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Berry Burst Shortcakes is a homemade, fresh and easy dessert that’s ready in about 40 minutes. Whip up a batch for your summer entertaining, and these shortcakes are perfect for a make-your-own dessert bar
I’m not much of a dessert person. I like desserts, and when I do eat them I go all in. But normally I can’t even think about eating anything else by the time I’m done with dinner.
When I do make an exception, I make it count. So I do it for a homemade dessert or something I’ve been craving.
In the spirit of summertime, I wanted an easy and fresh dessert. I recently learned to make homemade whipped cream, and also love my Cheddar Chive Drop Biscuits. So I used those as the inspiration for Berry Burst Shortcakes
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- It’s very easy to make.
- It’s perfect for a party dessert bar.
- Everything is homemade.
HOMEMADE BISCUITS
Homemade drop biscuits are so easy to make! All you do is mix, drop, and bake.
Use cold butter…if not, your biscuits will be dense.
I prefer to use unsalted butter for baking.
HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM
Fresh whipped cream is easier than you think! All you need is heavy whipping cream, Vanilla Extract, and Powdered Sugar. And in about 4 minutes, it’s done.
Use pure vanilla extract. Yes, it’s more expensive than imitation, but it tastes so much better.
Use powdered sugar. It has a little bit of cornstarch, which helps stabilize the whipped cream and hold its integrity longer.
Use a chilled metal bowl, and don’t add the sugar until the cream begins to thicken. I put the bowl into the fridge before starting anything else.
You can use a Stand Mixer or a Hand Mixer. I typically use a stand mixer.
MACERATED FRUIT
It’s nearly impossible to mess up macerated fruit. All you need is fresh fruit, Granulated Sugar, and 30 minutes.
I use strawberries for this recipe, but you can macerate any type of fruit. The sugar extracts the juice and creates a beautiful “sauce”.
Use fresh fruit. That makes a big difference in flavor, and the fruit practically melts in your mouth.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
MASCERATE THE FRUIT
Core the strawberries and cut into pieces. I cut each strawberry into 4 pieces.
Add strawberries to a bowl, pour in sugar and mix together. Let rest for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
MAKE THE BISCUITS
Dice butter into small cubes, and put the butter into a bowl.
The heat from your hands will begin to soften the butter almost immediately, so put the bowl into the freezer for about 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add butter and, using a Pastry Cutter or a long-tined fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture. The mixture should look like coarse meal.
Add buttermilk and stir to combine.
The mixture will be sticky, and that’s what you want!
Using a 1/4 cup scoop, drop mixture onto Baking Sheet lined with Parchment Paper.
Space scoops evenly on the baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven. After 2 minutes, transfer biscuits to a Cooling Rack to cool.
MAKE THE WHIPPED CREAM
Add heavy cream to the chilled metal bowl. Mix on medium-high for 1 minute. Stop mixer, add vanilla and powdered sugar, and beat for another 2 minutes, until stiff peaks have formed.
ASSEMBLE THE BERRY BURST SHORTCAKES
STEP 1: Carefully cut biscuits in half lengthwise. Lay the bottom halves on a platter.
STEP 2: Dollop a generous amount of whipped cream onto the bottom half of each biscuit
STEP 3: Carefully spoon strawberries onto whipped cream. Add a little of the sauce as well.
STEP 4: Place top half of biscuit on strawberries
STEP 5: Place a small dollop of whipped cream on top of the biscuit, and finish with a few blueberries
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use frozen fruit? Yes, but you will not get that same burst of flavor. Fresh fruit is highly recommended.
How far ahead can I make the whipped cream? You can make it about an hour ahead, and keep it in the freezer to help it maintain its integrity. I make it right before using.
Can I macerate the fruit with alcohol instead of sugar? Absolutely! I use bourbon or spiced rum when I want a deeper flavor. And I’ll use champagne or prosecco for a lighter bite. Regardless, the process is the same.
What if I don’t have buttermilk? You can use regular milk. I recommend whole milk.
