Biscuit-like cake layers combined with sweet macerated strawberries and fresh whipped cream make this beautiful dessert a true show stopper. Instead of individual strawberry shortcakes, this recipe is perfect for a party or a crowd.
Why this recipe works so well
This “from scratch” cake recipe is worth the little bit of extra effort and is actually quite easy. This is a shortcake cake, not individual biscuits.
However, the texture of the cake is more like a biscuit than a pillowy, sponge cake. And because of that, the layers truly hold up to the juicy strawberries like strawberry shortcake should.
Because this version is a whole cake rather than individual servings, I find it so much better when serving to multiple guests.
Expert Tips and FAQs:
After reading through the instruction you can print the recipe at the end of the post. All ingredients and measurements are listed there.
- Shortening – Regular or butter flavored should be fine. We have not tried substituting with butter. However, it’s common knowledge that you can swap shortening for butter and vice versa in baking.
- Milk – For the best cake we recommend whole milk, but you can use 2% instead. We have not tested this recipe with dairy free milks.
- Lemon zest – We will zest lemons before juicing and slicing for other recipes and often have zest in the freezer. You can do it the other way too! Zest your lemon, then juice it and freeze the juice in ice cube trays.
- Strawberries – Being that these are the star of the show, be sure to find gorgeous, plump, ripe berries! For a pretty presentation, do not hull the garnish berries. The leaves add a nice pop of green. Leave some berries whole and cut others in half. Pile randomly on top.
- Heavy whipping cream – If you prefer, you can use a tub of Cool Whip. We prefer to make our own when we can!
How to make strawberry shortcake cake:
Please note that there is a printable version of this recipe farther down in this post. The instructions below include step by step photos to help you visualize the process. Please print the recipe below to get the ingredient list and measurements.
- In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup of sugar, the flour, shortening, milk, egg, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt.
- With mixer at medium speed, beat mixture until well combined and a soft dough forms.
- Spread (it will be thick, not pourable) the dough evenly into the prepared cake pan.
- Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Meanwhile while the cake is baking, remove 6-8 nice looking berries and set aside for garnish (see tip above).
- Wash and hull the remaining berries.
- Cut the berries into fourths.
- Sprinkle the cut strawberries with 1/3 cup sugar to macerate, mash slightly. This is an important part of strawberry shortcake filling!
- Beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar until medium-soft peaks form. It should be firm but not stiff. Set aside.
- Remove cake from the oven and invert onto a plate or cutting board.
- Using a bread knife, carefully split hot shortcake horizontally. You can also use non-flavored dental floss!
- Spread both halves of the cake evenly with softened butter.
- Spoon half of macerated strawberry mixture onto the bottom half of the cake.
- Spread half of the whipped cream on top of the berry layer.
- Place other cake half on top and spoon remaining macerated strawberry mixture over the top.
- Spread the remaining whipped cream over the macerated strawberries.
- To decorate, garnish with the reserved strawberries.
TIP: Watch the video in this blog post to see this cake being made.
More amazing strawberry recipes:
Strawberries are my favorite fruit, hands down. Here are several strawberry recipes that I think you will love!
- Strawberry Pie with jello, like grandma used to make!
- Our super pretty Strawberry Cake is made from scratch with a little help from strawberry jello.
- Start your day with this fresh Strawberry Banana Smoothie or this beautiful Strawberry Beet Smoothie. If muffins are more your thing, these Fresh Strawberry Muffins are amazing.
- The delicious cousin to my most popular recipe, Pineapple Dream, is this amazing Strawberry Dream dessert.
- If frozen treats are your jam, try my Strawberry Frozen Yogurt as well as these Strawberry Banana Popsicles!
- Let’s not forget about the cocktails! Strawberry Kiwi Sangria is perfect for a bridal shower or brunch. And of course, who doesn’t love a Strawberry Margarita!
- And honestly, who can resist decadent chocolate covered strawberries.
- But that’s truly not all, I have a lot more. You can see all the strawberry recipes here.
- I urge all shortcake fans to try my Strawberry Shortcake Trifle this summer as well.
- This Strawberry Lasagna is creamy, dreamy, and bursting with strawberry bliss.
- This gorgeous, show-stopping Strawberry Bundt Cake will wow your guests.
- These Strawberry Shortcakes are a delicate dessert for spring and summer parties!
I found this original cake recipe in my favorite cookbook of all time, the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook. I’ve changed it slightly by adding whipped cream to the inner layer and making a couple other tweaks. If I could only keep one cookbook from my collection, it would be this one.
