawberries: The macerated strawberries can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
- Make-Ahead Whipped Cream: The whipped cream can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, use a large whisk and give the whipped cream a few good hard whips to reincorporate any separated liquid and stiffen it up.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 442kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 71mg, Sodium: 229mg, Potassium: 541mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 815IU, Vitamin C: 111.5mg, Calcium: 146mg, Iron: 2.1mg
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Author: Michelle
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
« Previous PostEasy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Next Post »Friday Things #374
5 from 4 votes
41 Comments on “Easy Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Recipe”
-
Sam Jenkins — Reply
This recipe was so yummy & easy!!
Before baking, I also sprinkled some granulated sugar on top of the biscuits along with the butter. Crispy caramelized sugar on top of the buttery golden-brown biscuit 😍 amazing! -
Marie — Reply
The rich biscuits offset the sweetness of the strawberries perfectly. 2 people in my family swear they don’t like strawberries and even they devoured their bowl of strawberry shortcake. Thank you for sharing your recipe
-
Lily — Reply
This is an awesome shortcake and it sound are fabulous with amazingly looks…It perfect for a beautiful summer dessert..I will trying to make it..Thanks for sharing..!
-
Marie Aguirre — Reply
Easy weasy! The biscuits were excellent. Actually the combo of the three balanced each other. Thank you!!
-
sanu — Reply
wow! wonderful recipe
-
Macy — Reply
Very pretty. Going to make your strawberry pretzel dessert. Look forward to reading other’s comments.
We can post quickly…and it’s a way for us to show our support back to you😊
-
Victoria — Reply
Can you make just the biscuit dough in advance?
-
liceum dla dorosłych kraków — Reply
This looks amazing! totally adding it to my meal plan for
next week.
-
Jen — Reply
Have you tried making the whipped cream with powdered sugar? I switched to this because it holds longer
-
Michelle — Reply
Hi Jen, I have not, but I’ll have to give it a try next time!
-
-
Rena — Reply
Have you ever picked berries at Simmons’ farm in McMurray? If you haven’t, it would be a great outing with the kids. They taste AMAZING! Nothing like the grocery store. Just made 40 jars of jam and shortcake last week. Going to try your recipe soon.
-
Michelle — Reply
Hi Rena, I haven’t, as that’s a pretty long haul from where we live, but I would love to go berry picking! I’m thinking next summer might be perfect since Isabelle will be older!
-
-
Pamela Rollins — Reply
I have often wondered why are biscuits always round. Could I simply cut thru the rectangle dough with a bench scraper? No scrapes to re-roll. I know the never twist the round cutter rule. This is how I cut my brownies.
Thanks & I LOVE your site.-
Michelle — Reply
Hi Pamela, Yes you can totally do this, I’ve seen square biscuits before!
-
-
Elizabeth — Reply
80s kid right here and still have my Strawberry Shortcake doll and many of her friends! Get this…they still smell the same! Every single time I come across them in my childhood boxes, I have to smell them all. Every single time I smell them all, I wonder how toxic these chemicals must be to still smell after all these years! HaHa!
-
Arthur in the Garden! — Reply
Yummy!
-
Ream — Reply
Oh! Congratulations!!!
-
Trish — Reply
Congratulations! I was wondering if your craving for fruit might have been related to something or other! ;-) I can attest that strawberries macerated in Grand Marnier is fabulous! And if I have leftovers (accidentally on purpose) I stir them into my yogurt for breakfast the next day.
-
dina — Reply
a wonderful classic!
-
Janice — Reply
First — my wish for happiness for you, Michelle, & your CCC as you welcome your new bundle of love! God bless you all! Enjoy each & every moment — times has a way of “flying by”!
Next, could you post CCC’s blog about drinks. I thought I saved that email … It is out there on the cloud somewhere!?!? Thanks so much!!-
Michelle — Reply
Hi Janice, Thank you so much! His website is http://www.drinkkings.com. Unfortunately, I had to stop sampling a few months ago! I hope you enjoy it! :)
-
-
Katarzyna — Reply
This looks beyond delicious as is, but I can’t help but wonder how much MORE delicious it would be with the addition of, say, Grand Marnier…I just may have a project for tonight ;)
Love your site, by the way! All of your recipes are fabulous
-
Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts — Reply
I LOVE strawberry shortcake – this looks delicious!!
