Enjoy the sweetness of these Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits, a delicious twist on the classic strawberry shortcake. This no-bake recipe layers macerated strawberries with soft pound cake and fluffy whipped cream, in individual serving cups for easy entertaining!
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As a professional pastry chef and busy mom, I love creating desserts that allow my kids to join in on the fun. And just like my individual banana pudding recipe, my kids love making strawberry shortcake in a jar because they enjoy helping assemble all the layers that create a delicious treat!
Strawberry Shortcake With Pound Cake
You’ll often see my family enjoying fresh strawberry shortcakes during the summer months. It’s a classic dessert made with strawberries and whipped cream layered between soft biscuits for a sweet and simple treat. Strawberry parfaits are a unique twist on strawberry shortcake for a few different reasons:
- It uses pound cake: Biscuits are a classic combo with strawberry shortcake, but I found that cubing pound cake for the layers makes a more beautiful presentation (and just as tasty!). When I’m entertaining, I usually use a ready-made pound cake to save time.
- Macerated strawberries: Macerating strawberries involves tossing them with sugar to draw out their juices, creating a sweet, syrupy mixture. This method enhances the flavor and appearance of the dessert, perfectly complementing the moist pound cake and citrusy whipped cream.
- Citrus infused: I love the combination of orange and strawberries and found that adding some zest to the homemade whipped cream and juice to the strawberries adds a burst of flavor to my parfaits!
Shortcake parfaits are perfect for any occasion, from brunches to baby showers. These individual desserts pair well with drinks like Prosecco or lemonade and can be served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy no-bake dessert: This recipe is incredibly easy to assemble, requiring no baking, which means you can have a stunning dessert ready in just 25 minutes.
- Moist pound cake: Using pound cake instead of traditional biscuits adds a rich, buttery texture that elevates the overall taste and presentation.
- Refreshing taste: Incorporating citrus zest and juice into the whipped cream and strawberries balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Single serving: These parfaits are served in individual jars, for a dessert that is easy to serve, similar to strawberry mousse cheesecake.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Sliced Fresh Strawberries - These are the star of the dessert, providing a naturally sweet and slightly tart flavor that is both refreshing and indulgent.
- Granulated Sugar - Draws out the juices from the strawberries through maceration, enhancing their natural sweetness and creating a syrupy texture.
- Fresh Orange Juice - Adds a tangy brightness to the strawberries, elevating their flavor with a citrusy note.
- Cold Heavy Cream - Whips into a thick, creamy texture to form a fluffy whipped cream layer, adding richness and smoothness to the parfait.
- Powdered Sugar - Sweetens the whipped cream without the grittiness of granulated sugar, contributing to a silky-smooth texture.
- Orange Zest - Infuses the whipped cream with a fragrant citrus flavor that complements the orange juice in the strawberries.
- Vanilla Extract - Enhances the overall flavor of the whipped cream with its warm, floral notes, tying together the creamy and fruity layers. I use a good quality vanilla for the best flavor.
- Cubed Store-Bought Pound Cake - Provides a buttery, dense base that absorbs the strawberry juices and cream, adding texture and structure to the parfait.
How to Macerate Strawberries
Macerating strawberries is a simple technique used to soften the fruit and enhance its natural sweetness by drawing out its juices. When choosing strawberries, look for ripe, fragrant berries that are bright red without any white or green spots.
To macerate strawberries, start by slicing them into even pieces. Then, sprinkle granulated sugar over the sliced strawberries, gently toss them together, and let them sit for at least 15 minutes. The sugar not only sweetens the berries but also draws out their natural juices, creating a delicious, syrupy mixture that's perfect for layering in desserts!
How To Make Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits
Prepare the strawberries: Place the sliced strawberries into a medium bowl. Toss with granulated sugar and fresh orange juice. Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to render the juice. When ready to assemble, remove from the fridge and toss to redistribute the juices.
Make the whipped cream: Add the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, orange zest, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl or to the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whisk the mixture on low until it becomes frothy, then turn the speed to medium-high for about three minutes or until stiff peaks form. Do not overmix, or the cream will become thick and lumpy.
