The Fresh Pick Ina Garten Strawberry Shortcakes, Deconstructed Recipe

In Ina Garten’s deconstructed strawberry shortcakes, culinary magic happens through reimagined classic dessert techniques.

Sweet summer memories dance across delicate layers of contrasting textures and vibrant flavors.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe transforms traditional expectations into an artistic dining experience.

Delightful components invite playful interaction with each carefully crafted element.

Crisp biscuits provide a sturdy foundation for luscious macerated berries.

Silky whipped cream adds luxurious softness between rustic layers.

Now, get ready to wow your guests!

What Makes Deconstructed Shortcakes So Clever

• Elevate Dessert Elegance: Ina Garten's deconstructed strawberry shortcakes transform a classic treat into a sophisticated, visually stunning experience that impresses guests with its modern presentation.
• Burst of Seasonal Freshness: Ripe, juicy strawberries macerated with Grand Marnier create a vibrant, intensely flavored fruit base that captures the essence of summer in every delightful spoonful.
• Perfectly Textured Biscuits: Handcrafted shortcakes boast a golden, crispy exterior and tender, buttery interior, with visible butter lumps ensuring a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture that elevates the entire dessert.
• Effortless Entertaining Charm: This recipe offers a simple yet elegant dessert that can be prepared ahead of time, making it ideal for dinner parties, summer gatherings, or a luxurious weekend treat without complicated techniques.

The Building Blocks for This Reimagined Dessert

• All-Purpose Flour: Fine, soft flour that creates a tender and light biscuit base.
• Sugar: Classic sweetener that adds gentle sweetness and helps with browning.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps the biscuits rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the dessert.

• Butter: Cold, unsalted butter that creates flaky and rich texture in shortcakes.
• Heavy Cream: Rich dairy ingredient that adds moisture and contributes to tender crumb.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and helps with browning.

• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries that bring natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Grand Marnier, Orange Juice: Optional liqueur or juice that adds depth and citrus notes to the strawberries.
• Whipped Cream: Light, airy topping that complements the shortcakes and strawberries.

Layer Your Way to Strawberry Heaven

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 200°C | 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gather all necessary baking tools and ingredients.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

Add diced cold butter to the dry mixture. Mix on low speed until butter resembles tiny pea-sized pieces.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Heavy cream

Slowly pour into flour mixture while mixing on low speed. Mix until just combined – the dough will look slightly sticky.

Step 5: Roll Out Dough

Transfer dough onto a generously floured surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll dough to 1.25-1.5cm | ½ to ⅝ inch thickness. Look for visible butter chunks for extra flakiness.

Step 6: Shape Shortcake Rounds

Dip a round cutter in flour. Cut 16-18 biscuits from rolled dough. Place cut biscuits onto prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.

Step 7: Apply Finishing Touch

Brush biscuit tops with egg wash. Sprinkle with additional sugar for a golden, crunchy exterior.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Bake shortcakes for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Ensure centers are fully cooked. Allow to cool directly on baking sheet.

Step 9: Macerate Strawberries

• Sliced strawberries
• Sugar
• Grand Marnier or orange juice

Gently toss to coat and let sit for enhanced flavor.

Step 10: Create Elegant Dessert Presentation

Divide macerated strawberries among 6 martini glasses. Top with whipped cream. Serve 2-3 shortcakes alongside each glass for a stunning deconstructed dessert.

Dessert Tips with a Fancy Twist

• Chill Butter for Flaky Perfection: Keeping butter ice-cold ensures your biscuits have that irresistible, tender crumb. Refrigerate dough briefly if it warms up during preparation.
• Handle Dough with Gentle Care: Mix ingredients minimally to prevent tough biscuits. Tender, light texture comes from a delicate touch and minimal mixing.
• Select Strawberry Superstars: Choose ripe, deeply colored berries bursting with natural sweetness. Enhance flavor by sprinkling a bit of sugar and letting them macerate before serving.
• Create a Golden Biscuit Glow: An egg wash transforms plain biscuits into bakery-worthy beauties with a stunning golden-brown shine and delicate crispness.
• Whip Cream to Silky Smoothness: Aim for soft, billowy peaks that hold their shape without becoming grainy. Stop beating just as the cream becomes light and cloud-like.

