Description
Strawberry Shortcake Bites are delightful mini desserts featuring a tender, buttery shortcake base topped with sweet, juicy strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream. Perfect for parties, showers, or a sweet spring treat, these bite-sized delights are easy to make from scratch and can be garnished with powdered sugar and fresh mint for an elegant touch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shortcake Base:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (cut into cubes)
- 1/3 cup buttermilk (plus more if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling & Topping:
- 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for macerating strawberries)
- 1/2 cup whipped cream or whipped topping
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
- Fresh mint or extra strawberry slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, creating a flaky texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the shortcakes tender.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently press it into a 3/4-inch thick rectangle. Use a small round cutter (1–1.5 inch) to cut out bite-sized shortcakes, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Shortcakes: Bake the shortcakes for 10–12 minutes or until they turn lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Macerate Strawberries: While the shortcakes bake and cool, toss the diced strawberries with a tablespoon of sugar if desired and let them sit for about 10 minutes to release their natural juices, enhancing their sweetness.
- Assemble the Bites: Slice the cooled shortcakes in half horizontally. Spoon the macerated strawberries onto the bottom half, add a generous dollop of whipped cream, then cover with the top half to form mini shortcake sandwiches.
- Garnish and Serve: Dust the assembled shortcake bites with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh mint leaves or extra strawberry slices if desired. Serve immediately for the best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- These shortcake bites are best served fresh to maintain their texture and flavor.
- For a quicker option, use store-bought mini biscuits or pound cake cubes instead of making the shortcakes from scratch.
- Perfect for parties, bridal showers, Valentine’s Day, or any springtime gathering.
- Adjust the sugar in the strawberries according to your sweetness preference or omit for a more natural taste.
