Valentines Day Strawberry Shortcake (Printable Version)

Classic strawberry shortcakes with sweet berries and light whipped cream, ideal for a special occasion.

# Ingredient List:

→ Shortcakes

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
06 - 2/3 cup whole milk
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for topping, optional

→ Macerated Strawberries

10 - 1.5 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
11 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional

→ Whipped Cream

13 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
14 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
15 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
03 - Add cold cubed butter and cut it in using a pastry blender or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
05 - Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and gently pat into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Cut into 6 rounds using a 2.5-inch cutter or glass. Place on baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
07 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
08 - In a bowl, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Toss and set aside for at least 20 minutes to macerate.
09 - Beat cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
10 - Split each shortcake horizontally. Layer bottom half with macerated strawberries and whipped cream. Top with shortcake half and additional strawberries and cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The shortcakes are buttery and crumbly in all the right ways, with a tender crumb that practically melts on your tongue.
  • Making whipped cream from scratch takes five minutes and tastes infinitely better than anything from a can, I promise.
  • This dessert actually gets better when you macerate the strawberries ahead of time, so you can assemble everything at the last minute without stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip the maceration step—those strawberry juices soaking into the warm shortcake is where all the magic happens, and it transforms the whole dessert from good to unforgettable.
  • If your whipped cream starts to look grainy or slightly separated, you've gone too far; there's no saving it, so beat it to soft peaks and stop.
03 -
  • Keep everything as cold as possible—cold butter, cold cream, cold bowl for whipping—because temperature is what separates a tender shortcake from a dense one.
  • If you're making this ahead, bake the shortcakes earlier in the day, macerate the strawberries a few hours in advance, and whip the cream just before assembly to keep it light and fluffy.
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