Valentine Strawberry Shortcake with Cream (Printer-friendly)
Romantic layered dessert with tender shortcakes, sweet strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream—ideal for Valentine's Day.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 cold whole milk
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 tablespoon heavy cream for brushing
10 - 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for sprinkling
→ Strawberries
11 - 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
12 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
→ Whipped Cream
14 - 1 cup cold heavy cream
15 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
03 - Cut cold butter into the dry mixture using a pastry blender or fingertips until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour into dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined, avoiding overworking the dough.
05 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch thick round. Cut out 6 rounds using a 3-inch heart-shaped or round cutter. Arrange on prepared baking sheet.
06 - Brush the tops with heavy cream and sprinkle generously with coarse sugar.
07 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
08 - While shortcakes bake, combine sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to release juices.
09 - Beat cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
10 - Split each cooled shortcake in half horizontally. Spoon macerated strawberries and juices onto bottom halves, top with whipped cream, and crown with upper halves. Garnish with additional cream and fresh strawberries as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These shortcakes strike the perfect balance between crumbly and tender, with a secret trick of using very cold butter that creates those delightful flaky layers.
- The contrast between warm shortcake, cool whipped cream, and juicy strawberries creates a multi-sensory experience that feels special without requiring advanced baking skills.
02 -
- Handle the shortcake dough as little as possible, I learned after making hockey pucks instead of tender shortcakes the first few times I rushed through mixing.
- Allowing the strawberries to macerate for at least 30 minutes rather than the minimum 15 draws out significantly more juice, creating a more luscious experience.
03 -
- Freeze your mixing bowl and beaters for 15 minutes before whipping cream, a trick my grandmother taught me that creates more stable, voluminous whipped cream with less effort.
- When cutting the shortcake dough, press straight down without twisting the cutter, as twisting seals the edges and prevents the layers from rising properly.