Classic Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe – Easy Dessert

Discover the best Classic Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe! This easy dessert features fluffy cake, fresh strawberries, and sweet whipped cream. Perfect for any occasion!

As the warm spring breeze carries the scent of freshly blooming flowers, I crave the flavors of strawberry shortcake. The mix of fluffy vanilla cake, juicy strawberries, and whipped cream takes me back to simpler times. It reminds me of picnics, family gatherings, and pure joy.

If you love this timeless treat like I do, you’re in for a treat. Today, I’m excited to share a recipe for a Classic Strawberry Shortcake Cake. It’s easy to make and captures the essence of this beloved dessert.

Key Takeaways

• This classic strawberry shortcake cake combines the traditional flavors of a strawberry shortcake in an elegant cake form.
• The recipe is easy to follow and takes just 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect choice for spring and summer celebrations.
• The cake features moist vanilla cake layers, fresh strawberries, and a creamy whipped cream frosting, creating a delightful balance of flavors.
• With just 311-408 calories per serving, this dessert is a guilt-free indulgence that’s sure to impress your guests.
• The step-by-step instructions and helpful tips will guide you through the process, ensuring a successful and visually stunning cake every time.

Why This Classic Strawberry Shortcake Cake Will Become Your Favorite

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s perfect in every way, look no further. This strawberry shortcake cake is a winner. It has moist vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, and a light whipped cream frosting. It’s a treat for your taste buds.

Perfect Balance of Flavors

The secret to this strawberry shortcake‘s amazing taste is in the mix of ingredients. The cake uses buttermilk, oil, and butter for a tender crumb. This pairs well with the sweet and tart strawberries. The whipped cream frosting adds just the right amount of sweetness, making each bite a delight.

Elegant Yet Easy to Make

This strawberry shortcake cake looks impressive but is easy to make. It needs basic ingredients and is simple to assemble. You can make it in just 30 minutes, perfect for impressing guests without spending hours cooking.

Crowd-Pleasing Dessert

This strawberry shortcake cake is perfect for any gathering. It’s easy to serve in individual portions, and everyone loves it. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh strawberries and impress your guests with a memorable dessert.

This classic strawberry shortcake cake is a must-try. It’s a perfect mix of flavors, easy to make, and loved by all. Get ready to impress your loved ones with this amazing summer dessert!

Essential Ingredients for Your Strawberry Shortcake

Making the perfect strawberry shortcake starts with picking the right ingredients. You need fresh strawberries and a light shortcake base. Each part is key to getting the classic taste and texture of this dessert. Let’s look at what you need for a memorable strawberry shortcake cake recipe.

The main ingredient is 2 pounds of fresh strawberries. These berries are the heart, giving the dessert its sweet and juicy flavor. You also need 1¼ cups of buttermilk for a moist shortcake, along with ½ cup of unsalted butter and ½ cup of neutral cooking oil for extra richness.

To sweeten it, 1½ cups of granulated sugar are a must. 4 eggs help mix everything together. A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds a nice aroma. The dry ingredients include 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt for a light texture.

For the topping, you’ll need 2¼ cups of heavy whipping cream and ¾ cup of powdered sugar. 1½ teaspoons of unflavored gelatin keeps the whipped cream stable and perfect.

With these ingredients, you’re ready to make a delicious strawberry shortcake. It will taste amazing and impress everyone.

For the Shortcake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour – for a soft and tender base
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar – adds slight sweetness
• 1 tbsp baking powder – helps the shortcake rise
• 1/2 tsp salt – balances flavors
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed) – creates a flaky texture
• 3/4 cup heavy cream or buttermilk – keeps the shortcake moist
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – enhances flavor

For the Strawberries:

• 1 lb fresh strawberries (sliced) – the star of the dessert
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar – macerates the strawberries, bringing out their juices
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional) – adds brightness

For the Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream – light and fluffy topping
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar – lightly sweetens the cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – enhances the flavor

Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed

To make the perfect easy strawberry shortcake, you’ll need some key baking tools and equipment. Before starting your how do you make strawberry shortcake journey, collect these items:

Baking Essentials

• Three 8-inch round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• A large mixing bowl
• An electric mixer or stand mixer
• A medium-sized bowl for dry ingredients
• A spatula
• A whisk

Mixing and Measuring Tools

1. Measuring cups and spoons
2. A cake leveler (optional, but helpful)

Decorating Equipment

For the final touches on your easy strawberry shortcake recipe, you’ll need:

• Piping bags
• An Ateco 848 piping tip (optional)
• A microwave-safe bowl for the gelatin

With these tools and equipment ready, you’re set to make a stunning how do you make strawberry shortcake. It will surely impress your friends and family.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe – Step-by-Step Guide

Making a classic strawberry shortcake cake is simple. Follow this guide to bake a dessert that will impress everyone. It’s a single-layer cake, great for summer gatherings.

First, heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a big bowl, mix the unsalted butter, oil, and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Then, add the vanilla extract.

