Description
Let me tell you about my absolute go-to summer dessert. It’s basically all the deliciousness of strawberry shortcake but layered in a big glass bowl so you can see all those gorgeous layers. Plus, it’s WAY easier than making individual shortcakes! I started making this for our family reunions years ago, and now I’m not allowed to show up without it. It’s the perfect mix of tender cake, juicy strawberries, and clouds of whipped cream that looks impressive but is actually ridiculously simple to throw together.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shortcake Layers:
- 1 pound cake (homemade or store-bought – I won’t tell)
- OR 1 box yellow/vanilla cake mix plus ingredients called for on the box
- OR about 24 ladyfinger cookies if you’re feeling European about it
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (if using pound cake or regular cake)
For the Strawberry Goodness:
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries (about 2 quarts)
- 1/3 cup sugar (adjust depending on how sweet your berries are)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (trust me on this one)
- Optional but amazing: 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur (skip if kids are eating)
For the Dream Cloud Whipped Cream:
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream (cold, cold, COLD!)
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the real stuff, please)
- Optional stabilizer: 8 oz cream cheese, softened (makes it hold up longer)
Optional Fancy Extras:
- Extra strawberries for decorating the top
- Fresh mint leaves
- White chocolate curls
- Shortbread cookie crumbles
- Toasted sliced almonds