Strawberry Shortcake: A Summertime Classic
There’s something timeless and utterly delightful about a Strawberry Shortcake that makes it a staple for summer gatherings. The blend of fluffy sponge, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream is not just a treat for the palate but a feast for the eyes. Here’s how to create this classic dessert from scratch.
Ingredients:
For the Sponge Cake:
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 large eggs, separated and at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
For the Strawberry Simple Syrup:
- ¾ cup water
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup sliced strawberries
For the Strawberry Puree (optional for decorating):
- ½ lb strawberries
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Whipped Cream Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- 4 cups cold heavy whipping cream
For the Strawberries for Filling:
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
Directions:
Sponge Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9″ cake or springform pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and lemon juice until foamy. Gradually add ½ cup sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- In a new bowl, whisk egg yolks with the remaining ½ cup sugar until fluffy. Gradually mix in the oil, water, and vanilla.
- Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the yolk mixture and fold gently. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites and repeat until all is combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Strawberry Simple Syrup:
- Combine water, sugar, and strawberries in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then cool and strain.
Strawberry Puree:
- Cook strawberries and sugar until juicy. Mix cornstarch with water, add to the berries, and boil briefly until thickened. Blend and cool.
Whipped Cream Frosting:
- Chill the mixer bowl and whisk. Beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add the cream and whip to stiff peaks.
Assembly:
- Slice the cooled cake horizontally into three layers. Brush each layer with the strawberry syrup.
- Spread a layer of whipped cream over the first cake layer, then top with sliced strawberries. Repeat for the next layer and cover with the final cake layer.
- Frost the top and sides with the remaining whipped cream and decorate with the strawberry puree.
Nutritional Information:
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Calories: 580 kcal per serving
- Servings: 8
This Strawberry Shortcake is not just a dessert, it’s a beautiful centerpiece for your summer celebrations. The optional strawberry puree adds a gourmet touch that will impress your guests and tantalize their taste buds. Enjoy the fruits of your labor with this delightful creation!
PrintStrawberry Shortcake
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Classic Strawberry Shortcake is not just a dessert, it’s a celebration of summer’s bounty. This timeless delight layers airy sponge cake with luscious strawberries and cloud-like whipped cream. Each layer melds together to create a symphony of textures and flavors, making each bite a perfect blend of sweet and creamy.
Ingredients
Sponge Cake:
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
4 large eggs separated, at room temperature
½ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
Strawberry Simple Syrup:
¾ cup water
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup sliced strawberries
Strawberry Puree (optional for decorating):
½ lb strawberries
3 tablespoons sugar
½ tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
Whipped Cream Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
4 cups cold heavy whipping cream
Strawberries for Filling:
1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
Sponge Cake:
Preheat the oven to 350° (180°). Line a 9″ cake or springform pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and lemon juice until foamy. Gradually add ½ cup sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form.
In a new bowl, whisk egg yolks with remaining ½ cup sugar until fluffy. Slowly mix in oil, water, and vanilla.
Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the yolk mixture and fold. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites. Repeat until all is combined. Pour into the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
Strawberry Simple Syrup:
Combine water, sugar, and strawberries in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Cool and store.
Strawberry Puree:
Cook strawberries and sugar until juicy. Mix cornstarch and water, add to berries, and boil briefly. Blend and cool.
Whipped Cream Frosting:
Chill mixer bowl and whisk. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Gradually add cream and whip to stiff peaks.
Assembly:
Slice cake horizontally into three layers. Brush each with syrup. Layer with whipped cream and strawberries. Cover with more cream. Decorate with puree.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 580 Kcal