Valentine Strawberry Shortcake Cups (Printable)

Individual shortcake cups layered with strawberries and whipped cream, perfect for special occasions.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Steps:

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 to 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 Advice:

01 -
  • Portion control built right in so nobody feels overly stuffed
  • The assembly looks impressive but takes almost no effort
  • Everything can be prepped ahead except the final layering
02 -
  • Cold butter is non-negotiable here, room temperature butter creates dense, flat biscuits
  • Let the strawberries sit longer if you can, they get exponentially better with time
  • Whipped cream holds its shape better if you chill your bowl and whisk first
03 -
  • A drop of almond extract in the whipped cream makes everything taste bakery-quality
  • Brush the baked shortcakes with a little simple syrup for extra moisture

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