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Strawberry Shortcakes, a classic dessert dating all the way back to 1588. Well today I’ve updated the classic with bourbon infused strawberries, whipped mascarpone, and homemade buttery biscuits, to create the most perfect spring/summer dessert.
Happy May everyone! I really can’t express how happy I am that it is May. Summer is so close I can almost feel it. Well, not really since it’s forecasted to snow today, but I think you guys know what I mean. It’s slowly starting to thaw out around here. The days are getting longer, we are finally starting to see some signs of growth outside, with flower buds popping up out of the ground, and the grass is slowly beginning to regrow.
Very exciting things.
This coming month we have so much happening. First, we are scheduled to finally finish up the studio barn, which is obviously so very exciting. Still feel like we have a lot to do, but it’s getting closer and closer to being done every day. Second, I am heading to LA yet again for a couple of fun shoots later in the month. And of course at the end of the month we have Memorial Day weekend, which to me is the official, unofficial start to summer.
So much to look forward to. What are you guys excited for this month?
OK. Moving along…
I say this every single year at this time, but the start of May always makes me crave southern style food. I know that shortcakes are classic, and not really “southern”, but they feel that way to me. Either way, I cannot wait to share this easy recipe with you guys.
This is one of those recipes that you should have in your back pocket from now until summer’s end. If you have strawberries on hand and don’t know what to do with them, you need to make these shortcakes. You just do.
Everything starts with the biscuits. I am a huge fan of an extra flakey, all butter biscuit. Nothing fancy, but all things good and delicious. My biscuit recipe calls for some butter, a good amount, and salted. I’ve said this before, but I really really love salted butter, even when baking. It adds a special touch to almost all baked goods and takes recipes to a new level. Yes, I am serious about my butter. Go with me on this.
PS. thank you mom for teaching me about good, salted butter. Got to love her for that.
That’s the biscuits, but now let’s talk about the strawberries. The inspiration for this recipe was really the upcoming Kentucky Derby (will you guys be watching?). I’m going to be honest, I don’t really watch the Derby in full, but I love celebrating it every year, as it’s just a fun event. Plus, I love any excuse to sneak some bourbon into my recipes.
Fun Fact: I have a lot of fun creating cocktails, but I take a sip or two and I am done. Not a huge drinker, but yet I still love cocktails. Odd, but true.
Anyway, since Derby Day is this Saturday, I decided to infuse my strawberries with just a touch of bourbon. Now you guys, even if you don’t like bourbon, I really think you will still LOVE these strawberries. We are only adding a splash of bourbon, and it’s really just highlighting the deliciously sweet strawberries. I love the slight hint of amber flavor that the bourbon adds, and when paired with a little honey, it’s pretty much perfect.
Of course, if you prefer to not use any alcohol you can omit the bourbon and use a splash of vanilla extract instead.
No shortcake is complete without a little cream, but mine is fancied up a bit. I love adding mascarpone to cream to give it a kick of flavor and a little more body too.
Put everything together and you have the perfect Southern inspired strawberry shortcake, perfect for any day of the week.
Meaning, we should all run home from work today and make these shortcakes. Because let’s be real, our Tuesday needs something fun to liven things up a bit. Again, go with me on this. You will not be disappointed.
If you make these Strawberry Shortcakes and love them, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make these Shortcakes, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through your photos of recipes you all have made is the best part of the day!
Strawberry Bourbon Shortcakes
Ingredients
Biscuits
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, grated on a box grater just like cheese
- 1 cup buttermilk, plus more for brushing
Bourbon Strawberries
- 6 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 3-4 tablespoons honey
- 1-2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
- fresh mint, for serving
Whipped Mascarpone
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add the butter and toss with the flour. Add the buttermilk and honey, and mix until just combined, adding more buttermilk if needed. 3. Roll the dough out into a 1 inch rectangle and cut into 9-12 biscuits. Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each with buttermilk. Transfer to the oven and bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool slightly before filling.4. Meanwhile, toss together the strawberries, honey, and bourbon in a medium bowl. Let sit 15-30 minutes.5. To make the cream. Whip the mascarpone and cream together until stiff peaks form. Fold in the honey.6. To assemble, slice each biscuit in half. Add a dollop of cream and spoon the strawberries overtop. Add mint and finish by adding the top of the biscuit. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
One word. YUM.
Hey! This looks so fantastic! I was wondering if I could substitute with a GF flour? Or would it ruin everything?? If yes, which substitute would you recommend? Thank you!!
Hi!
I would recommend using Cup4Cup gf flour. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can you make the biscuits ahead? Thank you!
Hi Aaryn,
Yes you can make the biscuits ahead of time.
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
another sucess in the kitchen this morning loved it thanks :)xx
I love to hear that! Thank you Hanan! xTieghan
Okay so these biscuits are AMAZING! I was feeling very lazy so I just put dollops of dough on the sheet rather than rolling them out etc. The outsides got perfectly crisp and then the insides were flakey and delicious and I will hold onto this recipe forever and ever amen!
Thank you so much Sarah! xTieghan
Be perfect with the rasberries and blackberries from my garden.
Wow yes fresh fruit is the most amazing! I hope this turns out perfectly for you! xTieghan
Can I turn these biscuits into cheesy ones..?? if so how much cheese do I add and do I replace the honey with something else?? Thx love your recipes
Hey Jen! I would add 3/4 cup of shredded cheese and leave the honey in the biscuits! That will be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
The biscuits are just what I’ve been looking for in a simple yet voluminous recipe – finally! The only adjustment I would make for next time is to cook the strawberries for 10ish minutes. I think it may bring out the bourbon flavor more. And I was lazy and didn’t make the marscapone and just served with whipped cream. Still delicious!
I am so glad you still enjoyed this Ruth and hope you love it with the marscapone! Thank you!
Made this for Memorial Day and it was a big hit.. Loved the bourbon added to strawberries and the I will always add mascarpone to my whipped cream now. It was less sweet and texture was creamier. Also, I’m having a leftover biscuit this morning with butter and jam and it is delicious!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Eleanor!
Delicious and juicy really like it.
Thank you John!
These are the prettiest strawberry shortcakes ever! Bring on all the strawberries :).
Thank you so much Laura!
Simply AMAZING! I could have eaten the bourbon strawberries completely on their own! Everything works out so beautifully!
Thank you so much!!
Made these over the weekend with strawberries from the farmer’s market. REALLY delicious – I made one punch of the strawberries with bourbon, and one with just honey. First time making buttermilk biscuits, so they were a little more dense than I hoped, but I’m sure I’ll get better at them over time! Any tips on making the biscuits flakier (e.g. how do you “toss” the butter with the flour mixture, do you combine by hand or use a stand mixer etc)? And the mascarpone whipped cream… that is now my go to!!!
HI! To make the biscuits, I like to use a spatula or my hands and not a mixer. A mixer can overmix the dough and make them dense. Please let me know if you have other questions. So glad you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
This recipe reminds me of my growing up years. My mom always make strawberry shortcake with biscuits. And what a great recipe since u-pick strawberry farms will be in full force for the next couple of months. Bourbon in the strawberries is an added treat.
Thank you so much!
This looks like the perfect dessert to me. A crunchy bottom with creamy top… Awesome!!
Thank you so much!
this is TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
So glad you like it! Thanks Cori!