The Ultimate Strawberry Shortcake

The Ultimate Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake is a summer favorite in our home! There's lots of different versions we love, but this one is next level! Bake my Lemon Coconut Bread and use a big fat slice for the base of your Strawberry Shortcake! This sweet bread is super rich, almost like a pound cake! Topped with real cream and fresh strawberries, this version is the ultimate!

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Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 1 30

Servings: servings (2 large Lemon loaves or 4 mini lemon loaves)

Ingredients

For the bread:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups unsalted butter room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
the zest of 2 lemons
6 eggs room temperature
½ cup sour cream room temperature
⅓ cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 Tablespoons milk
the zest of 1 lemon
1 cup unsweetened coconut shavings

Topping:

1 pint heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 lb sliced strawberries
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Optional: 1 teaspoon finely sliced fresh basil or fresh mint

Instructions

Start by making the Lemon Coconut Bread:

Preheat oven to 350° F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar for two minutes until fluffy, using the paddle attachment. Stop halfway through to scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and return to mixing. Be sure there are no clumps of unmixed butter.
Add the lemon zest and combine.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
Add the sour cream, lemon juice and vanilla. Mix until combined. (Mixture may separate a bit, but it will come together when flour is added)
Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Stop the mixer, scrape the sides and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula and mix for another 10 seconds. Try to avoid over-mixing.
Grease loaf pans generously with nonstick spray. Spoon batter into pans, filling no more than two-thirds full.
Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out mostly clean with only a few crumbs. Mini loaf sizes will need less bake time (closer to 45 minutes). Full size loaves will need more bake time (closer to 60 minutes). All ovens bake differently so be sure to keep an eye on it.
Let bread cool in the pans for 30 minutes before removing and cooling completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the glaze by combining the powdered sugar, milk and lemon zest. Add more powdered sugar or milk to get a thick consistency.
Drizzle over loaves after they have completely cooled. Sprinkle coconut shavings on top before glaze hardens. The glaze should set up and harden in about 30 minutes.

Prepare the Toppings:

With an electric mixer, beat the whipping cream, vanilla extract and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
In a separate bowl, combine the sliced strawberries and granulated sugar. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. The sugar will macerate the strawberries, softening them and forming a sweet syrup!

Building your Strawberry Shortcake:

Slice a thick piece of Lemon Coconut Bread and place in bowl.
Top with prepared Whipped Cream.
Top with macerated Strawberries. *If desired, add sliced fresh basil or fresh mint to the strawberries, just before serving – this gives the strawberries a fresh-from-the-garden flavor!
Enjoy the Ultimate Strawberry Shortcake!

Notes

Each oven bakes differently. When making this recipe for the first few times, check the bread about 10 minutes before suggested bake time. Rotate pans if oven is baking with hot spots. Cover loosely with foil if bread is browning too much before it's baked all the way through - this will prevent it from browning too much while it continues the bake the center. I use my convection oven for baking and it usually browns it just perfectly, while baking all the way through.
You can freeze loaves for later use. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in zip top freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Freeze before glazing. When thawing out the loaves, take them out of the freezer the night before and let thaw on counter. Glaze about 30-60 minutes before serving.
You can also freeze lemon zest for up to 3 months. I like to freeze lots of zest when lemons are in season and use for later!

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