I love to cook and bake, but some days you just need to take a shortcut. Today is definitely a strawberry shortcake shortcut day. (Shortcake shortcut…is that alliteration?)
Yesterday, because I have been craving strawberry shortcake, we picked up a couple of boxes of fresh strawberries. I HAD every intention of making biscuits today for the strawberry shortcake…but, it’s way too hot and humid today to even think about turning on the oven!
We still wanted the shortcake though, so I decided to switch to Plan B.
I picked up an angel food cake, macerated the strawberries, whipped some cream and let me tell you, this shortcake shortcut is amazing and won’t leave you feeling at all that you have missed out on the biscuits. In fact, in many ways, (lighter, easier, quicker) I actually prefer the shortcake shortcut.
It’s so simple to make! All you do is macerate the strawberries, whip some cream, slice the cake and assemble. (I implore you to use a carton of cream and whip it. The cans or tubs of “cream” are artificial and DO NOT give the same result!)
To macerate the strawberries all you need to do is:
- Wash, hull, and slice 1 quart of strawberries.
- Put them in a large glass bowl.
- Stir in 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
- Allow to stand for 30 minutes for strawberries to release their natural juices, but not much longer or the strawberries will get mushy.
I also use a serrated knife to cut the angel food cake, I find it works really well.
When strawberries are in season this is the perfect dessert to serve when entertaining. I have even whipped the cream a couple of hours ahead of time and stored it in the fridge in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
When it’s almost time for dessert, just assemble the berries to macerate, get out your dessert spoons and plates, put on some coffee or tea, slice the cake and by then you will be just about ready to assemble this no muss, no fuss, strawberry shortcake shortcut!
- 1 quart fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced
- 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar (for berries)
- 1 cup (250 ml) cold whipping cream (35%
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for cream)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
- 1 angel food cake
- In a bowl, add first 3 tablespoons of sugar to berries. Toss or gently stir to coat berries. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- When the 30 minutes are up, whip cream with the second 3 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Assembly:
- - Slice of angel food cake.
- - A big spoonful of berries and juice.
- - A couple spoonfuls of whipped cream
- - Top with more berries and juice.
- - Serve immediately.
As always, if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask and I will do my very best to answer.
What your favourite strawberry dessert to eat or make?
We had Strawberry shortcake twice this week, but I think I prefer the biscuit type. The bottom of the biscuits are all salty, crisp and buttery and that’s my fav part.
I like it the traditional way too, Nicol, but this is really great if you’re looking to save a bit of time.
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