Boozy Berry Bliss: Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes Recipe

Sweet summer memories bloom with these luscious strawberry shortcakes that promise pure dessert bliss.

Tender biscuits cradle ripe, ruby-red berries bursting with natural sweetness.

Each bite carries the essence of sunshine and relaxation.

Crumbly, buttery layers melt against juicy strawberries, creating a divine harmony of textures.

Whipped cream adds a cloud-like softness that perfectly complements the fruit’s vibrant flavor.

Fresh ingredients transform this classic dessert into a celebration of seasonal delights.

Indulge in this irresistible treat that will transport you to moments of pure culinary joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 399 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes Into Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes With Malted Whipped Cream

• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries bursting with natural sweetness, perfect for soaking up boozy flavors.
• Sugar: Enhances the strawberries' natural sweetness and helps create a luscious syrup.
• Brandy: Adds sophisticated depth and warmth to the fruit maceration.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a subtle aromatic complexity to the strawberry mixture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the tender, crumbly foundation of the classic shortcake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning of the pastry.
• Baking Powder: Provides the light, airy lift to the shortcake texture.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Butter: Delivers rich, flaky layers with incredible buttery flavor.
• Heavy Cream, Vanilla Extract: Moistens the dough and adds delicate aromatic notes.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, billowy peaks of creamy goodness.
• Malted Milk Powder: Introduces nostalgic, nutty undertones with a hint of childhood sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Softens and sweetens the whipped cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the cream with warm, comforting essence.

Gear Checklist For Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes With Malted Whipped Cream

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and macerating strawberries and mixing shortcake dough.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Necessary for cutting cold butter into flour mixture.
• Baking sheet: Crucial for baking shortcakes evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents shortcakes from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Round or heart-shaped cookie cutter: Helps create uniform shortcake shapes.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows shortcakes to cool without becoming soggy.
• Electric mixer: Needed for whipping cream to soft peaks.
• Chilled bowl: Keeps whipped cream cold and helps it form better.

Step By Step Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes With Malted Whipped Cream

• Fire Up the Oven

Preheat your kitchen companion to a toasty 400F, creating the perfect warm environment for your delectable dessert.

• Craft the Tender Base

Mix dry ingredients in a spacious bowl, transforming flour, sugar, and leavening agents into a magical foundation. Gently massage cold butter into the mixture until it looks like sandy crumbs. Pour in cream and vanilla, blending until a soft dough emerges.

• Shape and Bake Shortcakes

Dust your workspace with flour and lovingly pat the dough to a one-inch thickness. Carve out round beauties using a cutter, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush tops with cream and sprinkle a whisper of sugar. Bake until golden and irresistible, around 12-15 minutes.

• Prepare Luscious Cream

In a chilled bowl, whip cream with malted magic, powdered sweetness, and vanilla until soft peaks dance and rise.

• Build Your Delightful Creation

Tenderly split each shortcake. Layer with boozy strawberries and creamy clouds of whipped goodness. Crown with the top half and add another playful dollop of cream and berries.

• Serve and Celebrate

Present immediately, perhaps adorned with a mint leaf or dusting of malted powder, ready to enchant taste buds.

Smart Tweaks For Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes With Malted Whipped Cream

• Berry Boost: Use a mix of fresh strawberries and raspberries for added complexity and color contrast in your dessert.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare shortcakes and macerate strawberries up to 6 hours in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for similar texture and structure.
• Low-Sugar Option: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar quantity by half, using ripe strawberries for natural sweetness.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Swap heavy cream with coconut cream in both shortcakes and whipped cream, using dairy-free butter alternatives for a plant-based version that maintains rich flavor profiles.

How To Serve Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes With Malted Whipped Cream

• Summer Dessert Picnic Delight: Pack these shortcakes in cute mason jars for a portable, elegant outdoor treat that will impress friends at beach gatherings or backyard parties.
• Romantic Date Night Presentation: Create an intimate dessert experience by arranging the shortcakes on a beautiful ceramic plate with a dusting of powdered sugar and a strategically placed mint leaf for an elegant touch.
• Brunch Showstopper: Serve these shortcakes as a stunning centerpiece at a weekend brunch, letting guests build their own dessert with extra strawberries and whipped cream on the side for a fun, interactive experience.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Pair these brandied strawberry shortcakes with a light champagne or rosé to elevate the dessert into a sophisticated afternoon tea selection that feels both classic and modern.

Store And Prep Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes With Malted Whipped Cream

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store brandied strawberries and malted whipped cream separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and flavor preservation.
• Shortcake Survival Guide: Keep baked shortcakes in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain texture and prevent moisture absorption.
• Smart Component Separation: Keep whipped cream, strawberries, and shortcakes separate until serving to prevent soggy textures. Assemble just before enjoying to maintain crisp shortcake edges and fresh cream consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare brandied strawberries and shortcake dough one day in advance. Refrigerate strawberry mixture and keep dough wrapped in plastic. Bake shortcakes and whip cream on serving day for maximum taste and quality.

Luscious Strawberry Shortcakes

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Brandied strawberry shortcakes with malted whipped cream showcase summer’s sweet bounty in a classic dessert. Flaky biscuits, boozy berries, and creamy malt topping invite you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) strawberries, fresh, hulled and sliced
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream, chilled
• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps (25 g) granulated sugar
• 3 tbsps brandy
• 3 tbsps malted milk powder (e.g., Ovaltine or Carnation)
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Macerate Strawberries: Combine sliced strawberries, sugar, brandy, and vanilla in a bowl. Let sit at room temperature for 45 minutes, stirring periodically to distribute flavors and soften fruits.
2. Create Pastry Dough: Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gently fold in cream and vanilla, forming a cohesive dough without overworking.
3. Shape and Prepare Shortcakes: Roll dough on a floured surface to one-inch thickness. Cut into circular or heart-shaped rounds, reusing scraps. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brushing tops with cream and sprinkling with sugar.
4. Bake Shortcakes: Roast in a preheated 400°F oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool on a wire rack to maintain crisp texture and prevent sogginess.
5. Whip Malted Cream: In a chilled bowl, whip cream with malted milk powder, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form, creating a light and airy topping.
6. Assemble Dessert: Carefully split each shortcake horizontally. Layer bottom with macerated strawberries and a generous portion of malted cream. Replace top half and add additional cream and fruit garnish.
7. Serve and Garnish: Plate immediately, optionally dusting with malted milk powder or adorning with a fresh mint leaf for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Macerate Mindfully: Let strawberries sit with brandy and sugar for exactly 45 minutes to develop deep, complex flavor profiles without losing fruit’s natural sweetness.
• Butter Temperature Matters: Use ultra-cold butter and work quickly when incorporating into dough to ensure flaky, tender shortcake texture that crumbles perfectly.
• Cream Whipping Technique: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk beforehand to achieve maximum volume and stability for the malted whipped cream, creating light, airy peaks.
• Serve Spontaneously: Assemble shortcakes just before serving to maintain crisp pastry texture and prevent soggy bottoms, preserving the dessert’s delicate structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 399
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 165 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 91 mg