Decadent Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake: An Easy & Romantic Dessert for Two

Just when you thought the classic strawberry shortcake couldn’t get any better, it does – with the addition of rich, indulgent chocolate! This Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake recipe elevates a beloved dessert by featuring tender, homemade chocolate shortcake biscuits, generously layered with sweet, fresh strawberries and a dollop of velvety whipped cream. Perfectly scaled for two, this romantic chocolate strawberry dessert is an ideal treat for an intimate date night at home or a delightful indulgence for yourself.

As a passionate creator of recipes, my mind is a whirlwind of culinary ideas. I maintain an extensive list of concepts, meticulously organized in notebooks, planners, and even on random scraps of paper that accompany me on my travels. Some ideas might never see the light of day, while others have captivating titles but require extensive experimentation to bring to life. I recall sharing some of these ambitious notions with a friend, who, with a curious eyebrow raised, asked, “Oh, how will that work?” My answer? “Too early to tell, friend. Too early to tell.” While I know I’ll never conquer every single idea on that ever-growing list, it’s the thrill of the creative process that keeps me going.

The concept for this particular Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake recipe has been simmering for several years, especially after the delightful experience of crafting caramel apple shortcakes for fall. The question lingered: What magical transformation would occur if rich cocoa powder and delectable chocolate chips were introduced to traditional shortcake biscuits? The answer, I discovered, is pure bliss. The subtle bitterness of cocoa perfectly complements the sweetness of strawberries, creating a dessert that feels both familiar and excitingly new.

The Choice: Biscuits vs. Cake for Your Shortcake

When it comes to crafting strawberry shortcake, bakers typically choose between two primary foundations: light, fluffy biscuits or tender sponge cake. While both offer a wonderful base, I opted for the rustic charm and flaky texture of homemade biscuits for my chocolate strawberry rendition. These tender chocolate shortcake biscuits are baked from scratch, providing a satisfying crumb that beautifully soaks up the strawberry juices and cream. This choice offers a more traditional, comforting experience, contrasting wonderfully with the fresh, vibrant fruit and airy cream. For those who prefer a cake-based dessert, there are numerous delicious alternatives, but for a true shortcake experience, biscuits are king.

To complete this delightful dessert, I’ve paired my rich chocolate biscuits with an abundance of fresh, juicy strawberries and a generous swirl of homemade whipped cream. The entire recipe is specifically designed as a small batch dessert for two, making it an ideal candidate for a romantic dessert for two to cap off a special date night. Alternatively, embrace your inner dessert connoisseur and enjoy these on the couch, perhaps with a furry friend, proving that no date is required to savor such a divine treat.

Understanding that summer often brings soaring temperatures, I’ve included detailed instructions for baking your chocolate shortcake biscuits in both a conventional oven and an air fryer. This flexibility ensures you can satisfy your craving for this exquisite strawberry shortcake for two without overheating your kitchen. Enjoy a cool kitchen and a warm, fresh dessert, no matter the weather!

Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

Crafting the perfect chocolate shortcake with strawberries requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that tender, flaky, and flavorful result. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is so important:

• All-Purpose Flour: This foundational ingredient provides the necessary structure for the biscuit dough, ensuring it’s not overly sticky and bakes up with the ideal crumb. It’s the backbone of your tender shortcakes.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The star of the show for our chocolate twist! Cocoa powder imparts a deep, rich chocolate flavor to the biscuits without making them overly sweet, providing a wonderful contrast to the fresh berries.
• Granulated Sugar: Used in both the biscuit dough for subtle sweetness and with the strawberries to help them macerate, releasing their natural juices and intensifying their flavor.
• Baking Powder: This leavening agent is critical for giving the biscuits their characteristic rise and contributing to their light, tender texture. It reacts when wet and with heat, creating airy pockets.
• Table Salt: A small but mighty ingredient, salt doesn’t just add flavor; it enhances all the other flavors in the biscuit, making the chocolate richer and the overall taste more balanced.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: The secret to flaky biscuits! Using cold butter means it remains solid until it hits the heat of the oven. As it melts, it releases steam, which creates distinct, airy layers in the biscuits. Unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content in the recipe.
• Cold Heavy Whipping Cream: Opting for heavy cream over regular milk is key. Its high-fat content adds incredible richness, moistness, and tenderness to the dough, resulting in a superior biscuit texture. Using it cold is important to keep the butter firm.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These little gems melt into pockets of pure chocolatey goodness within the warm biscuits, offering delightful bursts of flavor and texture that truly make this a chocolate shortcake.
• Fresh Strawberries: The quintessential partner to shortcake. When combined with a touch of sugar, these berries transform into a juicy, flavorful topping, which is achieved through a technique called macerating (more on this below).
• Homemade Whipped Cream: Whether you choose to whip your own or opt for store-bought, the light, airy texture and delicate sweetness of whipped cream provide a perfect counterpoint to the rich chocolate biscuits and tart berries, balancing the entire dessert.

