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Best Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake (20 min)

Every year my husband anxiously awaits my easy biscuit strawberry shortcakes that his mother made in the ’50s. I make them in 20 minutes with local strawberries at their peak, fresh whipped cream and biscuits (with a shortcut – shh).

It’s the ultimate summer dessert, perfect for a Canada Day or July 4th celebration. For July 4th, I add blue with blueberries 🙂 And for Valentine’s Day!

single strawberry shortcake on plate

Strawberry shortcake is my husband’s #1 all time favorite dessert. It’s true, he will eat almost any strawberry shortcake, but this recipe, which has been in his family since the 1950’s, evokes warm memories of his childhood.  

Not long after we were married, he described his mother’s recipe to me in detail and begged me to make it. Needless to say, I have been making these strawberry shortcakes for over 30 years for my very appreciative husband and many others.

This old fashioned strawberry shortcake recipe is simple and quick – a perfect dessert for summer months (or not). I’ve only tweaked two things over the years.  

  1. First, I cut in cold butter with the Bisquick to make the biscuits lighter (in texture, not calories). You can, of course, skip this step if you want and just follow the recipe on the box.
  2. Second, I now refuse to slather butter on the biscuits when they come out of the oven as my husband’s mother did before adding the strawberries and whipped cream.  Seriously, I think whipped cream adds enough richness!

Bottom line: if you haven’t used up your summer fresh strawberries for strawberry jam, give these easy strawberry shortcakes a go. According to my husband, it’s the best strawberry shortcake recipe in the world 🙂 It’s a super quick dessert with simple ingredients found at your local grocery story. You will not be disappointed.

FAQ – about biscuits and shortcake tips

What are the ingredients in Bisquick?

Enriched flour, vegetable oil, leavening (e.g. baking powder), salt and sugar.

What can I replace the bisquick with if I can’t get it?

Two options. Either make the biscuits from scratch with this strawberry shortcake biscuit recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Or use a substitute for Bisquick with the easy recipe from AllRecipes.

How do I prevent the strawberry shortcakes from getting soggy?

The best way is to assemble the shortcakes just before serving and not let them sit around too long. Another option is to use less of the juices created by combining the strawberries with sugar (use a slotted spoon to scoop them out). Sugar helps strawberries release their juices.

Can I use scones instead of biscuits for my strawberry shortcakes?

You can. Biscuits are more traditional, but both will work. Although they are both made with similar ingredients, biscuits are flakier, more tender, crumbly and less dry.

Tailor To Your Taste

Strawberry options

  • Vary the sweetness to your taste by adjusting the sugar and lemon.
  • Instead of strawberries, use other fresh fruit in season, like blueberries, blackberries or raspberries. Or a mix of berries.
  • If you can’t get fresh berries, use frozen berries found in the frozen section of your grocery store. Heat with a bit of sugar and lemon to make a sauce.

Flavor options

  • Try adding a bit of lemon or orange zest or cardamon to the biscuits
  • Or add a bit or zest to the whipped cream

Serving suggestions

  • Instead of assembling the shortcakes for your family or guests, set out the strawberries, whipped cream and biscuits (sliced in half) and let them help themselves.
  • To reduce calories:
    • Serve half a biscuit only. Keep in mind, though, this is not a low calorie dessert! For example, whipped cream calories alone are 50 calories for one tablespoon.
    • My mother would suggest replacing the whipped cream with low fat vanilla yogurt. Hmm. I say go for the good stuff.

Shortcuts

  • We’re already using Bisquick as a shortcut, but instead of making biscuits, you can buy scones, biscuits, vanilla cake, sponge cake or mini angel food cake. Split them in half, then pile on the berries and whipped cream. Dessert in ready about 8 minutes!
  • You can also substitute fresh whipped cream with cool whip or the canned whipped cream, but in my opinion, there is no contest. Fresh whipped cream is sensational and only takes a couple of minutes to make.

Make ahead

  • Store biscuits, once cooled, in an airtight container or ziploc bag for up to 2 days. Warm the biscuits in the oven at 350F/176C for a few minutes if desired (or in the microwave for 30 seconds), assemble the shortcakes and serve.
  • The whipped cream can be made up to 2 hours ahead and kept in the fridge. 

Other easy dessert ideas you might enjoy

These desserts can all be made in 8-30 minutes.

