Description
An easy, beginner-friendly Southern dessert featuring a fluffy buttery cake base, juicy sweetened strawberries, and light whipped cream. This forgiving recipe requires minimal equipment and delivers a show-stopping treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated white sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 pounds (680g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Wash and hull strawberries. Slice if large, leave whole if small. Place in a large bowl, sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar, toss gently, and set aside to macerate.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula or fork until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread thick batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes until safe to handle.
- While cake cools, whip heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until soft peaks form.
- Tear the warm cake into rustic chunks and place in a serving dish.
- Pour strawberries and their syrup over the cake chunks.
- Dollop whipped cream on top and gently mix or serve in layers.
- Serve immediately while the cake is still warm.
Notes
Tear the cake instead of slicing it to help it absorb the berry syrup. Ensure the cream and bowl are cold for best whipping results. Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake. Sweetened condensed milk is essential for the authentic Southern flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice/chunk portio
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: strawberry shortcake, southern dessert, easy baking, beginner recipe, summer dessert, no mixer dessert, homemade shortcake