What is Macerating and Why is it Essential for Shortcake?

To prepare the perfect strawberries for your shortcake, you employ a simple yet transformative technique known as macerating. Macerating is the process of softening food by soaking it in a liquid, often enhanced by sugar. In the context of these fresh strawberries, you coat them lightly in granulated sugar. This sugar then draws out the natural moisture and juices from the berries through osmosis.

As the strawberries sit in their own freshly released juices, they become softer, sweeter, and incredibly flavorful. You’ll want to let them sit for at least 30 minutes, allowing enough time for the juices to form and the berries to tenderize. However, don’t hesitate to let them sit longer – the extended time will only result in even softer, more intensely flavored berries and a richer “sauce.”

Once you’re ready to assemble and serve, these natural, syrupy juices act as a delicious strawberry sauce, perfect for spooning generously over your chocolate shortcake. If fresh berries aren’t available or you’re looking for an alternative, you can also use strawberry jam without pectin or a good quality strawberry pie filling.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

Let’s dive into the simple steps to create your irresistibly delicious strawberry shortcake with a rich chocolate twist. Follow these instructions carefully for the best results:

1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
2. Cut in Cold Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to your dry mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. This step is crucial for achieving a flaky texture.
3. Form the Dough: Pour in the cold heavy cream and stir with a fork until a shaggy dough begins to form. Then, fold in the semisweet chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until the ingredients are incorporated.
4. Lightly Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough just a few times, enough to bring it together into a cohesive ball. Overworking the dough can lead to tough biscuits.
5. Roll and Cut Biscuits: Roll the dough out to an approximate 1-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out two perfect circles. If you have enough scraps, you can gently reform and cut one smaller biscuit. Brush the tops of the biscuits with a little extra heavy cream for a golden finish.
6. Bake to Perfection: Place your biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-17 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the edges feel firm. For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for about 10 minutes, checking for doneness. Allow the biscuits to cool completely before assembly.
7. Macerate Strawberries: While the biscuits cool, prepare your strawberries. In a medium bowl, gently mix the sliced strawberries with the remaining granulated sugar. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or longer, until their natural juices have formed a lovely syrup and the berries have softened.
8. Assemble and Serve: Once the biscuits are cool, carefully slice each one in half horizontally. Layer the bottom half generously with the macerated strawberries, ensuring to spoon some of the flavorful juices over them, and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Top with the remaining biscuit half. Serve immediately for the best experience!

These homemade chocolate biscuits are truly best enjoyed on the day they are made, offering optimal freshness and texture. However, if you have leftovers (before assembly), they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The strawberries and whipped cream should be stored separately in the refrigerator.

Can You Make Strawberry Shortcake with Cake Instead of Biscuits?

While I chose to go with the more traditional, rustic approach of biscuits for this recipe, many delightful strawberry shortcake variations feature a cake base. If you’re specifically craving an actual sponge cake or a different cake-style dessert, I highly recommend exploring some of my other popular strawberry recipes:

• For a grander presentation, check out my Strawberry Shortcake Cake, a beautiful layered dessert perfect for gatherings.
• If you prefer individual servings, my Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes offer a charming and equally delicious alternative.
• And for a creamy, decadent twist, don’t miss the Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake, which combines two beloved desserts into one unforgettable treat.

Each of these offers a unique take on the strawberry shortcake concept, proving the versatility of this beloved flavor combination.

