Strawberry Shortcake Recipe: A Beautiful Summer Dessert

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There’s something timeless about a strawberry shortcake. Light, airy cake layered with juicy, sweet strawberries and clouds of freshly whipped cream. It’s the perfect dessert to celebrate warm weather, garden parties, or a lakeside picnic. Today, I’m sharing my favorite Strawberry Shortcake recipe for a 10-inch cake: easy to make, beautifully rustic, and ideal for gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch, setting a romantic picnic by the lake, or just want to treat yourself, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your summer dessert rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Shortcake

This cake is:

• Simple to bake with everyday ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
  
• Elegant and charming enough to serve as a centerpiece on any table.
  
• Perfectly balanced: the buttery, tender cake pairs beautifully with lightly sweetened fresh strawberries and fluffy whipped cream.
  
• Ideal for picnics, celebrations, or a casual Sunday afternoon treat.
  

Plus, making it as a single-layer 10-inch cake keeps things stress-free, rustic, and oh-so-pretty.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to create this classic strawberry shortcake:

The cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  
• ¾ cup milk (whole milk or 2%)
  
• 2 large eggs
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  

The strawberries:

• 1 lb (about 3 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  
• ¼–½ cup granulated sugar (depending on the sweetness of your berries)
  

The whipped cream:

• 1½ cups heavy whipping cream, very cold
  
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Step-by-Step

1. Prepare the strawberries

Start by prepping the strawberries so they have time to macerate and get juicy.

• Place the hulled and sliced strawberries in a medium bowl.
  
• Sprinkle them with ¼–½ cup of sugar, depending on how sweet your berries are.
  
• Toss gently and let them sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes. The sugar draws out the juices, creating a naturally sweet syrup that makes this cake extra moist.

2. Bake the cake

This tender cake is as easy as it gets—no separate dry and wet ingredients to mix!

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  
• Grease and flour a 10-inch springform pan. (Tip: line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.)
  
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  
• Add the softened butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  
• Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter becomes smooth and creamy.
  
• Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top.
  
• Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then release the springform ring. Move the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
  

3. Make the whipped cream

Homemade whipped cream is what takes this dessert over the top.

• In a cold mixing bowl (chill it in the freezer for 10 minutes), add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
  
• Beat until medium peaks form—when the cream holds its shape but still looks soft and luscious.
  
• Keep chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.
  

5. Assemble the shortcake

The fun part!

• Place the cooled cake on a serving plate or cake stand.
  
• If the top is domed, carefully level it with a serrated knife.
  
• Brush some of the strawberry juice over the top of the cake for extra flavor and moisture.
  
• Spoon the sweetened strawberries and their juices over the cake.
  
• Finish with a thick layer of whipped cream.
  
• Garnish with a few whole strawberries, fresh mint leaves, or even edible flowers for a truly beautiful presentation.
  

Extra Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Shortcake

• Bake ahead: You can bake the cake a day in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature.
  
• Make it extra strawberry-rich: Mash a few strawberries into the syrup before spooning over the cake.
  
• Serve immediately: Assemble just before serving so the whipped cream stays fluffy and the cake doesn’t get soggy.
  
• Add texture: Sprinkle toasted almonds or crushed meringue pieces on top for a bit of crunch.
  
• Go rustic: Serve directly from the cake stand and let guests cut their own generous slices.
  

Serving Suggestions

This strawberry shortcake is a beautiful dessert for:

• A summer garden party or bridal shower.
  
• A Mother’s Day brunch served alongside lemonade and tea.
  
• Your next picnic by the lake: pack the cake, strawberries, and whipped cream separately and assemble right before serving.
  
• A weekend family dessert—simple yet special.
  

Pair it with sparkling rosé, fresh iced tea, or homemade lemonade for a refreshing, summery treat.

Why Fresh Strawberries Make All the Difference

Fresh, ripe strawberries are key to the best shortcake. When in season, their natural sweetness and fragrance shine, needing only a bit of sugar to create the most delicious syrup. If you’re making this dessert out of season, look for the ripest strawberries you can find, and consider adding a splash of lemon juice to balance their flavor.

Storage Tips

• Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 1–2 days, but the whipped cream will lose volume over time.
  
• If you know you’ll have leftovers, serve the whipped cream on the side instead of on top.
  

Final Thoughts

This easy, rustic Strawberry Shortcake recipe brings together everything I love about summer entertaining: fresh, colorful ingredients, a bit of homemade charm, and a dessert that looks beautiful without needing to be perfect. Whether you’re hosting a lakeside picnic (like I recently did with pink linens, zinnias in lemons, and a white cake stand) or simply enjoying a slice at home, this cake is a celebration of strawberries and sunshine.

Try It & Share!

If you bake this Strawberry Shortcake, I’d love to see how it turns out! Share your creations on Instagram and tag me @SimplyAshleyElaine or leave a comment below. Happy baking and happy summer!