Chocolate Chip Strawberry Shortcake

I’m trying to think if I know anyone who doesn’t like strawberry shortcake, and I really can’t think of a single person. I mean, in terms of universal desserts, you can’t do much better than strawberry shortcake. Sweet cake, ripe strawberries, and – everyone’s favorite part – lots of whipped cream. Remember those little spongy cake cups that you could buy at the supermarket, strategically positioned right next to the strawberries during the summer? We’d each get our own little cake cup, fill it up with sliced strawberries, and squeeze copious amounts of whipped cream on top, occasionally pausing to squirt some directly into our mouths. Why do kids get such a giddy thrill out of squirting whipped cream directly into their mouths? It’s so gross, yet I don’t stop my kids from doing it, as I honestly believe it means too much to them. This Chocolate Chip Strawberry Shortcake doesn’t skimp on the whipped cream, except there’s no fun whipped cream can involved. Sorry kids.

How to make Chocolate Chip Strawberry Shortcake

Start by making the chocolate chip cake layers. Now, I know that chocolate isn’t something you’d expect to see in a traditional strawberry shortcake, but the chocolate in this cake just works. Think along the lines of a chocolate-covered strawberry. Chocolate makes almost everything better, and it’s definitely the case here. It’s more of a supporting actor while strawberries still play the leading role. That’s why it’s important to use mini chips, because you don’t want to overpower the strawberries or the delicate vanilla cake.

The cake itself is a basic vanilla cake recipe. It’s light and sweet and great for making lots of layers. I like to gently shave off the outer edges of the cake so that you can see the chocolate chips better, but you don’t have to do that. Just be sure to let the cake layers cool completely before assembling the big event.

Making homemade strawberry jam

While the cakes are baking, make the strawberry jam. The jam may just be my favorite part of this cake, because I’m someone who needs strawberry in every single bite when I’m eating strawberry shortcake. This jam is sweet and bursting with ripe berry flavor, and is a delicious complement to the chocolate-studded cake.

Simply cook fresh strawberries in a saucepan with sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Cook them over low heat, and in 15-20 minutes you’ll have a syrupy mixture that’s perfecting for slathering on each layer of cake.

Making the whipped cream for this Strawberry Shortcake

Making your own whipped cream is a no brainer. It’s just too easy. It’s actually the easiest part of this Chocolate Chip Strawberry Shortcake. And swirled with fresh strawberry puree, you’ll have a pink-tinted cream that is picture perfect.

Whenever I make whipped cream, I find the biggest mixing bowl I have. Then I put it down into my kitchen sink. Using a bowl bigger than you think you need and keeping it in the sink will help reduce the inevitable splatter that occurs when you start beating it with a hand mixer. It takes about 8-10 minutes of beating the heavy cream and sugar on high speed before you get the stiff peaks, so be patient.

Then, puree some of the fresh strawberries in a blender (the rest will be sliced and arranged on the cake). Gently swirl the strawberry puree through the whipped cream. The color is so pretty!

Take your time and go slowly when assembling this cake. It’s also a good idea to assemble it in the same place where you plan to serve it. The end result will be beautiful, and something you will be proud of.

While this Chocolate Chip Strawberry Shortcake might take a little more effort than the supermarket cake cups, I promise it’s worth it. Just make sure to save some of the whipped cream for the kids to lick out of the bowl. Or maybe just buy them a can of whipped cream anyway. It’s summer, why not? Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Strawberry Shortcake

The classic summer dessert gets an upgrade with chocolate chip-studded cake and strawberry-swirled cream

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Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Ingredients

  

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The Cake (makes 3 layers)

• 3 sticks unsalted butter
• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups miniature chocolate chips
• 2 1/4 cups sliced strawberries

The Jam

• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

The Whipped Cream

• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 8 oz. sliced strawberries

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. With the mixer on low speed, pour the flour mixture in, alternating with the milk, until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Spray three 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Divide the batter evenly between cake pans and bake 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.
• To make the jam, bring the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice to a boil in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat to medium-low and allow to cook down, smashing the strawberries with a wooden spoon. It will thicken in about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat. It will continue to thicken off heat.
• To make the whipped cream, first puree the strawberries in a blender until smooth. It should yield 1/2 cup of puree. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer on high speed, whip the cream and sugar together until stiff peaks form, about 10-12 minutes. Beat in the strawberry puree.
• To assemble the cake, spread a layer of jam onto the first layer of cake, followed by 3/4 cup of sliced strawberries. Top with whipped cream. Repeat for the second layer of cake. For the top layer, spread the jam, followed by the whipped cream and arrange the final 3/4 cup of sliced strawberries on top. Garnish with additional mini chocolate chips.

Keyword cake, dessert, summer

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