Strawberry shortcake is America’s take on the quintessentially British scones with cream and jam. Fresher, looser, less “proper”, and somehow more bountiful – for me, strawberry shortcake wins hands down.
Strawberry shortcake
(makes 6)
- 500g strawberries – rinsed, hulled, and sliced
- 1/2 cup caster sugar
- zest and juice of a lemon
- 1/2 tsp salt (plus a pinch)
- 2 cups plain flour
- 1 Tb baking powder
- 4 Tb (60g) cold, unsalted butter, diced
- 2 cups (500ml) double cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Combine the strawberries, 1/4 cup of sugar, lemon zest, juice, and a pinch of salt. Leave to sit at room temperature while you make the shortcakes.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, two tablespoons of the remaining sugar, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl.
- Rub the butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips. Add half (250ml) of the double cream and mix until the dough comes together.
- Roll out the dough to a 3/4 inch thickness. Using a round cutter with a 3″ diameter, cut out six shortcakes.
- Bake about 15 minutes, or until golden, then cool on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, whisk the remaining cream until firm. Sprinkle over the remaining sugar and the vanilla and whisk to combine.
- Split the shortcakes in half, fill with strawberries and whipped cream and serve immediately.
Ten More Bites 
I have never had strawberry shortcake and had no idea that they were similar to our scones! Yours look gorgeous – may have to try them! 🙂
They are very yummy – you won’t regret it!
Thank you! They’re pretty similar, though I’ve always had better luck with shortcake than scones – I don’t seem to have the right touch for them..
Sounds so yummy but I won’t be making strawberry shortcake this year as no local berries have been available. Those huge tasteless imported monsters don’t make it
I agree – nothing more disappointing than a beautiful, bright-red strawberry that tastes of cotton wool…
I agree – the scones are a slog when using a knife or fork. I want to try this recipe with strawberries from my new garden.
Have a great trip in Canada. We are off to the Halcyon Hotsprings near Nakusp on Friday.
Your blogs are great.
Love to you and your beautiful family, Cath >
Thanks Cathy — it’s a shame we won’t manage to meet up in Canada this summer. Maybe next time, or see you guys over here?
I love every sort of shortcake! Mine was delicious and yours sounds (and looks) fabulous! xoxo 🙂
I’m with you on that!