Strawberry Shortcake is a classic dessert that is perfect for spring and summer. This three layer strawberry dessert is not only beautiful, it’s also delicious!
Shortcake is a centuries old English recipe that dates back to the 1500s. This recipe for Strawberry Shortcake is absolute perfection and is easily converted from a 3 layer cake, to individual portions. Whether you want a beautiful 3 layer cake, or individual servings, this recipe has you covered. Continue reading to learn more about strawberry shortcake, or scroll straight to the recipe below.
First, there’s that name. It’s not called shortcake because it isn’t tall. “Short” is an English word, dating to at least the 16th Century, that means crisp. Or, more specifically, something made crisp with the addition of fat, traditionally either butter or lard.
We are so excited about our new twist on this classic dessert and we can’t wait to share it with you. Come on in to the Café and nab one! June 14th, National Strawberry Shortcake Day, is right around the corner. Make it day to celebrate with some local sweetness!
The earliest known shortcake recipe dates back to 1588 from an old English cookbook. In the early 1600’s the treat was made popular when William Shakespeare used the name Alice Shortcake in “The Merry Wives Of Windsor.”
Locally, you can find several well established strawberry farms that sell strawberries by the quart — you can even pick your own, for the sweetest, juiciest way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.
By 1850, strawberry shortcake was a well-known biscuit and fruit dessert served hot with butter and sweetened cream. In the United States, strawberry shortcake parties were held as celebrations of the summer fruit harvest. This tradition is upheld in some parts of the United States on June 14, which is Strawberry Shortcake Day.
Well, summer is coming! It’s officially strawberry season and we’re trying out a new strawberry shortcake recipe. We think you’ll love it! Just like every Zig’s creation, it’s made by hand from fresh wholesome ingredients, many of them locally sourced.
How do you prepare strawberries for strawberry shortcake?
Strawberries need to be rinsed and patted dry before using in a recipe to remove any dirt, debris, or chemicals. For strawberry shortcake, the strawberries will need to be hulled and either sliced or quartered. Sugar is then added to macerate the strawberries.
The Weird History of Strawberry Shortcake
FAQ
Why do they call it a shortcake?
What is the difference between a cake and a shortcake?
What is the history of shortcake?
What is the difference between shortcake and shortbread?
Why is Shortcake called shortcake?
The name “shortcake” is derived from an old English cooking definition of short which referred to something made crisp with the addition of fat. Shortcake is a crisp, crumbly cake made from butter which is how it got its name. Is shortcake a biscuit? In many parts of the world, the term biscuit refers to a cookie.
What is a shortcake based cake?
Short cakes were a contrast to egg-based cakes like sponge cakes that didn’t use very much butter in their basic recipes. The biscuits used for most shortcakes today generally use a lot of butter, rubbed into a flour mixture to produce a tender biscuit with a slightly flaky texture.
Are shortcakes really short?
Shortcakes are not necessarily physically short; the name refers to an Old English term meaning something crisp with the addition of lard — i.e., shortening. Whether or not the cakes made during the 16th century had anything to do with fruit is debatable, as some claim that the shortcakes we know and love were an American invention.
How do you make Shortcake?
Shortcake is typically made with flour, sugar, baking powder or soda, salt, butter, milk or cream, and sometimes eggs. The dry ingredients are blended, and then the butter is cut in until the mixture resembles cornmeal. The liquid ingredients are then mixed in just until moistened, resulting in a shortened dough.