Valentine Strawberry Shortcake Cups (Printable)
Individual shortcake cups layered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, ideal for romantic occasions.
# What You Need:
→ For the Shortcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ For the Strawberries
09 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
10 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ For the Whipped Cream
12 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
13 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined.
04 - Scoop 6 equal mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden. Let cool completely.
05 - While the shortcakes bake, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss and set aside for at least 15 minutes to macerate.
06 - In a chilled bowl, whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
07 - To assemble, crumble one shortcake into the bottom of each cup. Top with a layer of strawberries and then a layer of whipped cream. Repeat layers as desired, finishing with whipped cream and a strawberry garnish.
08 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Individual cups make everyone feel special while keeping portions perfectly manageable
- The macerated strawberries create their own sweet syrup that soaks into every buttery layer
02 -
- Cold butter is non negotiable here because warm butter creates dense hockey pucks instead of tender biscuits
- Assembly works best when all components are completely cool or the layers will melt into each other
03 -
- Freeze your butter for 15 minutes before starting to make cutting it in easier and more effective
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for warmth that makes people ask what your secret is