Description
These Strawberry Shortcake Dessert Cups are charming mini parfaits that combine layers of crumbled vanilla cake, luscious strawberry cream, and fresh strawberries. Perfect for a delightful treat, they’re easy to assemble, visually stunning, and offer a balance of creamy and fruity flavors for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake and Fruit
- 1 baked vanilla cake layer, crumbled
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
Cream Mixtures
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup strawberry puree
Optional Decorations and Enhancements
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
- Pink food coloring (optional)
- Pink sanding sugar (optional)
- Heart-shaped decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until creamy and well combined.
- Whip Heavy Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks, ensuring the cream holds firm shapes.
- Combine Cream Mixtures: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to create a smooth, airy cream base. Divide this mixture in half; to one half, add the strawberry puree to create the strawberry-flavored cream.
- Prepare Cake Crumbs: Crumble the baked vanilla cake layer into small, even pieces suitable for layering in cups.
- Layer Dessert Cups: Begin layering by placing cake crumbs at the bottom of each dessert cup, followed by a layer of strawberry cream, then a layer of sliced fresh strawberries, and finally a layer of vanilla cream.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering sequence as desired to fill the dessert cups attractively and generously.
- Top with Strawberry Cream: Pipe a swirl of strawberry cream on the top of each dessert cup for a decorative finish.
- Add Garnishes: Optionally, sprinkle pink sanding sugar or add heart-shaped decorations on top for extra visual appeal.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the dessert cups for at least 1 hour to set and allow the flavors to meld for an ideal serving experience.
Notes
- You can substitute the cake layer with store-bought vanilla cake or pound cake if pressed for time.
- Adjust sugar quantities based on sweetness preference, especially if using sweetened cake or strawberries.
- Adding a few drops of pink food coloring to the strawberry cream enhances the vibrant color but is optional.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- For a lighter version, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese and light whipping cream.
