Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcakes

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Looking for a simple, no-fuss strawberry shortcake recipe? Try Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcakes. Unlike more complicated biscuit-style shortcakes, these use a simple cake batter to make light, tender little cakes. These are naturally egg-free. Top the cakes with berries and fresh whipped cream!

strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream

When the weather gets hot, it’s important to prioritize time in the kitchen. I’ve been making lots of dinners that we can throw on the grill and serve with something straight from the fridge (see Pesto Pasta Salad and its Asian-inspired counterpart Sesame Noodle Salad) and putting my kitchen time towards more enjoyable pursuits. Like strawberry shortcake.

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overhead image of Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcake batter in a muffin pan

Shortcakes usually fall into two categories – biscuit-style and cake-style. This super simple, weeknight-friendly version falls firmly in the cake category. These are tender muffin-shaped cakes that hold well up to juicy strawberries. 

One little cake with whipped cream and strawberries is enough to satisfy, but they’re light enough that you can easily have two. Best of all, these are almost as good a day or three after baking, so you can make them ahead. Just follow the steps below to reheat and serve. Here’s all you need to make them!

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Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcake on a plate with whipped cream on top

Ingredients for Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcake

  • All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, White Sugar, Pure Vanilla Extract – You’ll need these pantry staples / baking ingredients for the cakes. 
  • Milk – We tested these with regular 2% milk, but they should work with any variety of milk, including non-dairy milk. 
  • Nonfat Greek Yogurt – This recipe will work with any type of nonfat plain or Greek yogurt. It will also work with flavored yogurt. Full fat Greek yogurt is a bit too thick for this recipe, but can be used with an additional 1 Tbsp (15 mL) milk added to the recipe.
  • Vegetable Oil – This recipe will work fine with any neutral-flavored oil like vegetable, grapeseed, or avocado oil.
  • White Vinegar – This may seem like an unusual ingredient in the recipe list, but the vinegar reacts with the baking powder to create air bubbles in the batter. This helps the shortcakes to rise high and have a light and fluffy texture.
  • Demerara Sugar – There’s no need to go out of your way to buy it just for this recipe, but if you keep a raw sugar like demerara in your pantry, sprinkle a tiny bit over the shortcakes before baking. It will give the tops of the cakes a bit of sweet crunch! Turbinado sugar will work too.
overhead image of batter for strawberry shortcake in a bowl with a whisk

How to Make Macerated Strawberries

Macerated strawberries are simply strawberries that have been combined with sugar which causes the fruit to release liquid. The result is tender strawberries in a sweet syrup. This is great for serving over yogurt, ice cream, or desserts like angel food cake and strawberry shortcake. 

The longer the strawberries sit, the more liquid they will release. You can combine the strawberries and sugar anywhere from 30 minutes to a day before you’re ready to use them. (Store them in the refrigerator if making them more than 30 minutes ahead.)

sprinkling sugar over sliced Strawberries in a clear bowl

Make Strawberry Shortcakes Ahead

All of the components for strawberry shortcakes can be made ahead. Store the strawberries and whipped cream in the refrigerator. Store the shortcakes in an airtight container at room temperature. To serve, slice the shortcakes in half and lightly toast them in a toaster oven or for a few minutes in a 350°F / 177°C oven. 

overhead image of muffin pan strawberry shortcakes baked in a muffin tin

More Summer Desserts

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Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcake topped with whipped cream on a white table
4.47 from 28 votes

Muffin Pan Strawberry Shortcakes

Looking for a simple, no-fuss strawberry shortcake recipe? This is it. These are light, tender little cakes baked in a muffin pan. Top them with berries and fresh whipped cream.
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Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Muffin Pan

Ingredients 

Shortcakes

  • 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour (188 grams)
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • Pinch Salt
  • 1/2 cup White Sugar (100 grams)
  • 1/2 cup Milk (118mL)
  • 1/2 cup Nonfat Greek Yogurt (118mL) (see note)
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil (94 mL)
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoon White Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Demerara Sugar, for topping (optional)

Strawberries

  • 1 pound Strawberries, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons White Sugar

Whipped Cream

  • 3/4 cup Whipping / Heavy Cream, very cold
  • 1 Tablespoon White Sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Instructions 

Prepare Strawberries:

  • At least 30 minutes, and up to 1 day before serving, remove and discard stems from strawberries. Chop strawberries. Combine with 2 Tablespoons sugar. If making these right before serving, you can leave the strawberries at room temperature. If making them ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator. (The sugar will help the strawberries to soften and release juice.)

Make Shortcakes:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F / 177°C.
  • Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray (or use muffin liners).
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar, milk, yogurt, vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and vinegar until evenly combined.
  • Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until no dry spots remain (do not overmix).
  • Spray a cookie scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray (this will prevent the batter from sticking). Scoop up batter and divide it between spaces in the prepared muffin tin, filling each space about halfway. Sprinkle each shortcake with Demerara sugar (if using).
  • Bake until a tester inserted into one of the cakes comes out clean, 14 to 16 minutes.
  • Allow cakes to cool in the muffin tin. Serve immediately or store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Make Whipped Cream:

  • Combine whipping cream, 1 Tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Use a standing mixer or hand mixer to beat on high until the cream is thick and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

Serve:

  • To serve, slice each muffin in half and fill with whipped cream and strawberries.

Notes

Yogurt – This recipe will work with any type of nonfat plain or Greek yogurt. It will also work with flavored yogurt. If using full fat Greek yogurt, add an additional 1 Tablespoon (15 mL) milk to the recipe.
Make ahead – The shortcakes can be made up to 3 days ahead. To serve, slice them in half and lightly toast them in a toaster oven or for a few minutes in a 350°F / 177°C oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 229mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 233IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $5.00
Calories: 281
Keyword: berry dessert, easy dessert recipe, egg free baking, strawberries, summer dessert, summer recipe
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About Jess Smith

Jess is the recipe creator and photographer at InquiringChef.com. She spent nearly a decade as the Chief Recipe Developer for the award-winning meal planning app Cook Smarts. Her colorful, healthyish recipes have been featured in popular online publications including Parade, Hallmark, and HuffPost.

4.47 from 28 votes (28 ratings without comment)

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