Description
This Christmas Strawberry Shortcake recipe is a beautifully layered dessert featuring soft cake, fresh sugared strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream. Perfect for the holiday season, it combines sweet, creamy, and fresh flavors to create a festive showstopper that serves eight.
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberries
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup sugar
Cake
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake layers.
- Prepare Strawberries: In a bowl, mix the sliced strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and let them sit for 30 minutes. This allows the strawberries to macerate, releasing their juices and becoming sweet and tender.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and creamy, creating a smooth base for the batter.
- Add Eggs and Milk: Incorporate the eggs and milk into the creamed mixture, mixing well to ensure a uniform batter.
- Add Flour: Gradually sift in the cake flour, mixing until the batter is smooth and free of lumps but not overmixed, which helps keep the cake tender.
- Prepare Cake Pans: Grease your cake pans to prevent sticking and pour the batter evenly into them.
- Bake Cake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
- Make Whipped Cream: Using a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form to create a luscious, airy topping.
- Assemble Cake: Layer one cake with the macerated strawberries and whipped cream. Repeat layers as desired, building a tall, colorful shortcake.
- Finish and Serve: Top the assembled shortcake with the remaining strawberries and whipped cream, creating a festive and inviting presentation ready for serving.
Notes
- Ensure cakes are completely cooled before layering to prevent the whipped cream from melting.
- Macarate strawberries longer if you prefer a syrupy topping.
- Use chilled bowls and beaters when whipping cream for best results.
- Substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour plus a tablespoon of cornstarch for a lighter texture if cake flour is unavailable.
- For added flavor, consider brushing cake layers lightly with a strawberry syrup or liqueur before layering.