I love to bake and cook and share my recipes with you! I know it’s hard to remember to come back and search, so I’ve made it easy for you with my weekly newsletter! You can subscribe for free and I’ll send you delicious recipes every week right to your email.
Strawberry Shortcake
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
Shortcake
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup shortening
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Toppings/Filling
- 2 pounds strawberries divided
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter or margarine softened
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Things You'll Need
Before You Begin
- Shortening - Regular or butter flavored should be fine. You can substitute butter if you prefer but the cake texture may be a little different. We are going for biscuit texture, not sponge cake texture.
- Milk - For the best cake we recommend whole milk, but you can use 2% instead. We have not tested this recipe with dairy free milks.
- Lemon zest - Zest lemons before juicing and slicing and store zest in the freezer. You can do it the other way too! Zest your lemon, then juice it and freeze the juice in ice cube trays.
- Strawberries - Being that these are the star of the show, be sure to find gorgeous, plump, ripe berries! For a pretty presentation, do not hull the garnish berries. The leaves add a nice pop of green. Leave some berries whole and cut others in half. Pile randomly on top. You might not use all of the garnish berries.
- Heavy whipping cream - If you prefer, you can use a tub of Cool Whip. We prefer to make our own when we can!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450° F. Butter or spray a 9-inch round cake pan.
Prepping
- Remove 6-8 nice looking berries and set aside for garnish.
- Wash and hull the remaining berries. Cut into fourths and sprinkle with 1/3 cup sugar to macerate, mash slightly.
- Beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar until medium-soft peaks form. It should be firm but not stiff. Set aside.
To Make the Shortcake
- In a medium bowl, measure 1/4 cup sugar, flour, shortening, milk, egg, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt.
- With mixer at medium speed, beat mixture until well combined and a soft dough forms. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared cake pan. Bake 15 minutes or until golden on top.
- Remove cake from the oven and invert onto a plate. Using a bread knife, carefully split hot shortcake horizontally. You can also use plain (no flavorings) dental floss!
- Spread both halves of the cake evenly with softened butter.
Topping and Filling the Shortcake
- Spoon half of macerated strawberry mixture onto the bottom half of the cake. Spread half of the whipped cream on top of the berry layer.
- Place other cake half on top and spoon remaining macerated strawberry mixture over the top.
- Spread the remaining whipped cream over the macerated strawberries.
- To decorate, garnish with the reserved strawberries.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Isabel Maldonado says
Can you use frozen strawberries?
Amanda Davis says
Technically you could, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Frozen strawberries will need to be thawed and drained and they will not have the same consistency or appearance.
Keri says
Really delicious cake, but did crumble apart a bit. I added a little more milk, because my dough was a bit dry for me. I also baked at 425 – not 450- and baked for 15 mins. Cake was perfectly baked, just didn’t hold together all that well when slicing. I sliced warm per instructions. If I were to make again, I would double recipe and use two 9” rounds and just skip the slicing in half process.
Peg says
I just made this recipe and it was done in 11 minutes instead of 15. When I turned it out in a plate, it was very crumbly around the edges. To thin to cut in half. Next time I would put in an 8 inch instead of a 9 inch. I’m going to make it with the berries but I’m just going to cut the cake in half and use the other half as the top. I’ll end up with hopefully a nice looking half cake.
Destyni says
I made this cake today and followed the recipe to the T! It came out like you said soft and crumbly. I just said forget it and threw it away sigh
Katie says
Whipped this up and it was a little bit of a disappointment. I followed the recipe exactly but my shortcake ended up very dry, brittle, and tough. It did not rise to a fluffy consistency. And it was too thin to cut in half and too stiff to cut into. It was like a brick. However, it was very tasty and you were still able to bite into it. It wasn’t so much a cake but more of a cookie or a tarte. I think this would work as a pie crust.
Jean says
Tried this recipe twice, but each time it came out too crumbly and soft. No way I could cut it in half without it falling apart. The crumbs tasted good, but did not use it for my granddaughters birthday, unfortunately.
sarah says
Can I make a day ahead or will it get soggy?
Amanda Formaro says
1 day ahead and refrigerated it should be fine
Carole says
Can’t we make this strawberry shortcake a day before the event and keep it in the fridge since there is cream
Amanda Formaro says
Yes
Debbie Harding says
Shortcake HEAVEN!
Excellent recipe! Thanks for posting!❤️