Delicious Quick Shrimp Scampi: Ready in Just 15 Minutes!

Shrimp scampi stands as a beloved seafood delicacy that captures the essence of Italian-American cuisine.

The dish combines succulent seafood with aromatic garlic and zesty lemon flavors that dance on the palate.

Restaurants and home cooks alike celebrate this quick and elegant meal for its simplicity and irresistible taste.

Mediterranean culinary traditions have significantly influenced the preparation of this classic seafood recipe.

Butter, white wine, and fresh herbs create a luxurious sauce that elevates the delicate shrimp to a gourmet experience.

Diners can enjoy this versatile dish as a standalone meal or a sophisticated appetizer that promises to impress even the most discerning food enthusiasts.

Why Quick Shrimp Scampi Is A Fast Favorite

• Swirl with Ease: This marble cake recipe transforms complex baking into a delightful, stress-free experience that anyone can master.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Requiring only 45 minutes from start to finish, this recipe delivers impressive results without consuming your entire day.
• Family-Friendly Dessert: Perfect for gatherings, this cake combines classic chocolate and coffee flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, creating a crowd-pleasing treat.
• Versatile Showstopper: With its stunning marbled appearance and crumb topping, this cake works beautifully for casual weekend treats or elegant dinner parties, making it a go-to dessert for multiple occasions.

What You Need For Quick Shrimp Scampi

Cake Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cake base.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic flavor to the cake.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light.
• Baking Soda: Supports leavening and creates soft texture.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and creates tender crumb.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tangy flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides classic bakery-style flavor.

• Instant Espresso Powder: Creates deep coffee undertone.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor.
• Dark Chocolate: Adds intense chocolate notes and texture.
• Crumb Topping Butter: Creates a crunchy, buttery top layer.

How To Prepare Quick Shrimp Scampi Fast

Step 1: Set the Stage

Crank up the oven to 350°F. Grab an 8×8 baking pan and give it a quick spray of cooking oil, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Toss in cold butter cubes and mash with a pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture looks like chunky sand. Park this topping to the side.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Base

Grab your mixer and beat granulated sugar with butter until fluffy and cloud-like. Drop in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Splash in sour cream and vanilla extract, blending until smooth.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing gently to keep the batter light.

Step 5: Split and Flavor

Divide batter into two equal portions. Stir instant espresso powder into one half. Mix cocoa powder and chopped dark chocolate into the other half.

Step 6: Create Swirly Artwork

Dollop espresso and chocolate batters alternately into the prepared pan. Use a knife to create wild, twisty marbled patterns.

Step 7: Add Crumbly Crown

Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly across the surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Reveal

Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.

Tips To Get Quick Shrimp Scampi Just Right

• Marbling Magic: Gently swirl batters using a knife in figure-eight motions to create beautiful, unique patterns without overmixing.
• Crumb Topping Trick: Freeze butter cubes for 10 minutes before cutting into the flour mixture for extra crispy, flakier crumbs.
• Moisture Mastery: Add sour cream to keep the cake incredibly soft and prevent dryness, ensuring a tender texture throughout.
• Espresso Enhancement: Use instant espresso powder to intensify chocolate flavor and add depth without making the cake taste like coffee.
• Temperature Timing: Allow eggs and dairy ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing to help ingredients blend more smoothly and create a more consistent batter.

How To Store Quick Shrimp Scampi The Easy Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chilled for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of white wine or broth to prevent drying out and maintain moisture. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly.
• Microwave Option: Place shrimp in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent rubbery texture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warm.
• Quality Tip: Consume refrigerated shrimp scampi within 1-2 days for best flavor and texture. Avoid freezing, as it can significantly alter the delicate seafood's texture and taste.

What Goes Well With Quick Shrimp Scampi

• Pair Flavor-Boosting Wines: Select crisp, zesty white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complement the cake's rich chocolate and espresso notes, cutting through the sweetness with bright acidity.
• Craft Complementary Dessert Sides: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped mascarpone cream to enhance the cake's complex marble texture and provide a cool, creamy contrast.
• Create Espresso-Inspired Beverage Match: Brew a fresh shot of espresso or prepare a cappuccino to echo the cake's coffee undertones, creating a harmonious flavor profile that intensifies the dessert's depth.
• Design Textural Garnish: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or dark chocolate shavings on the plate, adding a delightful crunch and nutty dimension that elevates the cake's visual and gustatory experience.

Fresh Ideas For Quick Shrimp Scampi

• Gluten-Free Marble Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine. Replace sour cream with coconut yogurt or dairy-free alternative.
• Chocolate Lover's Upgrade: Add extra dark chocolate chips into the batter. Increase cocoa powder quantity for more intense chocolate flavor throughout the cake.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar. Reduce brown sugar in crumb topping and replace with sugar-free alternatives to lower overall sugar content.

Questions People Ask About Quick Shrimp Scampi

• What makes the marble effect in this cake?

The swirling technique creates the marble effect by dropping spoonfuls of espresso and chocolate batters alternately into the pan, then using a knife or spoon to gently mix them together, creating beautiful swirled patterns.

• Can I use regular coffee instead of instant espresso powder?

While instant espresso powder provides a more intense flavor, you can substitute with strong brewed coffee that has been cooled. Just reduce the liquid slightly to maintain the batter’s consistency.

• How do I know if the cake is properly mixed?

When mixing the batters, combine just until the ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake texture, so stop mixing as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.

• Is the crumb topping necessary for the recipe?

The crumb topping adds a delightful texture and extra flavor to the cake, but you can omit it if desired. The cake will still be delicious without the topping.

Savory Quick Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delectable Shrimp Scampi whisks home cooks through Mediterranean coastal kitchens with zesty garlic and buttery white wine notes. Succulent shrimp dance alongside perfectly al dente pasta, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can craft in mere minutes.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (150 grams / 5.3 ounces) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (12 tablespoons; 168 grams / 5.9 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs (150 grams / 5.3 ounces), room temperature
• 1 ⅓ cups (160 grams / 5.6 ounces) all-purpose flour

Dairy and Flavoring Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons (100 grams / 3.5 ounces) sour cream, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
• 2 ounces (57 grams) dark chocolate, finely chopped

Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons (15 grams) Dutch process unsweetened cocoa powder

Crumb Topping Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (90 grams / 3.2 ounces) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (105 grams / 3.7 ounces) brown sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams / 3 ounces) unsalted butter, cold, cut

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and preparing an 8×8 baking pan with grease and flour, ensuring smooth cake release.
2. Create the crumb topping by blending flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture achieves a coarse, textured consistency.
3. Utilize a stand mixer to cream granulated sugar and unsalted butter until achieving a light, airy texture, then integrate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
4. Incorporate sour cream and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and cohesive.
5. Separately whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to create the dry ingredient mixture.
6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing minimally to maintain batter integrity.
7. Divide the batter into two portions, introducing instant espresso powder to one half and cocoa powder with chopped dark chocolate to the other, stirring each until uniformly combined.
8. Layer the espresso and chocolate batters alternately in the prepared pan, using a knife to create intricate marbled swirls throughout the mixture.
9. Distribute the prepared crumb topping evenly across the batter’s surface.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted centrally emerges clean.
11. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Crumb Topping Trick: Freeze the butter cubes for 10-15 minutes before mixing to create a flakier, more textured topping.
• Swirling Technique: Avoid over-mixing when creating the marble effect to maintain distinct chocolate and espresso patterns.
• Moisture Magic: Add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt alongside sour cream for extra moisture and tender crumb.
• Make-Ahea

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 34g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 100mg