Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
I’ll never forget the first time I made strawberry shortcake cups. It was a sunny spring afternoon, and I wanted something light, fun, and perfect for sharing with friends. I had fresh, juicy strawberries sitting in my fridge, and I wanted a dessert that felt indulgent but still simple. That’s when the idea of Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Cups came to me individual little cups that were easy to serve, gorgeous to look at, and full of sweet, comforting flavor.
These cups quickly became a favorite for brunches, tea parties, and family weekends. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s both gluten free and incredibly versatile. You can layer them with whipped cream, custard, or even a vegan cream alternative. The combination of tender shortcake, fresh strawberries, and a touch of sweetness is just irresistible. Every bite feels like a hug.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
There’s a special joy in making desserts that are visually appealing and easy to serve. I love how these Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Cups bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Each cup is a perfect portion, making them ideal for entertaining or gifting.
I also love the texture contrast the soft, crumbly shortcake paired with juicy strawberries and fluffy whipped cream. It’s playful and indulgent without being heavy. The recipe is forgiving, too. Even if your shortcake is slightly uneven or your strawberries vary in size, the layers come together beautifully. Plus, the aroma of baked shortcake fills the kitchen with warmth and nostalgia, reminding me of childhood afternoons spent in my grandmother’s kitchen.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s what you’ll need for about 6–8 strawberry shortcake cups:
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour blend
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for strawberries)
- 1 cup whipped cream or coconut whipped cream
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish
Little Kitchen Secrets:
- Cold Butter: Use cold, cubed butter for the shortcake to create a light, crumbly texture.
- Sugar for Strawberries: Toss the strawberries in sugar at least 15 minutes before assembling. This draws out their natural juices, making the cups juicy and flavorful.
- Layer Carefully: Use a spoon to layer shortcake, strawberries, and whipped cream gently to maintain the cup structure.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together gluten free flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in milk and vanilla extract until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Divide dough into 6–8 equal portions and place them on the baking tray. Gently flatten slightly to form shortcake rounds.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely.
- While the shortcakes cool, toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Once cooled, crumble or slice the shortcakes and start layering: a base of shortcake, a layer of strawberries, then a dollop of whipped cream. Repeat if your cups are deep.
- Garnish with extra strawberries and optional mint leaves. Serve immediately or chill briefly before serving.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving these cups in small glass jars or clear cups so you can see the beautiful layers. They’re perfect for a family brunch or a tea party with friends. Kids love them because they can hold their own cup and dig in. Adults appreciate the combination of sweet, fresh strawberries and buttery shortcake.
Sometimes I drizzle a little strawberry syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra charm. Pair with a cup of tea or coffee, and you have a delightful, comforting dessert that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to make.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Room Temperature: Shortcake cups are best eaten immediately, but you can store assembled cups in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Separate Components: For longer storage, keep shortcakes, strawberries, and whipped cream separate. Assemble just before serving.
- Freezing: Shortcakes can be baked in advance and frozen. Thaw at room temperature before assembling cups.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare shortcakes a day ahead and slice strawberries in advance. This makes assembly quick and stress-free.
100-Word Short Version
These Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Cups are simple, sweet, and perfect for sharing. Tender, crumbly shortcakes meet juicy, sugar-tossed strawberries and fluffy whipped cream in individual cups, making them ideal for brunch, tea parties, or dessert. Use cold butter for the shortcakes, sweeten strawberries ahead of time, and layer carefully to keep beautiful cups. Optional mint leaves add a fresh touch. Serve immediately for best results, or prepare components ahead and assemble when ready. These gluten free cups are easy, fun, and comforting every bite is a little moment of happiness, perfect for family or friends.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
📝 Notes
- Use cold butter for light, crumbly shortcakes.
- Assemble cups just before serving for best texture.
- Store components separately for up to 24 hours.
🍽️ Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 220
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Cups
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Cups are tender, sweet, and perfect for sharing. Individual cups layered with buttery gluten free shortcake, juicy sugar-tossed strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream make a simple, elegant dessert. Perfect for brunch, tea parties, or family gatherings, these cups are visually appealing, easy to serve, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour blend
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for strawberries)
- 1 cup whipped cream or coconut whipped cream
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in milk and vanilla until dough just forms.
- Divide into 6–8 portions, flatten slightly, and bake 18–22 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
- Toss strawberries with sugar and let sit 15 minutes.
- Layer shortcake, strawberries, and whipped cream in cups. Repeat layers if deep.
- Garnish with extra strawberries and mint. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use cold butter for light, crumbly shortcakes. Assemble cups just before serving for best texture. Store components separately for up to 24 hours. You can substitute dairy-free whipped cream if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Conclusion
Making these Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Cups always brings joy into my kitchen. They’re fun to assemble, beautiful to serve, and every bite is a comforting blend of sweet strawberries and tender shortcake. I hope this recipe inspires you to create your own sweet moments and share them with family or friends. Baking is not just about ingredients it’s about love, laughter, and memories served in every bite.