Elevating Your Shortcake: The Art of Whipped Cream

No strawberry shortcake is truly complete without a generous dollop of luscious whipped cream. While store-bought options are convenient, making whipped cream from scratch offers a superior flavor and texture that truly enhances this dessert. I’ve opted for traditional vanilla whipped cream in this recipe, as its delicate flavor allows the chocolate and strawberry to shine. However, the beauty of homemade whipped cream lies in its adaptability. You can easily experiment with different flavor combinations to perfectly complement your chocolate strawberry shortcake:

• Chocolate Whipped Cream: For the ultimate indulgence, a double dose of chocolate will elevate this dessert to new heights of decadence.
• Strawberry Whipped Cream: To emphasize the berry notes, a strawberry-infused cream provides a vibrant, fruity counterpoint, creating a delightful double-berry experience.
• Maple Whipped Cream: A touch of maple syrup adds a unique, warm sweetness that pairs surprisingly well with chocolate and berries, offering a gourmet touch.
• Cream Cheese Whipped Cream: For those who enjoy a subtle tang, cream cheese whipped cream adds a delightful richness and a slight tartness that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
• Honey Whipped Cream: Infusing your cream with honey introduces a delicate floral note and a natural sweetness that harmonizes wonderfully with fresh fruit.

Explore More Berry Delicious Strawberry Desserts

If you find yourself with an abundance of fresh strawberries after making this shortcake, or simply can’t get enough of this vibrant fruit, don’t let them go to waste! Strawberries are incredibly versatile and can be used in a myriad of delightful desserts. Here are some more berry delicious strawberry recipes to inspire your next baking adventure:

• Strawberry Cobbler: A comforting, warm dessert with a sweet biscuit topping.
• Chocolate Strawberry Brownies: A fudgy brownie base crowned with fresh strawberries and chocolate.
• Strawberry Popsicles: A refreshing and healthy treat perfect for hot days.
• Strawberry Ice Cream: Creamy, dreamy homemade ice cream bursting with strawberry flavor.
• Mini Strawberry Pies: Adorable individual pies filled with sweet strawberry goodness.

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

Yield:
2 shortcakes

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
17 minutes

Total Time:
47 minutes

Just when you thought strawberry shortcake couldn’t get any better, it does with chocolate! Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake is tender chocolate shortcake biscuits made from scratch then layered with fresh strawberries and velvety whipped cream, perfect for a romantic dessert for two.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 3 pieces
• 1/2 cup cold heavy whipping cream, divided
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• Homemade Whipped Cream (get recipe here)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   Alternatively, lightly grease an air fryer basket. No need to preheat for air fryer.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of sugar, baking powder, and salt. With a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some small, pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
3. Set aside 1 teaspoon of heavy cream for brushing. Add the remaining heavy cream into the butter mixture and stir with a fork until a shaggy dough begins to form. Gently stir in the chocolate chips until just combined.
4. Lightly knead the dough a few times in the bowl to bring it together, then transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out to approximately 1-inch thick. Using a 3-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out two circles and place them on the prepared baking sheet. If there are enough scraps, you can gently reshape and cut into a smaller third biscuit.
5. Brush the tops of the biscuits with the reserved 1 teaspoon of cream. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the edges feel firm. Cool completely before layering.

   Alternatively, air fry the biscuits at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, checking for doneness.

6. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix together the sliced strawberries and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let this mixture sit for at least 30 minutes (or longer) at room temperature until juices form and the berries soften through maceration.
7. To serve, carefully cut each cooled biscuit in half horizontally. Top the bottom half with a generous amount of macerated strawberries, ensuring to spoon some of the flavorful strawberry juices over them, and a dollop of homemade whipped cream. Place the remaining biscuit half on top. Drizzle with more strawberry juices if desired and serve immediately.

   Chocolate biscuits are best eaten the day they’re made. Store any un-assembled leftovers (biscuits only) at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Notes

• You can also serve these shortcakes with chocolate whipped cream for an extra decadent treat or strawberry whipped cream for an enhanced berry flavor.
• Instead of fresh strawberries, you can use strawberry sauce, strawberry pie filling, or strawberry jam without pectin for a quick and easy alternative.

Recommended Products

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• Pastry Cutter
• Biscuit Cutters

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This Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The rich, tender chocolate biscuits provide a surprising depth of flavor that perfectly complements the bright, sweet-tartness of macerated strawberries and the lightness of homemade whipped cream. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a quiet night in, or simply treating yourself, this easy-to-make, small-batch recipe delivers a truly unforgettable indulgence. Don’t hesitate to try this delightful twist on a classic – your taste buds will thank you!

First published June 12, 2017