Strawberry Shortcake w/Cream on Top
Every year, my son Brandon requires a strawberry shortcake made for his birthday. It has become one of those birthday traditions I do not questions — I simply accept my assignment and start washing strawberries.
Last year, I made a French-style strawberry shortcake, and while it was beautiful, Brandon made it very clear that it “just wasn’t giving strawberry shortcake.”
Noted.
So this year, for his 22nd birthday, we went classic.
Homemade whipped cream, macerated strawberries, homemade strawberry jam, a buttery shortcake, and absolutely no confusion about what dessert was supposed to be.
This year’s cake officially takes the frosting.
*I swapped out the vanilla extract for almond and it was the best decision I ever made. Try it, I promise you it hits!
Things You’ll Need
Shop the Kitchen
Before you start piling on the whipped cream and strawberries, here's everything you'll need to recreate this birthday-worthy dessert. These are all kitchen staples I reach for again and again, making them perfect additions to your LTK, Amazon Storefront, or affiliate links.
🍓 Baking Essentials
8 or 9-inch round cake pans (2)
Measuring cups & measuring spoons
Silicone spatula
Cooling rack
🍓 For the Homemade Whipped Cream
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Metal mixing bowl (chilled)
🍓 For the Strawberry Jam
Heavy-bottom saucepan or Dutch oven
Wooden spoon
Citrus juicer
Microplane zester
🍓 For the Strawberries
Pairing Knives
Cutting board
Large mixing bowl
🍓 For Serving
Rustic wooden cake stand
White dessert plates
Dessert forks
Cake server
Linen kitchen towels
Small jam bowls
Fresh flowers for the table (optional, but highly encouraged)
Pantry Staples
You'll also want to have these ingredients on hand:
Fresh strawberries
Granulated sugar
Powdered sugar
Cake flour (or all-purpose flour if making shortcakes)
Baking powder
Fine sea salt
Unsalted butter
Eggs
Heavy whipping cream
Pure vanilla extract
Fresh lemons
Assemble
Split the warm cake
Spread one side with homemade strawberry jam
Top with whipped cream
Place second layer on top
Pile on whipped cream
Add macerated strawberries
Spoon the strawberry juices over the cake for extra pizazz
Voilá!
Cabernet & Chaos Tips
Make the jame the day before.
Chill your whipped cream bowl and beaters (if that’s your thing).
Bake the cake the morning of serving.
Use the leftover jam on sourdough, biscuits, pancakes, cheesecake, or swirl it into vanilla ice cream.
A Little Note from Me
Summer desserts don’t need to be complicated to feel special. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that leave flour on the counter, strawberry juice on your shirt, and everyone lingering around the table for just one more bite.
The shortcake is buttery, messy, unapologetically piled high, and exactly the kind of dessert that reminds me why the kitchen has always felt like home.
From my chaotic kitchen to yours… enjoy every sweet bite. 🍓🍰
Hi, I'm E. Lynn Jimenez, the creator behind Cabernet & Chaos | by The Hollow Quill, where family recipes, comfort food, and a little kitchen chaos come together. I believe the best meals aren't about perfection—they're about the stories they tell. Whether I'm recreating childhood favorites, celebrating family traditions, or trying a new recipe for Sunday dinner, every dish is made with love and meant to be shared. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something good, and let's make memories—one recipe at a time. 🍓🍷
Follow for more on social media!
Catch up on the latest recipes on Cabernet & Chaos | by The Hollow Quill
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width, in | 18.50 | 20.25 | 22.00 | 24.00 | 26.00 | 27.75 |
| Length, in | 26.62 | 28.00 | 29.37 | 30.75 | 31.62 | 32.50 |
| Sleeve length from center back, in | 31.87 | 33.75 | 35.62 | 37.25 | 38.75 | 39.75 |
| Size tolerance, in | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
The Comfort Colors 6014 is made with 100% ring-spun cotton and garment-dyed for that lived-in look. This Comfort Colors long-sleeve shirt pairs soft texture with a relaxed fit, making it a no-brainer for casual collections. It’s one of those pieces your customers keep coming back for.
.: 100% ring-spun cotton
.: Medium fabric (6.1 oz/yd² (206.8 g/m²))
.: Classic Fit
.: Sewn-in twill label
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Comfort Colors® 6014, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC
Warnings, Hazard: For adults, Made in Honduras
Care instructions: Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), Do not bleach, Tumble dry: low heat, Iron, steam or dry: low heat, Do not dryclean
Every year, my eldest twin, Brandon, asks for the same birthday dessert: strawberry shortcake. After last year’s French-style version “just wasn’t giving strawberry shortcake,” I went back to the classics. This homemade recipe features fluffy vanilla cake, fresh whipped cream frosting, sweet macerated strawberries, and homemade strawberry jam for the ultimate summer dessert. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or simply making the most of strawberry season, this family-favorite recipe is guaranteed to become a tradition in your home, too. 🍓🎂