Hello, Food Lovers! What dessert perfectly captures the taste of summer? For me, it’s a classic strawberry shortcake. But finding a truly great gluten free strawberry shortcake can be a real challenge. Too often, the “shortcake” is just a dry, crumbly biscuit that falls apart the second you look at it.
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This recipe is here to change all of that. It creates a wonderfully tender, sweet, and moist cake with a perfect crumb that is sturdy enough to hold juicy strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream, yet soft enough to melt in your mouth. This is the simple, no-fuss recipe that will bring the joy of a classic summer dessert back to your table.
A Little Story About This Dish
Strawberry shortcake has always been my family’s go-to dessert for the first official day of summer. I remember my grandma’s version with its giant, fluffy biscuits. After I went gluten-free, I really struggled to recreate that magic. My first few attempts at a gluten free strawberry shortcake were so disappointing—they were either too dense or simply disintegrated under the juicy berries.
I was ready to give up until I developed this simple, cake-style recipe. The first time I served these individual shortcakes, my family was silent. Then, my cousin, who is my toughest critic, looked up and said, “This is it. This tastes exactly like summer.” That was the highest compliment, and this perfect gluten free strawberry shortcake has been a beloved tradition ever since. Here are some other gluten-free meals you might enjoy preparing: Gluten-Free Pie Crust, Gluten-Free Street Corn Chicken Bowl.
Get Ready to Bake!
What to Expect
This is one of the easiest gluten free strawberry shortcake recipes you will ever make. This is not a dry, crumbly biscuit; it is a tender, moist, cake-style shortcake made in a standard cupcake pan. The one-bowl batter comes together in less than five minutes, and the cakes bake in under 20. It’s a wonderfully quick and simple way to create perfect individual desserts.
Before You Begin
For the most tender shortcakes, be careful not to overmix the batter. You should whisk the ingredients just until they are combined; a few small lumps are perfectly fine. Second, the magic of the strawberry topping comes from mashing the fresh berries. This releases their natural juices and creates a beautiful, fresh sauce without any cooking. Lastly, make sure you let the shortcakes cool before assembling so the whipped cream doesn’t melt.
The Best Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake: Tender, Sweet & So Easy
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 12 shortcakes 1x
Description
This gluten free strawberry shortcake recipe creates wonderfully tender, sweet, and moist cakes with a perfect crumb. They’re sturdy enough to hold juicy strawberries and whipped cream, yet soft enough to melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups gluten-free flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1)
⅔ cup sugar
2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
⅔ cup buttermilk
¼ cup oil (such as avocado or melted coconut oil)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
1 lb. fresh strawberries
Whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a standard 12-serving cupcake pan or line it with paper liners.
2. Mix the Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Whisk everything together just until the batter is combined. Do not overmix.
3. Bake the Shortcakes: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared cupcake wells, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Prepare the Topping: While the cakes bake, wash, stem, and slice the strawberries into a bowl. Use the back of a fork to gently mash some of the berries to release their natural juices. Cover and refrigerate.
5. Assemble and Serve: Once the shortcakes are cool, cut each one in half horizontally. Spoon the juicy strawberry topping over the bottom half, add a dollop of whipped cream, and place the top half on. Serve immediately.
Notes
Measure Flour Correctly: For the best texture, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. This prevents a dense, dry cake.
Oil Options: You can use avocado oil, melted and cooled coconut oil, or your favorite neutral-tasting oil. Melted and cooled butter can also be used for a richer flavor.
Dairy-Free Option: To make dairy-free, use a dairy-free milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of vinegar in place of the buttermilk, and serve with dairy-free whipped cream.
Storage: Store the unassembled shortcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 18
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shortcake
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
This easy gluten free strawberry shortcake recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a spectacular summer dessert.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Gluten-Free Flour Blend | 1 ¼ cups | A 1-to-1 blend like Bob’s Red Mill is perfect. |
| Sugar | ⅔ cup | For the sweet, tender cake. |
| Gluten-Free Baking Powder | 2 teaspoons | Gives the shortcakes a perfect lift. |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | Balances the sweetness. |
| Buttermilk | ⅔ cup | Or make a dairy-free version with non-dairy milk and vinegar. |
| Oil | ¼ cup | Avocado, coconut, or your favorite neutral oil works well. |
| Large Egg | 1 | |
| Gluten-Free Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon | |
| Fresh Strawberries | 1 lb. | The star of the show! |
| Whipped Cream | For topping | Use regular or a dairy-free alternative. |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create perfect individual shortcakes that are bursting with fresh flavor.
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
First, position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Then, prepare a 12-serving standard cupcake pan by either greasing it well or lining it with paper liners.
Step 2: Mix the One-Bowl Batter
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Now, pour the buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla directly into the same bowl. Whisk everything together just until the batter is smooth. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly fine.
Step 3: Bake the Shortcakes
Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake wells. You should fill them about two-thirds of the way to the top. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes. The shortcakes are done when they are lightly golden and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Create the Fresh Strawberry Topping
While the shortcakes bake, prepare your topping. Remove the stems from the strawberries, give them a good wash, and slice them into a bowl. Using the back of a fork, gently mash some of the berries. This simple step is the secret—it releases their natural juices and creates a delicious, fresh sauce without any cooking. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Once the shortcakes have cooled, it is time for the final, delicious step. Slice each shortcake in half horizontally. Place the bottom half on a plate, spoon a generous amount of the juicy strawberry topping over it, and add a dollop of whipped cream. Place the top half of the shortcake on the cream and add more strawberries and cream, if you desire. Your perfect gluten free strawberry shortcake is ready to be enjoyed.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
The secret to the tender crumb of this gluten free strawberry shortcake starts with how you measure your flour. Always use the “spoon and level” method: gently spoon the flour into your measuring cup, then level it off with a straight edge. This prevents a dense, heavy cake.
This recipe is wonderfully flexible when it comes to the oil. You can use avocado oil, melted and cooled coconut oil, or your other favorite neutral oil. For a richer flavor, you can even use melted and cooled butter.
To store your cooled, unassembled shortcakes, place them in an airtight container. They will stay perfectly moist and tender at room temperature for up to three days, ready for you to assemble whenever you crave a fresh dessert. Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Gluten-Free Sausage Rolls Recipe.
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Is strawberry shortcake gluten-free?
Traditional strawberry shortcake is not gluten-free because the shortcake biscuit or cake is made with wheat flour. To be gluten-free, a recipe must specifically use a gluten-free flour blend, just like this one does.
What is the difference between a biscuit and a cake for shortcake?
A biscuit-style shortcake is typically denser, flakier, and less sweet, similar to a scone. A cake-style shortcake, like the one in this recipe, is much lighter, moister, and sweeter, with a tender crumb similar to a cupcake. This cake style is fantastic at soaking up all the delicious strawberry juices.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely! This recipe is very easy to adapt for a dairy-free diet. Simply swap the buttermilk for a dairy-free alternative by mixing ⅔ cup of non-dairy milk (like almond or soy) with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. For the topping, just use your favorite dairy-free whipped cream.
Can I make this with other berries?
Of course! While strawberries are classic, this recipe is a perfect base for any seasonal fruit. A mix of fresh summer berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries would be delicious. In the summer, peaches are also a fantastic choice.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are now ready to whip up a batch of what is sure to become your new favorite summer dessert. This recipe proves that you never have to sacrifice a moist, tender texture for a treat that is easy to make.
This is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of fresh, seasonal flavors. Go ahead and bake a batch, and get ready to enjoy the most perfect gluten free strawberry shortcake you have ever had.
To find more gluten-free recipes, be sure to connect with me on Facebook and Pinterest.