Description
Fall in love at first bite with these *Valentine’s Strawberry Shortcake Cups*! This easy recipe layers crumbled vanilla cake, sweet macerated strawberries, and a creamy strawberry mousse, all topped with a swirl of whipped cream and heart-shaped cookie. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for romantic dinners, sweet brunches, or whenever you want to impress without turning on the oven. Whether you’re looking for quick breakfast ideas, healthy-ish sweet treats, or a beautiful dessert for a party, these pretty layered cups check every box—easy recipe, eye-catching, and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
1 prepared vanilla sponge cake or pound cake
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup strawberry puree
pink food coloring (optional)
heart-shaped cookies or sugar decorations (optional)
pink sprinkles for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Wash and slice the strawberries. Add granulated sugar and let sit for 15–20 minutes.
2. In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add strawberry puree and mix well.
3. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold whipped cream into the strawberry-cream cheese mixture. Chill the mousse.
5. Crumble or cube the vanilla cake into bite-sized pieces.
6. Layer ingredients in cups: cake, mousse, strawberries. Repeat layers.
7. Add vertical strawberry slices to the inner rim for visual appeal.
8. Pipe whipped cream on top using a star tip.
9. Garnish with heart cookie and sprinkles.
10. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Chill your mixing bowl before whipping the cream to help it form stiff peaks faster.
For a richer texture, substitute half of the cream cheese with mascarpone.
Assemble the dessert up to a day ahead, but wait to add toppings before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: easy recipe, Valentine's dessert, strawberry shortcake cups, no bake dessert, individual desserts