How to make strawberry shortcake

baked biscuits on pan
Make the biscuits using the Bisquick box recipe or our instructions which adds cold butter for extra tenderness. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
bowl of strawberries, lemon, sugar
While the biscuits are baking, cut the fresh strawberries in halves or quarters. Add sugar and a splash of lemon juice.
bowl of squished strawberries and sugar
Squish the fresh berries with your hands to help release the juices.
bowl of whipped cream
Make the fresh whipped cream using heavy cream (35%) and an electric mixer or immersion blender. Add vanilla extract for great flavor (and orange or lemon zest if you like)
assembled biscuit strawberry shortcake on platep6
Assemble (or let your guests do their own individual portion). Slice the biscuits in half horizontally. Pile the strawberry filling on the bottom half, then spoon on whipped cream. Place the top half of biscuit on top, then more whipped cream and strawberries. Serve!

single strawberry shortcake on plate
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4.92 from 25 votes

Best Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake (20 min)

Every year my husband anxiously awaits this easy strawberry shortcake that his mother made in the '50s. I make them in 20 minutes with local strawberries at their peak, fresh whipped cream and biscuits (with a shortcut – shh).
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • immersion blender, food processor or electric hand mixer (for fresh whipped cream)

Ingredients

Biscuits

  • 2 cups Bisquick, Note 1
  • 3 tablespoon cold butter, cut in small cubes
  • 1/2 cup (118ml) milk

Strawberry filling

  • 4 cups whole strawberries, washed and stems removed (about 1 lb/450g)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) sugar (or more, to taste of if berries aren't too sweet)
  • squeeze of lemon (1-2 tsp)

Whipped cream

  • 1 cup (250 ml) heavy whipping cream 35%
  • 3 tablespoon sugar (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425F/218C.
  • MAKE THE SHORTCAKE BISCUITS: If you prefer a shortcut, just follow the recipe on the Bisquick box. Otherwise, in a medium or large bowl, add the Bisquick and butter. Mix the butter and bisquick with your fingers until well blended. Add enough milk until a soft dough forms. Handling the dough very lightly (don't over mix), divide into 8 portions and drop onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I gently pat them into discs about 1/2 inch/1.27cm thick. Bake in preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes until lightly golden on top. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Note 2for homemade biscuits.
  • PREPARE STRAWBERRIES: While the biscuits are baking, cut the strawberries in halves or quarters. Place sliced strawberries in a bowl, add sugar and lemon and squish with your fingers a bit to release the juices. Taste and add more sugar or lemon to desired sweetness.
  • MAKE WHIPPED CREAM: Using an immersion blender, food processor, stand mixer or a electric hand mixer, pour the COLD heavy cream into a bowl, Add sugar and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Peaks should be fairly stiff and just very slightly droopy. Don't over beat (it will turn into butter!). Makes 2 cups.
  • ASSEMBLE SHORTCAKES: Cut the sweet biscuits in half horizontally (like a hamburger bun) and place bottom half on individual plates or bowls. Spoon some juicy strawberries and a bit of whipped cream on top of biscuit half. Place other half of biscuit on top. Add more whipped cream, then more strawberries. Serve immediately. Alternatively, set everything out and let people make their own.

Recipe Notes

  1. Bisquick is a prepackaged biscuit or pancake mix you buy in the store. It includes flour, leavening (like baking powder), fat, salt and sugar. 
  2. To make your own biscuits: Here’s a recipe to your own homemade biscuits from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
  3. Shortcuts
    • Buy scones, biscuits, sponge cake or mini angel food cake. Split them in half, then pile on the berries and whipped cream. Dessert in ready about 8 minutes!
    • You can also substitute fresh whipped cream with cool whip or the canned whipped cream, but in my opinion, there is no contest. Fresh whipped cream is sensational and only takes a couple of minutes to make.
  4. To make ahead:  Store biscuits, once cooled, in an airtight container or ziploc bag for up to 2 days. Warm the biscuits in the oven at 350F/176C for a few minutes if desired (or in the microwave for 30 seconds), assemble the shortcakes and serve. The whipped cream can be made up to 2 hours ahead and kept in the fridge. 
 
Nutrition values are estimates for VERY generous portions. Calories and fat can be reduced a lot by using half of a biscuit and less whipped cream. 

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 439mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 603IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 1mg
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This easy strawberry shortcake recipe has been updated with new information, recipe tweaks and picture edits.

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