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
3. Divide the batter evenly between your prepared baking pans and bake for 24-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting and assembling.

For a lighter, flakier shortcake, preheat to 425°F (220°C) and bake for 15-18 minutes. This will give your cake the perfect texture.

Now that your cakes are baked and cooled, it’s time to make your strawberry shortcake cake. Prepare the macerated strawberries and whipped cream. Layer everything together for a delicious dessert. Enjoy!

Making the Perfect Whipped Cream Frosting

Take your best strawberry shortcake recipe to the next level with a creamy whipped cream frosting. It should be light, airy, and hold its shape well. Follow these easy steps to make the perfect easy strawberry shortcake recipe topping.

Tips for Stabilized Whipped Cream

To keep your whipped cream firm, add a special ingredient – unflavored gelatin. Start by mixing gelatin with cold water until it blooms. Then, warm the gelatin in the microwave until it’s liquid.

Slowly add the warm gelatin to your whipped cream while it’s beating. This ensures the cream stays firm without melting or dripping.

Proper Piping Techniques

When your whipped cream is ready, it’s time to decorate. Use a large star-shaped piping tip, like the Ateco 848, for a fancy look. This tip helps you pipe tall, beautiful swirls on your best strawberry shortcake recipe.

Keep your piping bag straight and apply steady pressure. This will help you get even, neat shapes.

With these tips, you’ll make a whipped cream frosting that’s perfect for your easy strawberry shortcake recipe. Enjoy the mix of fluffy cream and sweet strawberries in every bite.

How to Prepare and Macerate Strawberries

Making the perfect strawberry shortcake begins with preparing the strawberries right. Follow these easy steps to make your strawberries full of flavor. They’ll make your classic strawberry shortcake cake recipe even better.

1. Hull and quarter 2 pounds of fresh, ripe strawberries. Save about ⅓ of the quartered berries for the top of your cakes.
2. Chop the rest of the strawberries into small pieces.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the chopped strawberries with ⅓ cup of granulated sugar. Stir gently to coat the berries well.
4. Let the sugared strawberries sit at room temperature for about 1 hour. Stir them a few times during this time. This step, called macerating, helps get the berries’ juices out.
5. After the hour is over, strain the strawberries, keeping the juice. Use the strained berries in your cake and the juice for drizzling or in the whipped cream.

Getting the strawberries ready and macerating them is key to a great strawberry shortcake. The juicy, sweet berries will match the soft biscuit and creamy whipped cream. This makes for a dessert that’s truly amazing.

By doing these steps, you’ll have strawberries that are ready to make your strawberry shortcake cake even more delicious and textured.

Assembly and Decoration Tips

Making the perfect how do you make strawberry shortcake is more than baking. The way you put it together and decorate it matters a lot. Here are some expert tips to make your strawberry shortcake look and taste amazing:

Layer Stacking Method

First, let your cake layers cool down completely. Then, use a serrated knife to make the tops even. This makes sure your cake is flat and ready for the next step.

Spread a thin layer of whipped cream frosting on the first cake layer. Next, pipe a border around the edge. This border will hold the strawberries in place.

Now, fill the center with the sweet, juicy strawberries. Do the same with the second layer.

Professional Finishing Touches

To get a semi-naked look, spread a thin layer of frosting on the sides. This lets the cake layers show through. Top it off with whipped cream swirls and arrange the strawberries nicely.

Chill the cake in the fridge for at least an hour. This lets the flavors mix and the frosting set. It makes your cake even better.

By using these tips, you’ll make a how do you make strawberry shortcake that’s both tasty and beautiful. Share this classic best strawberry shortcake recipe with your loved ones for a dessert they’ll remember.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

The strawberry shortcake cake recipe tastes best when eaten within 2-3 days. To keep it fresh, store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. This prevents the cake from drying out. Remember, the fresh fruit can make the cake layers soggy over time.

You can prepare parts of the recipe ahead of time. Bake the cake layers, prepare the strawberries, and make the whipped cream frosting separately. This saves time on the day you serve the easy strawberry shortcake recipe. Just keep the parts in the fridge until you’re ready to put the cake together.

By following these tips, your strawberry shortcake cake recipe will stay fresh and delicious. It will impress your guests whenever you’re ready to serve it.

FAQ

What is the total preparation time for this Strawberry Shortcake Cake recipe?

It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare this Strawberry Shortcake Cake.

How many servings does this recipe make?

You can serve 6-8 people with this recipe.

What is the calorie count per serving?

Each serving has between 311-408 calories.

What are the key ingredients in this Strawberry Shortcake Cake?

The main ingredients are fresh strawberries, moist vanilla cake, and light whipped cream frosting.

When is this Strawberry Shortcake Cake recipe best enjoyed?

Enjoy it in spring and summer for the best taste.

How does this Strawberry Shortcake Cake differ from a traditional strawberry shortcake?

This cake turns traditional strawberry shortcake into a fancy cake. It’s great for parties.