The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m Inaya, 38, from the sunlit island of Crete in Greece. Growing up, strawberries were a special treat. My grandmother didn’t often buy them, but when she did, we made every berry count. She’d serve them with fresh cream and a sprinkle of sugar simple, sweet, and unforgettable. Years later, I wanted to capture that same joy but with a modern twist, and that’s how my Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes were born.
This dessert is pure happiness in a bowl soft shortcake, creamy vanilla ice cream, and juicy strawberries bursting with flavor. It’s light, summery, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re serving guests or treating yourself after a long day, this recipe brings that same warmth I felt in my grandmother’s kitchen.
You don’t need to be a pastry chef to make these sundaes. All it takes are a few simple ingredients, a bit of love, and the excitement of creating something beautiful. So grab your strawberries, and let’s bring a touch of Crete sunshine to your table!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for your dreamy Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes:
For the Shortcake Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ¾ cup heavy cream (plus a bit more for brushing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Sundae Layers:
- Vanilla ice cream (about 1 quart)
- Whipped cream for topping
- Crushed shortbread cookies (optional for extra crunch)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
(Keyword “Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes” naturally appears 3 times in this section.)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Make the Shortcake Biscuits
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add vanilla and cream, stirring until just combined don’t overmix!
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, pat it into a 1-inch-thick round, and cut into circles using a biscuit cutter. Place on a baking sheet, brush with cream, and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Let cool completely before assembling.
Step 2 – Prepare the Strawberries
While your biscuits cool, toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice. Let them sit for 15–20 minutes until they become juicy and syrupy.
Step 3 – Assemble the Sundaes
Now comes the fun part! Crumble or halve a shortcake biscuit and place it at the bottom of a dessert glass or bowl. Add a scoop (or two!) of vanilla ice cream, spoon over a generous layer of macerated strawberries, then top with whipped cream. Repeat the layers if you like!
Finish with a few crushed cookies and a mint leaf for color.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes immediately for the best texture cold, creamy, and slightly crumbly. They pair beautifully with a cup of Greek coffee or a chilled glass of rosé.
For a creative touch, try swapping vanilla ice cream for strawberry or mascarpone gelato. You can even drizzle a bit of honey over the top for a Mediterranean twist.
These sundaes are perfect for summer parties, girls’ nights, or cozy evenings at home. And trust me, they taste like sunshine and nostalgia combined.
Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes – A Sweet, Summery Delight from My Kitchen
These Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes are a dreamy combination of buttery shortcake biscuits, juicy macerated strawberries, and creamy vanilla ice cream a perfect summer dessert inspired by my Crete childhood. Sweet, refreshing, and easy to make in under 30 minutes!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Shortcake Biscuits:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
¾ cup heavy cream (plus more for brushing)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Filling:
3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
For Sundae Assembly:
1 quart vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream for topping
Crushed shortbread cookies (optional)
Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
Make the Shortcake Biscuits:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in cream and vanilla until dough forms.
Roll out, cut biscuits, and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden. Cool completely.Prepare the Strawberries:
Combine sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice. Let sit for 20 minutes until juicy and syrupy.Assemble the Sundaes:
Crumble a biscuit into the bottom of each glass. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, spoon strawberries over, then top with whipped cream.
Repeat layers if desired. Garnish with mint and crushed cookies.
Notes
For extra sweetness, drizzle honey or strawberry syrup between layers.
Use frozen strawberries if fresh aren’t available just thaw first.
Try mascarpone or Greek yogurt ice cream for a Mediterranean twist!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Assembled Sundae
- Cuisine: Greek-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sundae
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Conclusion
Making these Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes always takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen simple ingredients, shared laughter, and the magic of turning something ordinary into something extraordinary.
This dessert celebrates the joy of homemade treats and the beauty of slowing down to enjoy them. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, remember: food is love, and love tastes sweetest when shared. 💕
Midjourney Prompt (Recipe Card Image Placement – End of Article):
Recipe card layout showing all elements of Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes: ingredients, steps, and a finished dessert photo on parchment background. Style: modern cookbook aesthetic.
🍓 Short 100-Word Version
Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete! These Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes are a dreamy mix of buttery biscuits, creamy vanilla ice cream, and juicy strawberries. Inspired by my grandmother’s simple desserts, this recipe brings comfort and joy in every spoonful. You’ll bake light shortcake biscuits, prepare sweet strawberries, and layer them into sundaes that look and taste like summer. Perfect for gatherings or cozy moments at home, this treat is as easy as it is delightful full of love, flavor, and sunshine.