Quick Strawberry Shortcake Cups Recipe
This Quick Strawberry Shortcake Cups recipe offers a delightful and speedy twist on the classic dessert, combining fresh macerated strawberries, fluffy whipped cream, and tender angel food or pound cake layered in individual cups. Perfect for a refreshing and elegant treat, these cups come together in just 15 minutes and make a fantastic dessert for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberries
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, very cold
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cake
- 1 (10-12 ounce) store-bought angel food cake or pound cake
Instructions
- Macerate the Strawberries: In a medium bowl, combine sliced strawberries with granulated sugar. Let them sit for 10 minutes to allow the strawberries to release their natural juices, creating a sweet and flavorful syrup.
- Prepare the Cake: If using store-bought angel food or pound cake, crumble or cut it into bite-sized pieces suitable for layering in serving cups.
- Layer Cake: Place a layer of the crumbled cake pieces at the bottom of each serving cup or glass, establishing the dessert’s base.
- Add Strawberries: Spoon a generous layer of the macerated strawberries along with their juices over the cake pieces for a moist, fruity element.
- Whip the Cream: Using a chilled bowl and beaters, whip the cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This whipped cream will add rich, creamy texture to the dessert.
- Layer Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of the whipped cream over the strawberries in the cups, spreading evenly.
- Repeat Layers: Continue layering cake, strawberries, and whipped cream in each cup until filled, finishing with a swirl of whipped cream on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish each dessert cup with a fresh strawberry slice and optionally a mint leaf for visual appeal. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving to keep fresh and chilled.
Notes
- For best results, use very cold whipping cream to achieve the right consistency when whipping.
- You can substitute fresh strawberries with frozen ones that are thawed but fresh fruit provides the best texture and flavor.
- If you want a less sweet dessert, adjust the amount of sugar added to the strawberries and whipped cream to taste.
- These dessert cups are best eaten within an hour of assembling to enjoy the combination of textures at their freshest.
- Variations could include adding a splash of lemon juice to the strawberries for a citrusy brightness or layering with other berries.
Keywords: strawberry shortcake dessert, quick strawberry shortcake, no-bake strawberry dessert, easy summer dessert, whipped cream dessert cups
