Chef Hale's Mason Jar Strawberry Shortcake
Fresh Strawberries • Homemade Shortcake • Fresh Whipped Cream
A compact paring knife is the quiet hero of strawberry season. Its short blade keeps the tip close to your fingers, so you have the control to dig out the hull with one clean twist and leave the sweet fruit behind. That same control lets you slice thin, even pieces without crushing a soft berry, which is exactly what you want layered through these jars.
- Makes
- 12 jars, 8 oz each
- Prep
- 35 minutes
- Bake
- 18 to 22 minutes
- Rest
- 30 minutes to macerate
Ingredients
Makes 12 (8 oz) mason jars
Shortcake
Strawberry Filling
Mix together and let the berries macerate for at least 30 minutes.
Whipped Cream
Whip until soft peaks form. Do not overwhip. You want it light, smooth, and luxurious.
Directions
Bake the shortcake
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture looks coarse and pebbly.
Mix the cream and vanilla together, then gently fold into the flour mixture until just combined.
Spread onto a parchment-lined sheet pan about 1 inch thick, or scoop into rustic biscuits.
Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until beautifully golden.
Cool completely, then break into bite-sized pieces.
Build the mason jars
-
Layer each jar in this order:
- Shortcake pieces
- Fresh strawberries with a little of their juice
- Fresh whipped cream
Repeat the layers.
-
Top the jars.
Finish with
- A generous dollop of whipped cream
- Fresh sliced strawberries
- Crumbled shortcake
- Fresh mint, optional
Refrigerate until serving.
Bake the shortcake up to a day early and hold it airtight at room temperature. Macerate the berries the morning of. Assemble within a few hours of serving.
Chef Hale's Tips
Use local strawberries whenever you can. They are sweeter, and they make all the difference here.
Do not assemble more than a few hours ahead. The shortcake keeps a little texture that way.
Add a touch of lemon zest to the whipped cream for a bright summer finish.
These travel beautifully for cookouts, weddings, catering events, and backyard gatherings.
Every recipe in the bank is built and tested with Cangshan cutlery.