Looking for the perfect summer dessert that combines light, fluffy cake with sweet strawberries and airy whipped cream? This Summer Strawberry Shortcake is the ultimate seasonal treat. It’s fresh, fruity, and perfect for warm weather gatherings, BBQs, or a weekend indulgence with the family.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Classic flavor combination of strawberries, whipped cream, and soft cake
Perfect summer dessert for picnics, birthdays, and holidays
Made from simple, fresh ingredients
Easy to prepare and assemble at home
🍰 Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
For the Filling & Frosting:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups fresh strawberries (hulled and halved)
½ cup strawberry jam or glaze
👩🍳 Instructions
Bake the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating between the two, mixing just until combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
🍓 Assembly
- Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Place one cake layer on a cake stand. Spread a layer of whipped cream, a few spoonfuls of jam, and a generous amount of sliced strawberries.
- Top with the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides with remaining whipped cream.
- Garnish with whole or halved strawberries and optional drizzles of jam or glaze.
🧁 Tips for the Best Shortcake
Use room temperature ingredients for a fluffy cake texture.
For extra flavor, macereate the strawberries with a little sugar 10 minutes before using.
Keep the cake chilled until serving to preserve the whipped cream.