Sweet Berry Bliss: Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups Recipe

Dessert lovers swoon over this delightful strawberry shortcake pudding cups recipe that blends creamy textures with classic summer flavors.

Sweet layers of crumbled shortcake create a dreamy foundation for luscious pudding and fresh berries.

Each spoonful promises a burst of strawberry goodness that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Soft vanilla pudding nestles between buttery cake crumbles, delivering a delectable treat that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

Light and refreshing, these individual dessert cups transform simple ingredients into an elegant, crowd-pleasing delight.

The combination of silky pudding, tender cake, and ripe strawberries guarantees a mouthwatering experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this irresistible dessert and savor every delightful bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients In Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for the dessert, choose a high-quality brand for the best flavor.
• Cold Milk: Activates the pudding mix, ensuring a silky and consistent texture.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds luxurious cloudlike lightness, select cream with high fat content for maximum volume.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream, opt for fine-ground sugar for smooth integration.

• Fresh Strawberries: Brings vibrant color and natural sweetness, select ripe, deep red berries with no soft spots.
• Granulated Sugar: Draws out strawberry juices and enhances natural flavor, use sparingly to maintain fruit's integrity.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens fruit flavors and prevents browning, fresh-squeezed provides the most zesty punch.

• Shortcake: Creates delightful crunch and classic dessert profile, choose pre-made or homemade for desired texture.
• Melted Butter: Optional enhancer that adds richness and helps bind crumbs, use unsalted for better control of sweetness.

Kitchen Tools For Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups

• Electric Mixer: Perfect for whipping cream to fluffy perfection quickly and easily.
• Medium Mixing Bowls: Essential for preparing pudding, whipped cream, and mixing strawberries.
• Whisk: Great for smoothly blending pudding mix and milk without lumps.
• Clear Serving Cups or Jars: Showcase beautiful layers and make dessert presentation stunning.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for dicing fresh strawberries precisely.
• Cutting Board: Provides stable surface for slicing strawberries safely.
• Spatula: Helps gently fold whipped cream into pudding and create smooth layers.

Steps To Prep Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups

• Pudding Base

Whip up a silky vanilla pudding that’ll make taste buds dance. Mix pudding powder with cold milk until smooth and creamy. Let it chill in the refrigerator to set perfectly.

• Whipped Cloud

Create a fluffy cloud of whipped cream by beating heavy cream with a touch of sweetness. Fold this dreamy mixture into your pudding for an extra luxurious texture.

• Strawberry Magic

Transform fresh strawberries into a tangy-sweet sensation. Chop them into bite-sized pieces and let them marinate in a sprinkle of sugar to release their natural juices.

• Layer Party

In clear glasses, start building your dessert masterpiece. Crumble shortcake as the first layer, creating a buttery foundation. Gently pour the vanilla pudding, then shower with macerated strawberries. Repeat these layers until your glass is brimming with deliciousness.

• Final Flourish

Crown each pudding cup with a dollop of whipped cream. Artfully place fresh strawberry slices on top and dust with crumbled shortcake for a picture-perfect finish that screams pure indulgence.

Tips For Making Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups

• Berry Shortcake Perfection Tricks
• Strawberry Maceration Magic: Let strawberries sit with sugar for 15 minutes instead of 10 to intensify their natural sweetness and release more juices, creating a more vibrant flavor profile.
• Texture Triumph: Crumble shortcake cookies into different sizes for varied texture – some fine crumbs, some larger chunks – to add interesting mouthfeel and visual appeal.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare pudding layers and strawberry mixture up to 24 hours in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to save time during serving.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional shortcake with gluten-free vanilla cookies or almond flour-based crumble to make the dessert accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free vanilla pudding mix to create a delicious plant-based version of this classic dessert.

Serving Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups With Ease

• Berry Bliss Brunch: Serve these pudding cups as a delightful dessert after a weekend breakfast or brunch gathering with friends and family.
• Summer Picnic Perfection: Pack these individual cups in mason jars for an easy-to-transport sweet treat during outdoor picnics or beach days.
• Dessert Bar Delight: Create a DIY dessert station at parties where guests can customize their pudding cups with extra toppings like chocolate shavings, mint leaves, or additional shortcake crumbles.
• Elegant Dinner Finale: Present these pudding cups as a sophisticated yet simple dessert course for intimate dinner parties, garnished with a delicate mint sprig for an extra touch of elegance.

Storing Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups Properly

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store assembled pudding cups tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep whipped cream and fresh strawberry garnishes separate until just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy layers.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pudding mixture, macerated strawberries, and crumbled shortcake separately in sealed containers up to 24 hours in advance. This allows quick assembly and helps retain fresh flavors and crisp textures.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Freeze prepared pudding base without fresh strawberry toppings in airtight containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add fresh fruit and garnishes just before serving to keep ingredients vibrant and appetizing.
• Portion Control Pro: Use small mason jars or clear glasses for individual servings. These containers make tracking portions easier, enable simple transportation, and create an attractive presentation that keeps ingredients neatly layered without mixing prematurely.

Luscious Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Cups

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Delightful strawberry shortcake pudding cups blend classic dessert flavors into a creamy, layered treat. Layers of buttery cake, sweet strawberries, and silky pudding create a perfect summer indulgence for friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (300 grams) strawberries, fresh and diced
• 1 ½ cups (150 grams) shortcake or pound cake, crumbled
• 1 package (5 oz/140 grams) vanilla pudding mix, instant
• 2 cups (480 ml) milk, cold
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsps melted butter
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Whipped cream (for garnish)
• Strawberry slices, fresh (for garnish)
• Shortcake or graham crackers, crumbled (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pudding Base: Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until smooth, then refrigerate to set and chill thoroughly.
2. Create Whipped Cream: Beat heavy cream and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until soft, billowy peaks form, then gently fold into the chilled pudding to maintain a light texture.
3. Macerate Strawberries: Dice fresh strawberries and combine with granulated sugar and lemon juice, allowing the fruit to release its natural sweetness and create a vibrant syrup.
4. Construct Shortcake Layer: Crumble shortcake and optionally drizzle with melted butter, creating a rich foundation in clear serving vessels.
5. Layer Dessert: Carefully spoon vanilla pudding mixture over shortcake crumbs, ensuring even distribution. Top with macerated strawberries, letting their juices mingle with the creamy base.
6. Build Complexity: Repeat layering process to create height and depth in each serving cup, alternating between pudding, shortcake, and strawberry components.
7. Finish and Garnish: Crown each pudding cup with a generous dollop of whipped cream, then garnish with fresh strawberry slices and a delicate sprinkle of shortcake crumbs for textural contrast and visual appeal.

Notes

• Chill Ingredients Thoroughly: Ensure pudding mix, milk, and cream are cold for optimal texture and smoothness. Refrigeration helps stabilize the dessert’s structure.
• Fold Gently: Use a light, careful folding technique when combining whipped cream with pudding to preserve airiness and prevent deflation of the mixture.
• Macerate Strawberries Wisely: Allow strawberries to sit with sugar and lemon juice for 15-20 minutes to intensify flavor and create a natural syrup without making them too mushy.
• Texture Balance is Key: Layer crumbled shortcake at the bottom for a crisp base that prevents sogginess and adds delightful crunch to the creamy dessert.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg