Let’s dive into a recipe that brings the essence of this copycat Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Shortcake recipe into your kitchen using simple, accessible ingredients. I love Strawberry shortcake. It’s a dessert that combines the richness of buttery cake with the fresh zest of strawberries, all topped off with a dollop of cream.
While I may be the gal who usually makes Strawberry Shortcake with Bisquick, we all know that the Cheesecake Factory, offers a much more rich and comforting version of this classic treat. Yes, and amen.f
Making the Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Shortcake
Overview of Ingredients :
- Flour: Serves as the base of the shortcake, providing structure.
- Sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness to both the shortcake and the cream.
- Baking Powder: Helps the shortcake rise and become fluffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Cold Butter: Gives the shortcake a tender, crumbly texture.
- Cold Milk: Moistens the dough, aiding in developing a soft texture.
- Crème Chantilly: A fancy term for sweetened whipped cream, offering a light and airy topping.
- Fresh Strawberries: Brings a natural sweetness and slight acidity, cutting through the richness of the dessert.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Adds a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs perfectly with the warm shortcake.
Step-by-Step Strawberry Shortcake Recipe:
Preparing the Shortcake:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving a golden-brown crust on your shortcakes.
1. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and one teaspoon of salt in a large mixing bowl. These dry ingredients are the foundation of your shortcake.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Blend the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It’s important that the butter remains cold; this ensures that your shortcakes will be flaky and tender.
3. Gradually add cold milk using a spatula to form a dough.
4. Do not overwork it; mix until it comes together. This will keep your shortcakes light and airy.
5. Roll the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a rectangle about an inch thick (this first step is not shown in the photos above). Fold the dough in half and cut (lengthwise). See photo #5.
6. Place the two pieces of dough on top of each other.
7. Make a rectangle again and repeat this process (steps 5 and 6) three times more. This technique, called lamination, creates layers in your shortcake, making it flaky.
8. Cut the dough into rounds using a biscuit cutter or a sharp-edged glass. Place the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let them cool slightly on a wire rack.
Making Crème Chantilly:
While the shortcakes are baking, prepare the Crème Chantilly. Whip cream with sugar in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. This lightly whipped cream will be perfect for topping your shortcake.
Assembling the Strawberry Shortcake:
To assemble your strawberry shortcake, slice each biscuit in half. Place the bottom half on a plate.
Add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream to the bottom half of the shortcake. Place the strawberries on the plate to the side of the biscuit.
Place the top half of the shortcake on top of the vanilla ice cream. Dollop a good amount of Crème Chantilly on top of the biscuit. Garnish with strawberries.
Optionally, you can add more Crème Chantilly and strawberries on top of the vanilla ice cream before placing the top half of the shortcake on top for an extra indulgent dessert.
Serving Suggestions:
This strawberry shortcake is best served immediately while the shortcake is still warm. Pair it with a light sparkling wine or freshly brewed coffee or tea for a delightful experience.
Other Strawberry Desserts to enjoy:
Simple Strawberry Pie
Strawberry Aqua Fresca
Mini Strawberry Galettes
Strawberry Lemonade Poke Cake
Strawberry Cookies
Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Shortcake
Equipment
- Parchment Paper (or Baking Mat)
Ingredients
For the Biscuits
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed (8 tbsp)
- 2/3 cup cold milk
For the Crème Chantilly (optional)
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2 tbsp sugar
For the Filling
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1-1/2 cup Strawberries, sliced
Instructions
For the Biscuits
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Add 1/2 cup of cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Blend the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter must remain cold to ensure your shortcakes will be flaky and tender.
- Gradually mix in 2/3 cup of cold milk to form a dough. Do not overwork it; mix until it comes together.
- Roll the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a rectangle about an inch thick (this first step is not shown in the photos above). Fold the dough in half and cut (lengthwise).Place the two pieces of dough on top of each other. Make another rectangle and repeat this process three times more.
- Cut the dough into rounds using a biscuit cutter or a glass with a sharp edge. Place the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool slightly on a wire rack.
For the Crème Chantilly (optional)
- While the shortcakes are baking, prepare the Crème Chantilly. In a chilled bowl, whip 1 cup of cream with two tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. This lightly whipped cream will be perfect for topping your shortcake.
Assembling the Strawberry Shortcakes
- To assemble your strawberry shortcake, slice each half horizontally. Place the bottom half on a plate.
- Top the bottom half of the shortcake with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, then place the strawberries on the plate to the side of the biscuit.
- Place the top half of the shortcake on top of the vanilla ice cream. Dollop a good amount of Crème Chantilly on top of the biscuit. Garnish with strawberries.
- Optionally, you can add more Crème Chantilly and strawberries on top of the vanilla ice cream before placing the top half of the shortcake on top for an extra indulgent dessert.
Creating a dessert that matches the richness and delight of Cheesecake Factory’s offerings might seem daunting. Still, with this recipe, you can bring a slice of gourmet indulgence into your home. Perfection isn’t necessary.
This copycat strawberry shortcake captures the essence of spring and summer in every bite and offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that will satisfy your dessert cravings. So, gather your ingredients and make your kitchen smell like the Cheesecake Factory tonight! (wink-wink)
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