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Strawberry Shortcake Cake: A Showstopping Summer Dessert
A Childhood Memory
When I was little, my family would drive to a pick-your-own strawberry farm every summer. The excitement of picking berries would fade under the shadeless June sun, but we kept going, lured by the promise of sweet rewards.
After a morning in the fields, my mom would whip up quick shortcakes using a biscuit mix—baked into golden mounds with crisp edges and soft, crumbly centers. We’d pile them high with fresh strawberries and clouds of whipped cream.
From Classic to Showstopper
Strawberry shortcake is a cookout staple, but for special occasions, why not elevate it? With the same effort as individual shortcakes, you can create a stunning three-tiered strawberry shortcake cake—guaranteed to impress.
Making the Perfect Shortcake Cakes
I wanted a cake that captured the flavors of my childhood but with a wow factor. The layers needed to be:
- Sturdy enough to stack
- Buttery, like a scone or biscuit
- Tender, like a classic layer cake
To achieve this, I used the reverse creaming method (popularized by Rose Levy Berenbaum). Instead of creaming butter and sugar first, you mix softened butter directly with the dry ingredients. This coats the flour, preventing gluten formation, resulting in a sturdy yet tender crumb.
Stabilized Whipped Cream
Whipped cream is essential for strawberry shortcake, but its lightness makes it tricky for layered cakes. The solution? Stabilized whipped cream, which holds its shape better and lasts longer.
For this recipe, I use cream cheese as the stabilizer—it adds a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
Swap Out the Strawberries
Strawberry season is fleeting, but you can adapt this recipe with other fruits. Try macerating:
- Peaches: Toss sliced peaches with sugar; flavor whipped cream with rum extract.
- Cherries: Pit and halve cherries, macerate with sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon. Pair with bourbon whipped cream.
- Plums: Macerate sliced plums with sugar + orange zest.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cake layers: Bake ahead and store at room temperature (up to 3 days) or freeze (up to 1 month).
- Strawberries & cream: Prepare just before assembling for the best texture.
Leftovers? No Problem
The cake is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers keep for 3 days in the fridge (though the strawberries will soften the layers). Cover cut sides with parchment to preserve moisture.
More Strawberry Recipes to Try
- Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
- Fresh Strawberry Jam
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe
Makes: Three 8-inch layers or two 9-inch layers
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 ⅔ cups (320g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) sugar
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
For the Strawberries
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
For the Whipped Cream
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Whole strawberries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour cake pans; line with parchment if desired.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- Add butter & buttermilk: Mix in butter until sandy (~2 min). Add buttermilk and vanilla; mix until combined.
- Incorporate eggs: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Beat 30 sec on medium-high until smooth.
- Bake: Divide batter evenly (15 oz per 8-inch pan; 22.5 oz per 9-inch pan). Bake:
- 8-inch layers: 21–24 min
- 9-inch layers: 28–33 min
- Cool: Let cakes cool in pans for 5 min, then transfer to a rack.
- Macerate strawberries: Toss sliced strawberries with sugar; let sit 30 min.
- Make whipped cream: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add heavy cream; whip to stiff peaks.
- Assemble: Layer cake, whipped cream, and strawberries. Top with extra cream and berries.
Storage: Best served fresh. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 383 | 26g | 35g | 4g |
Nutritional info is an estimate.
Enjoy this showstopping twist on a summer classic! 🍓✨