Layer the shortcake parfaits: Place the first layer of cubed pound cake at the bottom of jars or glass containers. Top with a layer of macerated strawberries and a layer of citrus whipped cream. Repeat these layers until the jars are filled with the whipped cream being the top layer. Chill and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Add the granulated sugar to the strawberries and let them sit for at least 15 minutes or longer if you prefer a more syrupy texture.
- Avoid overmixing the heavy cream to prevent it from turning into butter; stop when you reach stiff peaks for the perfect texture.
- Layer the parfaits gently to maintain distinct layers, starting with pound cake at the bottom, followed by strawberries, and then whipped cream.
- For an extra touch of elegance, reserve a few slices of strawberry and a sprinkle of orange zest for garnishing the top of each parfait.
- Store the assembled parfaits in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to come together and the pound cake to absorb some of the strawberry juices.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap the orange juice and zest for lemon or lime to introduce a different citrus note that complements the strawberries.
- Mix in a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar with the strawberries before macerating to add a rich, savory, and acidic flavor that enhances the berries' sweetness.
- Use mixed berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, along with strawberries for a berry medley version.
- Fold chopped fresh mint or basil into the strawberry mixture for a refreshing, herb flavor that brightens the dessert.
Storage & Freezing Tips
How to store: Store the assembled strawberry shortcake parfaits in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, for up to 24 hours. This will keep the layers fresh and prevent the pound cake from becoming too soggy. Avoid freezing, as it will alter the texture of the whipped cream and strawberries.
How to make ahead: Prepare the macerated strawberries and whipped cream up to a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. The pound cake can be cubed and kept at room temperature in an airtight container. When ready to serve (if skipping refrigeration), simply layer the ingredients in jars or glasses and enjoy.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before macerating with sugar to ensure the flavor and consistency match the taste and texture of fresh strawberries.
Yes, making this recipe in a larger container, like a trifle bowl, creates a stunning presentation. Just layer the ingredients as you would for individual servings, keeping in mind to evenly distribute each layer for consistent flavor in every scoop.
To keep the whipped cream stable in the parfait, make sure it reaches medium peaks when whipping and layer it gently in the container. Using cold heavy cream and a chilled bowl also helps maintain its structure longer.
More Strawberry Desserts You'll Love
- Easy Strawberry Apple Crisp
- Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
- Easy Strawberry Peach Crisp
- Roasted Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream
- Soft & Chewy Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
I hope you love these Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits as much as we do and that they become a family favorite! Please leave a comment below, I love reading your feedback! And if you’d like to make this recipe later, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest! Happy Baking!
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Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Enjoy the sweetness of these Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits, a delicious twist on the classic strawberry shortcake. This no-bake recipe layers macerated strawberries with soft pound cake and fluffy whipped cream, in individual serving cups for easy entertaining!
Ingredients
- 450 g (1 pound) fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
- 240 g (1 cup) cold heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 store-bought pound cake, cut into ¾” cubes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the strawberries, granulated sugar, and orange juice. Cover and chill for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the cream, powdered sugar, orange zest, and vanilla on medium-low speed until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue whisking until medium peaks form, about 3 minutes. Careful not to overmix or else it will become thick and lumpy.
- To assemble the dessert, arrange cubed pound cake at the bottom of jars or glass containers. Top with a layer of strawberries. Next, layer the whipped cream. Repeat layers until the jars are filled.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to allow the pound cake to soak up some of the strawberry liquid.
Notes
Storage: Store covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Make ahead: Prep the macerated strawberries and whipped cream up to a day in advance. The pound cake can be cubed and kept at room temperature at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Custards & Parfaits
- Method: No-bake
Sady says
Delicious. I love how easy this was and the touch of orange was a great addition. This was the perfect recipe to make for an easy night of entertaining my family.
Maria Pagiotas says
Hi Sady! so happy you enjoyed this recipe! I love a strawberry and orange combo 🙂 Thank you for sharing!