by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Florida Strawberry Season is in full swing, and this year’s crop is especially delicious thanks to the year’s colder weather. Besides being delicious, strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium. They’re also rich in antioxidants.
There are tons of great ways to enjoy Florida strawberries, from eating them raw, to making jams and jellies, and plenty more. But perhaps no other way to enjoy strawberries is as iconic as the classic strawberry shortcake.
Your typical strawberry shortcake features crumbly shortcake with layers of sliced strawberries and cream. But with some smart twists, you can transform this classic dessert into something entirely new. Here are three recipes to turn your classic strawberry shortcake into an unexpected delight you’re sure to love.
Strawberry Shortcake ‘Kebabs’
Adapted from Lil’ Luna
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix, plus required ingredients on back of box
- 48 strawberries
- 5 cubes vanilla candy coating
- 16 skewers
Directions
First, make the cake according to the directions. Once the cake is finished and cooled, cut it into 1½ inch squares and set aside.
Next, rinse your strawberries and cut off the tops. Take your skewers and add alternating pieces of cake and strawberries, ensuring each skewer ends with a strawberry to keep everything in place. Place the finished skewers on parchment paper.
Next, melt the candy coating by adding the squares to a small pan over low heat, stirring constantly. Once fully melted, drizzle over the skewers, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Once set, remove and enjoy.
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Adapted from Spoon Fork Bacon
Cookie Ingredients
- 1 cup diced strawberries
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 cups plus 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 cup plus 1 ½ tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup nonfat greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
Vanilla Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Begin by preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, place the strawberries, lemon juice, 2 tbsp flour, and 1 ½ tbsp sugar into a mixing bowl and toss together until well coated. Set aside in the refrigerator.
Next, in another mixing bowl, sift together remaining flour and sugar, plus baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the butter until a fine grainy texture forms. Then, stir in the greek yogurt and vanilla until just combined. Finally, fold in the strawberry mixture and lemon zest, and mix until well combined.
Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon on dough 2 tbsp at a time, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 17-20 minutes, until the cookies are barely starting to brown. Remove and let cookies cool completely.
Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by placing the sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl and gently stirring together until no lumps remain. Drizzle over the cookies and allow to set 30 minutes before serving.
Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Waffles
Adapted from Keepin’ It Kind
Waffle Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup almond milk
- ⅔ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- 3 tbsp coconut sugar
- 3 cups hulled and quartered strawberries
- Cacao nibs (optional)
- Whipped cream
- Maple syrup
Begin by preheating your waffle maker. Meanwhile, make the waffle batter by first whisking all dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. In another smaller bowl, mix together all wet ingredients, then combine the wet with the dry and let sit for about 10 minutes.
Once the batter is done resting, make your waffles according to your machine’s instructions, being sure to spray a small amount of oil into the waffle maker between each waffle.
Once your waffles are cooked, serve them by topping a waffle with whipped cream and strawberries, then stacking another waffle on top and repeating the process until you have a stack of two to three waffles. Optionally top with cacao nibs and maple syrup, and enjoy.