Keep Those Layers Fresh and Flavorful

• Preserve Freshness: Separate components to maintain peak quality. Wrap baked biscuits individually in parchment paper, then place in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption and maintain crisp texture. Store at cool room temperature for maximum 48 hours.
• Freeze Strategically: Disassemble shortcake elements before freezing. Seal biscuits in vacuum-sealed bags to prevent freezer burn, keeping them perfect for up to 90 days. Freeze whipped cream in small silicone molds for easy portioning, ensuring convenient future dessert assembly.
• Strawberry Protection: Transfer macerated berries into glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb excess liquid, preventing soggy fruit. Refrigerate immediately and consume within 36 hours for optimal flavor and texture.

Bold Shortcake Ideas That Break the Mold

• Berry Bliss Remix: Swap strawberries with a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant summer berry celebration.
• Tropical Paradise Shortcake: Replace Grand Marnier with coconut rum and add diced mangoes and pineapples to the fruit mix for a Caribbean-inspired dessert.
• Lavender Lemon Shortcake: Infuse the biscuit dough with dried lavender and add lemon zest, then serve with lemon-macerated strawberries for a fragrant, citrusy version.
• Chocolate Decadence Edition: Incorporate cocoa powder into the biscuit dough and serve with chocolate-covered strawberries and dark chocolate whipped cream for an indulgent twist.

A Short but Sweet Goodbye to Strawberry Bliss

Strawberry shortcakes elevate summer’s sweetest moments with Ina Garten’s elegant twist.

California strawberries mingle with buttery biscuits, creating pure culinary poetry.

Grand Marnier whispers sophistication into each delightful bite.

Luxurious textures and complex flavors dance across palates, promising memorable dessert experiences.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary celebration.

Readers will savor every crumb, share delicious snapshots, spark conversations, and spread delectable inspiration across social media platforms.

Ina Garten Strawberry Shortcakes, Deconstructed Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s Deconstructed Strawberry Shortcakes offer a sophisticated twist on classic summer desserts. Layers of buttery biscuits, macerated berries, and whipped cream create an elegant, irresistible experience that will delight your senses.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and thickly sliced
• 12 tablespoons (170 grams or 1½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
• 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Granulated sugar

Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:

• ½ cup (118 milliliters) cold heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier liqueur
• 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk, for egg wash
• Sweetened whipped cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 200°C | 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal biscuit baking.
2. Combine dry ingredients meticulously by sifting flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt into an electric mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment.
3. Integrate cold butter into the dry mixture, mixing at low speed until butter fragments resemble tiny pea-sized nuggets, ensuring a flaky texture.
4. Create a wet ingredient blend by whisking eggs and heavy cream together in a measuring cup, then gradually introducing the liquid to the flour mixture while mixing on low speed until just combined.
5. Transfer the sticky dough onto a generously floured surface, using a flour-dusted rolling pin to flatten to 1.25-1.5cm | ½ to ⅝ inch thickness, keeping visible butter chunks intact for optimal texture.
6. Use a 5cm | 2-inch round cutter dipped in flour to shape 16-18 biscuits, carefully positioning them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Enhance the biscuits’ appearance by gently brushing the tops with egg wash and sprinkling additional granulated sugar for a golden, crisp finish.
8. Bake the shortcakes for 15-20 minutes until they achieve a rich golden-brown color and are completely cooked through, then allow to cool directly on the baking sheet.
9. Macerate the strawberries by combining sliced fruit with granulated sugar and Grand Marnier (or orange juice) in a medium mixing bowl, letting the flavors meld and intensify.
10. Construct the dessert presentation by distributing macerated strawberries among 6 martini glasses, crowning each with a generous dollop of whipped cream and accompanying with 2-3 freshly baked shortcakes.

Notes

• Chill Butter Strategically: Freeze butter chunks for 15 minutes before mixing to ensure maximum flakiness and prevent tough biscuit texture.
• Gentle Dough Handling: Stop mixing the moment ingredients combine, preventing gluten development that creates heavy, dense biscuits.
• Strawberry Selection Matters: Choose bright red, fragrant berries with no white shoulders, ensuring maximum sweetness and vibrant flavor.
• Egg Wash Technique: Apply a thin, even layer with a pastry brush for a professional-looking golden shine that elevates visual appeal.
• Cream Whipping Precision: Watch carefully while beating, stopping exactly when soft peaks form and maintain a silky, cloud-like consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 180mg