Name: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup sugar (plus a bit for sprinkling); 1 tbsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed; 2/3 cup cold milk; 1 egg; 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced; 2-4 tbsp sugar (to taste); Squeeze of lemon juice; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 2 tbsp powdered sugar; Splash of vanilla extract

Deliciously Simple Strawberry Shortcake for Every Occasion

By:

Patricia

| Published on:

August 6, 2025

Deliciously Simple Strawberry Shortcake for Every Occasion

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Strawberry Shortcake mishaps? Yep, been there. You think you’ll grab one at the grocery store, but it’s just… meh. Not enough juicy strawberries, some dry cake pretending to be “short” (definitely wasn’t), and whipped cream that tastes like air. I finally learned making homemade strawberry shortcake isn’t just doable, it’s wildly better than the packaged ones. If you want more sweet life hacks, check out this easy French toast casserole recipe for another breakfast treat. Ready to whip up something that tastes like actual summer?

About The Sweet Breakfast

So, let me confess. Sometimes I make strawberry shortcake for breakfast. Don’t judge. Is it dessert, is it breakfast? I say it’s both. There’s something about those pillowy biscuits, syrupy berries, and mounds of whipped cream that just puts a big silly grin on my face first thing in the morning.

Okay, yes, the “shortcake” itself is closer to a biscuit. Not too sweet, a touch crumbly, and perfect for soaking up berry juices. My family asks for it constantly (possibly too much). And honestly, making it from scratch is a total mood-booster. You’ll see, pinky swear.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I have a lot of opinions on strawberry shortcake, just so you know. This one, though, is basically all my favorite angles:

It’s ridiculously simple. No fancy equipment, no specialized groceries. You get control of how sweet or tangy the berries are. Want more sugar? Go for it. Shortcakes hold up under a tower of strawberries and sauce. No soggy mess on your plate. It honestly tastes like something out of a five-star restaurant (or maybe grandma’s kitchen, which let’s be honest, is even better). Did I mention it works for breakfast, brunch, dessert, picnics? All of the above, basically. Oh, and you can do most of it ahead of time. Just assemble before you’re ready to eat. The anticipation actually makes it better.

Required Ingredients

You really don’t need a lot here, but each thing totally matters.

For the shortcakes:

2 cups all-purpose flour (I like King Arthur, but pick your fave)
1/4 cup sugar (plus a bit for sprinkling)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed up into little pieces
2/3 cup cold milk (don’t use almond milk here, trust me)
1 egg

For the filling:

1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced (wash these well, please)
2-4 tbsp sugar (totally depends on how ripe your berries are)
Squeeze of lemon juice (seriously, it brightens things up)

For the whipped cream:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
Splash of vanilla extract

Oh, and if you’re curious about making a vegan option, check out this vegan pancake recipe for inspo!

How to Make the Recipe (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the real talk, friend. Keep things chill – this isn’t rocket science, but a few tips keep it from going sideways.

Start with macerating your berries (that just means: slice ‘em, toss with sugar and lemon, and let them get juicy while you do the rest).

Take a big bowl and mix your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until you’ve got pebbly little crumbles. Work quick; warm butter is a no-go here. In a smaller bowl, whisk the egg and milk. Dump this mix into your dry ingredients and stir until it’s just barely together. Lumpy is good. Plop dough onto a floured counter and pat (don’t roll!) it out. About an inch thick does the trick. Cut into circles or squares. Who cares what shape, honestly? Pop them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with extra sugar, and bake at 425°F for about 12-15 minutes. You’re looking for large, golden clouds. Whip the cream: beat the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until you get soft peaks. (Not butter. Learned that the hard way.) Split the warm shortcakes, spoon berries with lots of syrup, and plop a messy mountain of whipped cream on top. Happiness. You’ll want to eat one standing at the counter. Maybe do it.

Tips for Success

If you want the shortcake to be truly legendary, listen up. I wrecked a few before figuring these things out.

Cold. Butter. Is. Key. If it melts before baking, you lose that nice, flaky texture. Don’t overmix the dough. Seriously, once it’s mostly combined, stop. Fresh strawberries really make a difference. I bought “off-season” once…big mistake. Taste your berries after sugaring. Sometimes you need more, sometimes not. And yep, real whipped cream trumps the canned stuff every. Single. Time. Shortcake is a snap once you get the hang of it, promise. Don’t freak if it looks messy; that’s the point!

Variations and Customizations

You want to get weird with it? Go for it. Strawberry shortcake is a great excuse to use up whatever fruit you’ve got hanging around. Sometimes I use blueberries, or even a handful of bing cherries.

You can swap the milk for buttermilk, for a little tang. Or try adding a pinch of cardamom in the dough if you feel fancy. Folks in my family even drizzle a bit of honey over the whipped cream if they’re feeling sweet-toothed.

Got leftovers? Top your favorite waffles with strawberries and cream for a “look, I’m brunching at home!” moment. No need to follow all the rules.

How to serve sweet breakfast

Here’s my favorite part of the whole thing. Serving suggestions. This is where you can really make it your own:

Warm up your shortcakes just before serving if you baked them earlier. Trust me, heat makes a difference.
Pile on more strawberries than you think is sane. It’s not a salad, but why not?
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling wild during summer.
Serve everything family-style – lay out the biscuits, fruit, and cream, and let everyone build their own tower.

People get weirdly competitive about whose is tallest. It’s hilarious.

How to store a sweet breakfast

Confession: strawberry shortcake doesn’t stay perfect forever, but you can save the parts.

Keep shortcakes at room temp in a container for up to two days. They get a little dense but pop ’em in the toaster and boom, better. Berries are happiest in the fridge, but don’t let them sit too long in sugar or they start to go mushy. Whipped cream? Right, make it fresh if you can. If not, it will hold for a few hours in the fridge, but give it a quick whisk to perk it back up before serving. Try to build your strawberry shortcake right before eating. Soggy bottom = tragic.

FAQ

Q: Can I use frozen strawberries to make strawberry shortcake?

A: Ugh, I mean, you can, but they’re never quite the same. They just don’t have that juicy pop. If you must, thaw and drain them well or you’ll get soup.

Q: What if I don’t have a biscuit cutter?

A: Use a glass or just cut rough squares with a knife. This isn’t a beauty contest (well, sort of).

Q: How far ahead can I make the components?

A: A day ahead for the shortcakes is fine. Berries, maybe a few hours. Whipped cream – do it close to serving for best fluff.

Q: Could I use store-bought whipped cream?

A: Look, I get lazy. But if you want the full “wow,” do the homemade. Worth the whisking, swear.

Q: Are there gluten-free options for strawberry shortcake?

A: Yep, swap the flour for a good gluten-free mix. Texture will shift a tad, but strawberries forgive all.

Ready to Make Mornings Sweeter?

There you go, friend – your homemade strawberry shortcake adventure is now unlocked. Skip the dry store stuff, make your kitchen smell amazing, and, well, enjoy breakfast and dessert in one go. Want more inspiration? This guide on how to freeze strawberries is super handy for enjoying berries out of season. Hope you love it as much as my family does. Try it, tweak it, make it messy – just don’t skip the whipped cream.