Name: Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 9
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup melted butter; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup milk; 1-2 pounds fresh strawberries (hulled, sliced, and sweetened to your liking); 2-4 cups freshly whipped cream (sweetened if you like)

ThisEasy Strawberry Shortcake Recipetakes a favorite dessert and turns it into asimple, sturdy cake, keeping the classic taste and helping you get it into the oven in only 10 minutes! You can’t go wrong with a fluffy cakelayered with strawberries, and a topping of homemade whipped cream.

I look forward to strawberry shortcake every year.It means warm weather is here, and strawberries are ripe for the picking.This has been one of my favorite desserts since childhood, and I’m excited to share this classic shortcake recipe with you. Don’t forget the whipped cream on top!

This is the perfect dessert for springtime, but it can be enjoyed year-round with fresh or frozen strawberries. It can also be tweaked and enjoyed with thisShortcake Biscuit recipeand as aSheet Cake. Every version is delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Quick & Easy:This recipe is perfect for a quick, delicious dessert. It requires just 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes to make.
Basic Ingredients:It uses common pantry items and fresh strawberries, making it easy to whip up without a special trip to the store.
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a classic dessert that almost everyone loves. Whether it’s for a casual get-together or a special occasion, this dessert always gets rave reviews.
Fresh & Seasonal: Using fresh strawberries makes it feel light and summery. It’s a great way to highlight in-season fruit and enjoy something that feels both nostalgic and fresh!

Recipe Ingredients

Granulated Sugar
Butter—If using unsalted butter you may want to add a pinch, up to 1/4 teaspoon, of salt to the recipe.
Egg
All-Purpose Flour
Milk—I like to use whole milk to keep the cake from being too dry.
Strawberries —Fresh is best, but you can use frozen in a pinch — see tips below.
Whipped cream—I lovefreshly made whipped creammost of all!

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

A bowl of dough with a spoon sits next to a bowl of fresh strawberries, ready to create the best strawberry shortcake. Nearby are two eggs, one cracked, and a stick of butter wrapped in paper, all resting on a pristine white surface.

How To Make Easy Strawberry Shortcake

A white bowl with strawberry shortcake mixture and a wire whisk.

A square pan filled with shortcake dough ready for the oven.

Step 1:Prepare the strawberries ahead of time. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking dish. In a medium bowl, add the sugar and melted butter and stir to combine well.

Step2:Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine. Then add the other dry ingredients, and beat with a stand mixer on medium-high speed to combine. Add the milk and beat again until the mixture is smooth with no lumps. Place the batter in the prepared pan.

a square pan with a bake strawberry shortcake golden brown and ready for toppings.

strawberries on a dense shortbread crust and whipped cream.

Step 3:Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cake is lightly golden brown and springs back when lightly touched.

Step 4:Let cool for 30 minutes before serving. Split cake pieces in half and add berries and whipped topping, garnishing if desired.

Recipe FAQs

What happens when you put sugar on a strawberry?

I like to add a tablespoon or two of sugar to my cut strawberries and let them sit while I make the shortcake. This gives the strawberries time to release their juices and makes a nice syrup to drizzle on top of the shortcakes. So good.

How do I make the whipped cream?

To make whipped cream, I add 1-2 cups of heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer or electric mixer and whip the cream until soft peaks form. It’s so much better than anything pre-made from the store. It’s very worth the 5 minutes of prep if you ask me.

How do I serve strawberry shortcake?

To serve strawberry shortcake, I slice the cake into nine pieces. Remove one piece from the pan and split it down the middle. Top half of the cake with strawberries and whipped cream, add the second half of the cake, and top with more whipped cream and strawberries.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Just make sure to thaw them and drain any excess liquid before sweetening and using them in the recipe. This will prevent the cake from becoming too soggy.

Expert Tips

Room Temp Ingredients:Ensure yourbutter, egg, and milk are at room temperaturebefore mixing. This helps them blend smoothly into the batter, making a moreeven and tender cake texture.
Smooth Batter:Use anelectric mixer to combine the ingredientsthoroughly, especially after adding the milk. Thisensures a smooth batter without any lumps, creating a more consistent and light cake.
Other Flavor Options:Of course strawberry shortcake is divine, but if you’re a fan of berries in general, then be sure to try mixing it up and use blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries!
Frozen Berries:If using frozen berries, be sure to thaw them and drain any excess liquid before sweetening and using them in the recipe. This will prevent the cake from becoming too soggy.

A baked cake cut into squares sits on parchment paper, resembling the best strawberry shortcake. Accompanying it are two bowls: one filled with sliced strawberries and the other with whipped cream. A silver spoon rests invitingly in the whipped cream bowl.

Our Favorite Strawberry Cake Recipes

There are so many variations of classic strawberry shortcake, and you should probably try them all!

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Cake:The perfect treat when you want somethingsweet and impressivewithout the hassle.
Homemade Strawberry Cake:A combination offluffy cake layers, velvety strawberry frosting, and fresh strawberries!
Biscuit Recipe for Strawberry Shortcake:And if you like the traditional biscuits for your shortcake, this one is alightly sweet biscuit.