-
Cheryl — Reply
I ADORE strawbery shortcake. It’s probably my favorite non-chocolate dessert! This sounds delicous and I love, love, love how georgous your pictures are!
I am also thrilled to hear about your the new expantions you’ll be making (starting with your belly, then in your home!) – CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes for the next few months. I’ll be following to see where the cravings may lead you! HUGS
-
JessB — Reply
Congrats! Hope you are eating organic ones since the conventional ones are one of the most sprayed fruits…gotta look out for the little one!
-
Linda — Reply
Love fresh strawberries and will eat them for lunch.
-
This looks like a fabulous summer dessert! And I loved the Strawberry Shortcake character when I was little!
-
Vanessa Musquiz — Reply
My room was Strawberry Shortcake! Loved those dolls !
-
Molly - Doughvelopment — Reply
Love strawberry shortcake, both the character and dessert!
I’ve been infatuated with macerated berries this summer! So, juicy! -
Lynne — Reply
Just like my mom always made (except that her biscuit was a bit sweeter and she baked it in a cake round and cut it into triangles to serve). I confess that I was never much of a fan of strawberry shortcake, but I would have the macerated strawberries with just the whipped cream. Yum.
-
Lindsay — Reply
I loved Strawberry Shortcake as a kid too, although Apple Dumplin’ was my favorite. My mom saved some of our Strawberry Shortcake dolls and almost 30 years later, they still smell like strawberries.
-
Lauren Hughes — Reply
This looks amazing – I am going to try this recipe on the weekend for sure! Shame I am allergic to strawberries :( xo
-
Heather — Reply
Yum! What a wonderful summer sweet! I too loved Strawberry Shortcake (the 80s character) when I was a kid :)
-
Cally — Reply
This looks delicious! I was obsessed with Strawberry Shortcake as a kid. My whole room was covered in her. My room always smelled really good. I loved introducing my little girl to her! We love walking through the toy aisle smelling all the dolls. :) We just went to see one of the new SS shows they had as part of a summer program at the local theater. Maybe you will get to introduce your little girl to SS, too. :) So excited for you!
-
AndreaL — Reply
Congratulations to you and your CCC on your big news! I was so excited when I saw your post yesterday. Lots of exciting things happening for you :)
I cannot wait to try this recipe. Sometimes I get so tired of trying shortcake and it’s an actual sweet cake rather than a biscuit. This simply looks delicious!
-
Laura @ Raise Your Garden — Reply
Nothing beats fresh strawberries on fresh biscuits for dessert in the summer. Bring on the strawberry shortcake!
Did you know that those strawberry shortcake dolls are worth a mint now? I wanted my daughter to play with mine and my mom doesn’t want her too because she’ll destroy them? How about my Little Ponies….The Littles or Woodsies….remember those? WE have an awesome toy museum near us called the Strong Museum those shows off all these fun toys. =)
-
Michelle — Reply
I totally had My Little Ponies, too! One of my other favorites as a kid :)
-
Diana —
I am a HUGE My Little Pony Fan and collector! Just got back from the big My Little Pony Fair and Convention in Tennessee! I did have a few Strawberry Shortcake dolls and friends back in the day but now just a room full of ponies ;) Love the recipe by the way! I think I might try adding a touch of vanilla to the biscuits and a tad more sugar and see what that is like… :D
-
-
-
janet — Reply
I grew up with the doll too. Loved her and all her friends. I had the bedding set for years :)
I love strawberries! My favorite way to eat them is in yogurt. Yum!!
Have a beautiful day!!
-
Kristen — Reply
Heh the first thing I thought of when I saw the title of your post was the character. My sister and I loved her as kids. Our room was decorated with Strawberry Shortcake (except for the Rainbow Brite table). Plus she had the Strawberry Shortcake doll and I had Lemon Merengue (who actually smelled lemony). Wow talk about bringing up some old memories!
However childhood memories aside, this looks so refreshing! I need to go get some strawberries
-
Shannon @ Lizzy Lu — Reply
First one to comment!! This looks super tasty, but really just want to give you a HUGE congrats! I’ve been a follower since the beginning of time, and couldn’t be happier to see your sweet family grow. Can’t wait to follow along!
