Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits: A Classic Dessert with a Buttery Twist

Introduction & Inspiration

Strawberry Shortcake is a timeless dessert, a celebration of simple, fresh flavors. The combination of sweet, juicy strawberries, fluffy biscuits, and creamy whipped topping is a classic for a reason. It’s a dessert that’s both comforting and refreshing, perfect for any occasion.

My inspiration for this recipe comes from a love of classic desserts and a desire to create a Strawberry Shortcake that’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious. I wanted to focus on the biscuits, creating a tender, buttery base for the fresh strawberries and whipped topping.

These Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits are perfect for a summer gathering, a weeknight treat, or any time you crave a taste of homemade goodness. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and they’re surprisingly simple to make.

The perfect dessert, to enjoy summertime.

Nostalgic Appeal

Strawberry Shortcake evokes feelings of nostalgia for many. It’s a dessert that’s often associated with summer picnics, family gatherings, and simple pleasures. The combination of fresh strawberries, biscuits, and whipped cream is a comforting and familiar flavor profile.

This recipe captures that nostalgic appeal while emphasizing the homemade biscuit component. It’s a way to elevate a classic dessert with a slightly more sophisticated, yet still comforting, base.

It is a perfect dessert. To share with family and friends.

Homemade Focus

This recipe is all about embracing the joy of homemade baking. We’re making the biscuits from scratch, using simple ingredients and a straightforward technique. While you could certainly use store-bought biscuits, making your own elevates the entire dessert.

The homemade biscuits are tender, buttery, and slightly sweet, providing the perfect foundation for the fresh strawberries and whipped topping. It’s a testament to the fact that a little extra effort can make a big difference in flavor and texture.

It’s about creating something delicious and satisfying from scratch. It’s about the joy of baking and sharing your creations with others. It is a perfect dessert, that everyone will love.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal for these Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits is a delightful balance of sweet, buttery, and fruity flavors. The biscuits should be tender and slightly sweet, with a hint of buttery richness.

The fresh strawberries provide a burst of sweetness and a touch of acidity, balancing the richness of the biscuits and whipped topping. The orange juice adds a subtle citrusy note that enhances the strawberry flavor.

The whipped topping adds a light and airy element, providing a final touch of sweetness and creaminess. The overall effect is a dessert that’s both refreshing and satisfying, a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

The different textures, are a delight for the palate.

Ingredient Insights

For the Biscuits:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the biscuits.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the biscuits.
• Baking Powder: The leavening agent, creating a light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Cold Butter: Creates a flaky, tender texture in the biscuits. Using cold butter is essential for achieving those desirable layers.
• 2% Milk: Hydrates the flour and helps to bind the dough together. Using 2% milk adds a touch of richness without being overly heavy.

For the Strawberries:

• Fresh Strawberries (Chopped): The star of the show! Use ripe, flavorful strawberries for the best results.
• Orange Juice: Adds a subtle citrusy note that enhances the strawberry flavor.
• Sugar

For Serving:

• Whipped Topping: Adds a light and airy element, providing a final touch of sweetness and creaminess.

Essential Equipment

• Large Bowl: For mixing the biscuit dough.
• Pastry Blender or Fork: For cutting the butter into the dry ingredients.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the biscuits.
• Wire Rack: For cooling the biscuits.
• Medium Bowl: For tossing the strawberries with orange juice and sugar.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cold butter
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 pints strawberries, chopped
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1-1/2 cups whipped topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Biscuit Dough:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Gradually stir in the milk until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

2. Preheat and Prepare:

• Preheat oven to 425°F

3. Bake the Biscuits:

• Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls into 8 mounds on a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Bake until lightly browned, 12-15 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.

4. Prepare the Strawberries:

• Meanwhile, place the chopped strawberries, orange juice, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl.
• Toss gently to combine.

5. Assemble the Shortcakes:

• Split the cooled biscuits in half horizontally.
• Place the bottom halves on serving plates.
• Top with whipped topping and the strawberry mixture.
• Replace the shortcake tops.

Troubleshooting

• Biscuits are Tough: This could be due to overmixing the dough or using too much flour. Handle the dough gently, and measure the flour accurately (spoon and level method).
• Biscuits are Flat: Make sure your baking powder is fresh. Also, make sure to use cold butter and milk.
• Strawberries are Too Watery: If your strawberries are very juicy, you can macerate them with the sugar and orange juice for a bit longer (30 minutes) and then drain off some of the excess liquid before assembling the shortcakes.

Tips and Variations

• Use Cold Ingredients: Using cold butter and milk is essential for creating flaky, tender biscuits.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough biscuits. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Add Lemon Zest: For an extra burst of citrus flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the biscuit dough.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the biscuits.
• Try Different Fruits: Use other berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, or sliced peaches or nectarines, instead of strawberries.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

• Serve Warm or at Room Temperature: These Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits are delicious both warm and at room temperature.
• With Extra Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of whipped cream is a must!
• With a Glass of Milk or Iced Tea: A refreshing pairing for a summer dessert.
• Brunch option:

Nutritional Information

(Note: This is an estimated nutritional breakdown and will vary.) Per Serving (assuming 8 servings):

• Calories: 250-300
• Fat: 10-15g
• Saturated Fat: 6-8g
• Cholesterol: 30-40mg
• Sodium: 200-250mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 30-35g
• Dietary Fiber: 2-3g
• Sugars: 15-20g
• Protein: 4-5g

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Summary: This Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits recipe features homemade, tender biscuits, fresh strawberries tossed with orange juice and sugar, and whipped topping. The process involves making the biscuits, preparing the strawberries, assembling the shortcakes, and serving.

Q&A:

• Q: Can I use store-bought biscuits?
  • A: While homemade biscuits are highly recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use store-bought biscuits in a pinch. Look for buttermilk biscuits for the best flavor.
• Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
  • A: You can make the biscuits ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The strawberries can also be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Assemble the shortcakes just before serving.
• Q: How long can I store leftovers?
  • A: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the biscuits may become soggy over time. It’s best to assemble the shortcakes just before serving.
• Q: Can I use frozen strawberries?
• A: Fresh are better.