MORE DELICIOUS SUMMER RECIPES
- Funfetti Macaroni Salad
- Bacon Cranberry Chicken Salad
- Black Eyed Susan Cocktail
- Orzo with Onions, Garlic and Peppers
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Berry Burst Shortcakes
Berry Burst Shortcakes is a homemade, fresh and easy dessert that's ready in about 40 minutes. Whip up a batch for your summer entertaining, and these shortcakes are perfect for a make-your-own dessert bar
Ingredients
BISCUITS
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced into cubes
- 1 cup buttermilk
WHIPPED CREAM
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
FRUIT
- 2 pints fresh strawberries
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 pint fresh blueberries, for garnish
Instructions
- Put a large metal bowl into the fridge to chill
- STRAWBERRIES
- Core strawberries and cut into 4 pieces. Add strawberries and sugar to a large bowl, and toss
- Let strawberries macerate for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through
- BISCUITS
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper
- Add butter and, using a pastry cutter or long-pronged fork, cut butter into flour mixture. Continue until mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Pour in buttermilk and stir until mixture is fully combined. The dough will be sticky and that is what you want.
- Scoop dough 1/4 cup at a time. Run a butter knife around the inside of the measuring cup to help release the dough
- Drop scooped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.
- Bake 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven, and allow to cool for about 2 minutes. Transfer biscuits to a cooling rack
- WHIPPED CREAM
- Take the metal bowl out of the fridge, and add heavy whipping cream
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on medium-high.
- When cream begins to thicken (about 1 minute), stop mixer and add vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Continue to beat for another 2 minutes, until stiff peaks form.
- ASSEMBLE BERRY BURST SHORTCAKES
- Slice biscuits in half lengthwise, and place bottom halves on on a platter
- Dollop a generous amount of whipped cream on the bottom half of each biscuit
- Top with a scoop of macerated strawberries
- Cover with the top half of the biscuits
- Add a small dollop of whipped cream, and finish with a few fresh blueberries
Notes
You want a cold metal bowl for the whipped cream. I put the bowl into the fridge first, and make the whipped cream last.
Powdered sugar has a little bit of cornstarch, which helps stabilize the whipped cream and hold its integrity longer.
Use cold butter for the biscuits. If not, the biscuits will be dense and not light and flaky.
Use the freshest fruit possible. You can use frozen in a pinch, but you won't get that same burst of flavor
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 341Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 13gProtein: 5g
Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients, etc
Natalie says
Shortcakes are such a perfect summer treat. I absolutely love the flavor combo in this recipe. The berries and everything… looks absolutely delicious. I’m making this asap. My family will love this!
Karyl says
Thanks so much Natalie! They are so delicious and super easy to make
Daniela says
The berries looks so precious in the pic! What a wonderful summer dessert :).
Karyl says
Thanks Daniela! It really is perfect for the summer
Jenni LeBaron says
Shortcakes with fresh berries is my favorite summer dessert! I love that these use both strawberies and blueberries and have plenty of whipped topping!
Amanda says
With the 4th of July coming up, this is the perfect dessert. We host a party every year, and I know these shortcakes will be a hit. Thanks for sharing!
Kylee Ayotte says
any dessert featuring fresh summer fruit is a winner in my book. This will be perfect for 4th July!
Karyl says
Thanks Kylee! It’s such a perfect summer dessert
Sara says
Karyl, these shortcakes look so good! I love that everything is from scratch! What a quiessential dessert to make this summer. I Can’t wait to try them!
Amy says
This is such a refreshing, summer recipe! I love how everything (even the whipped cream) is made from scratch! This is a great recipe for everyone to enjoy!
Karyl says
Thanks so much Amy! It’s so worth it do do it all homemade.
Jordan says
This is summer dessert GOALS. I absolutely love shortcake and the berries are amazing here right now! Definitely making this over 4th of July weekend!
Karyl says
Thank you Jordan! I hope you loved it as much as I do
lauren says
I’m always down for fruit dessert over chocolate so this is right up my alley! Those shortcakes look so light and tender, perfect for sweet cream and macerated fruit! This is a perfect dessert for summertime.
Karyl says
Thanks Lauren! Yep, when it’s crazy hot outside, a light and refreshing dessert is absolutely perfect
Lorie says
Big fan of shortcake recipes from scratch. Once you have one like this perfection, it’s just not the same ever again!
Karyl says
Thanks so much Lorie!
Jennifer T Tammy says
Oh my gosh – we just got some fresh strawberries, this would be perfect!
Karyl says
Yes it would Jennifer! I hope you love this as much as I do
Anne Lawton says
I’m not a fan of sweet foods, and I love that there is not a lot of sugar in this. Strawberries are in season, and this is something I will be making real soon!
Karyl says
Thanks Anne! When the strawberries are so fresh you really don’t need much sugar for a perfect result