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This Valentine’s strawberry shortcake is a sweet, soft delight that's perfect for sharing. Golden biscuits meet juicy, sugar-kissed strawberries and fluffy whipped cream for an easy, tasty celebration of fresh flavors.
I whipped this up for Valentine’s Day once and it wowed everyone with hardly any effort. It’s now my go-to sweet when I want to share some love in every bite.
What You’ll Need
- All-purpose flour: gives structure and softness, use unbleached for better taste and texture
- Sugar: sweetens the biscuits and strawberry mix, fine sugar melts in faster
- Baking powder: helps biscuits rise, fresh is key for fluffiness
- Salt: boosts flavor and balances the sweetness, just a pinch
- Unsalted butter: very cold and cubed so biscuits turn flaky, good quality really helps
- Heavy cream: makes dough moist and rich, full-fat works best
- Fresh strawberries: sliced to bring out the juicy sweetness, pick firm, ripe berries with no bruises
- Whipped cream: adds lightness and smooth finish, homemade or store-bought is fine
Step-by-Step Directions
- Heat Oven and Prep Pan
- Warm the oven to 400°F and line a baking pan with parchment so nothing sticks and cleanup's easy.
- Mix Dry Stuff and Work in Butter
- In a big bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until it looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add Cream and Form the Dough
- Pour in the cream and gently mix just until everything holds together without stickiness. Don’t overwork or biscuits won’t be light.
- Roll Out and Cut
- Put dough on a floured surface and roll to about 1 inch thick. Cut out rounds using a cookie cutter.
- Bake and Let Cool
- Place rounds on the pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly golden on top. Take them out and cool for a bit.
- Sweeten Strawberries
- While baking, toss sliced strawberries with sugar in a bowl and let them sit so they get juicy and sweet.
- Put It All Together
- Once biscuits cool, slice them horizontally. Spoon strawberries on bottom halves, add plenty of whipped cream, then top with the other biscuit half. Add more cream on top if you want and serve right away.
Making this shortcake brings back warm memories of winter nights baking with family and enjoying sweet treats together.
How to Store
Keep leftover biscuits in a sealed container at room temp for up to two days so they stay soft. Store strawberries and whipped cream apart till you’re ready to serve so everything stays fresh. If you make them ahead, warm biscuits in a low oven before serving to get that fresh-baked feel.
Swap Your Ingredients
Try buttermilk instead of heavy cream for a touch of tang and softer biscuits. A teaspoon of vanilla or some lemon zest in the dough adds more flavor. Fresh raspberries or blueberries are great if you want a twist on classic strawberries.
Best Things to Serve Alongside
Go with chilled sparkling rosé or a calming herbal tea like chamomile. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream makes it extra special. Fresh mint leaves on top add color and a fresh scent.
Have fun making this classic strawberry shortcake, which easily mixes fresh ingredients with cozy flavors. It’s sure to become a favorite for any time you want something sweet.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → Which flour works best for shortcakes?
All-purpose flour strikes the right mix for shortcakes that stay soft but don’t fall apart.
- → Can I swap heavy cream for something else?
Heavy cream is great for a rich, moist feel. You could try half-and-half for a lighter version, but it won’t be as creamy or tender.
- → How can I keep shortcakes from getting soggy?
Make sure shortcakes cool all the way before you add anything. Also, let strawberries release their juices separately to keep things from getting too wet.
- → How do I get even shortcakes when cutting the dough?
Use a round cutter and press straight down—don’t twist—to keep edges tidy and help them rise well.
- → Is it okay to make parts ahead of time?
You can bake shortcakes earlier and save them. Just put everything together right before serving so it stays fresh.