Sweet Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake on Biscuits

Strawberry shortcake is arguably the darling of summer desserts. As a kid, strawberry shortcake meant a six-pack of spongey dessert cups topped with a few strawberry slices and a thud of cool whip. Now, I make sweet strawberry shortcake on biscuits with these honey balsamic strawberries with basil whipped cream.

I mean, how nostalgic does strawberry shortcake make you feel? Take your summer dessert game to the next level. You’ll love this strawberry shortcake recipe on any summer evening!

Strawberry Shortcake on Biscuits 

Cream biscuits are a breeze to make. They’re quick, easy, and take only a few minutes to prepare. In this recipe, heavy cream replaces butter, cutting your mixing and kneading time in half.

These biscuits are delicate and lighter than buttermilk biscuits. If you’re using self-rising flour, you only require three ingredients. If you don’t have self-rising flour, don’t fret. There’s an easy substitution included in the recipe notes.

Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar

Strawberries and balsamic vinegar are an unassuming pair. Often seen in salads and bowls, balsamic vinegar can really enhance these strawberries in a sweet dish, too. After all, it’s aged in casks in Italy (if you’re using real balsamic) and only gets better as the barrels progress in age.

Over time, balsamic becomes thicker, richer, and more velvety. When balsamic is paired with honey, these two are a duo to be reckoned with. Deep richness brought on by their respective amber hues only seems to complement each other, while the balsamic delivers a much-needed acidity to balance out honey’s rich sweetness.

Of course, we’ll need vanilla extract to smooth it out and bring everything together. Soon, you’ll be adding honey balsamic strawberries to everything from ice cream to yogurt parfaits!

Basil Whipped Cream

So far, almost every component of this dessert is rich and dense. This, of course, is why we top off so many dishes with freshly whipped cream. However, strawberries macerated in honey and balsamic deserve something a little… fancier. That is, however, the theme of this strawberry shortcake riff.

Basil is so fragrant and floral, and brings unique flavor to its dishes. While it can have a bit of a bite, it’s more of a mint-like essence that brightens up a dish.

Using a three-ingredient recipe for basil simple syrup, heavy cream transforms into a sublime dessert topping. And, substituting this botanical syrup for confectioner's sugar is as simple as it sounds.

Ingredients for Sweet Strawberry Shortcake on Biscuits

Choosing the right variations of honey, balsamic vinegar, and basil is imperative. Obviously, you can decide what to use, but these recommendations will ensure your honey balsamic strawberry shortcake comes out tasting like summer!

• Skip raw honey. There’s a reason that raw honey is more expensive; it contains the enzymes otherwise lost when brought above a certain temperature. It’s also more expensive, so don’t waste your money cooking honey that’s meant to stay below 80 degrees.
• Light honey equals light taste. Honey with darker amber hues, like chestnut and buckwheat honey, will deliver a deeper and richer flavor. Meanwhile, lighter variations like orange blossom and clover honey will offer a milder honey flavor.
• Look for balsamic vinegar from Modena. This is the classic region for growing grapes that will soon become balsamic vinegar. You can check for the ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ label, which ensures that food products are at least grown or produced in a stated area or region.
• Use real vanilla extract, not imitation! This is just good kitchen etiquette.
• Look for a local, organic heavy cream. Its taste is incomparable to grocery brands and is great for making homemade whipped cream.
• Shop for sweet basil. These leaves are softer and rounder and provide a sweeter and lighter flavor. Avoid sharper and spicier versions, like Thai basil.

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake Recipe FAQs

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