What is Strawberry Shortcake, and How to Make It?

Published on April 14th, 2025

The Summer’s Best Dessert is Simple and Delicious

There’s not much better in the summer than a sweet and slightly tart fruit like strawberries. The taste is both decadent and refreshing, and is a must for picnics and parties alike. Make the most of your strawberries by putting them into the all-American dessert, strawberry shortcake. Here’s what to know about the treat, where it originates, and how to make your own. Prepare for deliciousness!

What is strawberry shortcake made of?

Strawberry shortcake is a simple dessert, and it’s absolutely as simple as it looks. You only need three ingredients if you want to go the easy route: cake, strawberries, and whipped cream. You can add some extras, but that’s generally what to expect. Sometimes simple is a lot more delicious, and that’s definitely the case with strawberry shortcake!

History of strawberry shortcake

This delicious summer dessert didn’t appear in the United States until 1847, when it showed up in a recipe book called “Miss Leslie’s Ladies New Receipt Book,” though the recipe was more like a strawberry cake than a strawberry shortcake. In Miss Leslie’s recipe, a pie-crust-like crispy cake was cut in half, topped with mashed strawberries sweetened with powdered sugar, sandwiched down with the other half of the cake, and covered in icing.

The dessert evolved as it aged, with whipped cream taking the place of icing, and—at least in the north—sponge cake taking the place of the crispy cakes. In the southern states, the cakes are more likely to be closer to the original crispier ones. This is also the difference between traditional versus modern strawberry shortcake. The sponge cake version is considered more modern, and the crispier cakes are more traditional.

 What is the difference between a shortcake and a cake?

Think of shortcake as the more biscuit– or scone-like cousin of cake. The batter is thicker and more firm than cake batter. But shortcake isn’t really crumbly or flaky like biscuits or scones—and that’s thanks to eggs and sugar in the batter, which gives shortcake a tighter crumb structure and a sweeter taste.

Read More: Difference Between a Biscuit and Scone

What’s the difference between strawberry cake and strawberry shortcake?

It depends on who you ask! If we’re asking Miss Leslie, they’re the same thing. But that was back in the 1800s. Today, the difference is starker. Strawberry cake almost certainly has the moist cake structure we love, with fresh strawberries probably between the layers, on top, and mixed into the batter or icing. The cake itself is also likely to be pink. Strawberry shortcake today is also layered, but is either the biscuity cake style or sponge cake with whipped cream and macerated strawberries. The cake is white or yellow—it’s not flavored by the strawberries; the strawberries are an accompaniment.

How to make a strawberry shortcake

As mentioned, strawberry shortcake will vary based on where you are in the United States. So let’s learn how to make both types!

In the north: For a northern style, head to the grocery store and pick up some sponge cake (or make your own if you’re really feeling motivated). You’ll also want fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Cut the sponge cake into layers. Build the shortcake with cake on the bottom, then fresh strawberry chunks or slices, then whipped cream. It’s completely up to you how tall you make the cake!

In the south: For southern strawberry shortcake (which some people consider the classic strawberry shortcake), follow the steps above, but use actual shortcake instead of sponge cake. You can make your own, but be sure to find a recipe from an older cookbook so the structure of the shortcake is correct. Try getting creative with the cake layers—lady fingers might be a good alternative to shortcake, and so might buttermilk biscuits.

For an extra special strawberry shortcake, macerate the strawberries first. All you need to do is toss the strawberry slices and some sugar in a bowl until the strawberries are covered in sugar. Then let it sit for about 30 minutes. Done! Macerating the strawberries makes them a little sweeter and softer.

Craving a good strawberry cake? Goldbelly has you covered. Shop our selection of strawberry cakes or cheesecake—and have it delivered straight to your door.

Read More: What is Red Velvet Cake and Why is it Red?