Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar Shortcake
This strawberry shortcake has a delicious balsamic vinegar twist.
It’s hard to believe that strawberries marinated in balsamic vinegar could taste so good.
But they really do.
The balsamic vinegar draws out and emphasizes the flavor of the strawberries.
And the natural juice of the strawberries blends nicely with the vinegar so that the end result is a delicious syrup-like sauce that forms into a strawberry marinade.
The taste gets even better when the strawberries and marinade are layered with pieces of angel food cake and then topped with whipped cream (in this recipe Cool Whip topping is used).
Every time I serve this shortcake to guests, they can’t get over how delicious the strawberries are and that it’s made with balsamic vinegar.
It’s always the topic of conversation when serving this dessert.
The vibrant color of the strawberries layered with the bright white cake and whipped topping is so pretty too.
It’s definitely an eye-catching dessert especially when served in a glass, transparent dessert dish, or a Mason jar.
In this recipe Extra Creamy Cool Whip topping is used but feel free to use fresh whipping cream instead if preferred.
Let’s check out the ingredients.
Strawberries, balsamic vinegar, prepared angel food cake, and Extra Creamy Cool Whip Topping (or your favorite whipped cream)…
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
A printable recipe with the measurements and instructions is located at the bottom of this post.
For the Marinated Strawberries:
Wash the strawberries, remove the stem and leaves.
Reserve 2 whole strawberries for garnish and set aside.
Cut the remaining strawberries in half widthwise.
For larger berries, cut them in half lengthwise before cutting them in half widthwise.
In a medium size bowl, add the strawberries…
…and balsamic vinegar.
Gently stir the strawberries and vinegar together.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to marinate the strawberries (more time works fine too depending on your schedule).
For the Shortcake:
Cut the angel food cake into bite-size cubes. There will be cake leftover.
Set aside for a moment.
Assembling the Shortcake – Gently stir the marinated strawberries.
To a glass, dessert dish, or mason jar…
…place a layer of the marinated strawberries.
Next…
…add a layer of angel food cake (pieces) to the glass.
Time for another layer of strawberries…
To the glass…
…add a layer of the marinated strawberries (including the marinade).
It’s especially delicious if the vinegar marinade is also spooned over the angel food cake along with the strawberries.
Finally, time for some Cool Whip…
…To the glass, add a layer of Cool Whip Topping.
TIP – When adding the Cool Whip inside of the glass, use 2 spoons; one that has the Cool Whip in it, and the other to scrape the Cool Whip off of the spoon and into the glass.
On top of the whipped topping…
…add another layer of angel food cake (pieces).
Then…
…add one more layer of strawberries…
…and right before serving, top with a dollop of Cool Whip Topping.
For the Garnish – Cut 2 strawberries in half lengthwise and use them for garnish on top of the Cool Whip.
Only 3 halves are needed for garnish since this recipe has 3 servings.
Serve right away.
Thank you so much for stopping by CCC!
Don’t miss a CCC recipe. Subscribe to Coupon Clipping Cook and get an email each time we have a new post. Here’s the link to subscribe to CCC.
Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar Shortcake
Ingredients
For the Marinated Strawberries:
- 1 container (16 ounces) fresh strawberries washed, stems and leaves removed
- 1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
For the Shortcake:
- Marinated strawberries
- 1 round or rectangle prepared Angel Food cake cut into bite size cubes (about 1/2 cup bite size cubes per serving); there will be cake leftover
- 1 container (8 ounces) Extra Creamy Cool Whip Topping (extra creamy is optional)
Instructions
For the Marinated Strawberries:
- Reserve 2 whole strawberries for garnish and set aside.Cut the remaining strawberries in half widthwise. For larger berries, cut them in half lengthwise before cutting them in half widthwise.
- In a medium size bowl, add the cut strawberries and balsamic vinegar. Gently stir together.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to marinate (more time works fine too depending on your schedule).
For the Shortcake:
- Assembling the Shortcake - Gently stir the marinated strawberries. To a glass, dessert dish, or mason jar, place a layer of the marinated strawberries. Then add a layer of angel food cake (pieces) to the glass.
- Add another layer of the marinated strawberries (including the marinade). It's especially delicious if the vinegar marinade is also spooned over the angel food cake along with the strawberries.
- To the glass, add a layer of Cool Whip topping. When adding the Cool Whip inside of the glass, use 2 spoons; one that has the Cool Whip in it, and the other to scrape the Cool Whip off of the spoon and into the glass.
- On top of the Cool Whip, add another layer of angel food cake (pieces). Add one more layer of strawberries.
- Right before serving, top with a dollop of Cool Whip topping.
- For the Garnish - Cut 2 strawberries in half lengthwise and use them for garnish on top of the Cool Whip. Only 3 halves are needed for garnish since this recipe has 3 servings.Serve right away.
Notes
TIP:
When adding the Cool Whip inside of the glass, use 2 spoons; one that has the Cool Whip in it, and the other to scrape the Cool Whip off of the spoon and into the glass.This recipe was originally posted on May 24, 2011.
Recipes with Strawberries
Here are more recipes with strawberries you may like “Sugar-Coated Skillet Biscuit Double Strawberry Shortcake“, “Strawberries and Whipped Cream with a Crunch” and “Yogurt Berry Pancake Rolls“.
Dessert Recipes
More Dessert Recipes You May Like:
Biscoff Cookie Butter Blondie Brownies
I love desserts in mason jars and this one is absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Vicki, thank you! Have a great week!
Your dessert looks very delicious. Yum Yum!!
Thank you!
I had a serious strawberry craving as I read this post. The photos are so beautiful, they look three dimensional! This idea is different, and I so appreciate the step-by-step picture directions.
Thanks for the beautiful post!
Alaiyo
Hi Alaiyo, thank you very much! I’m glad you liked it!
Definitely unexpected combination but it looks amazing!
Thank you Claire.
I always have the balsamic strawberries with vanilla ice cream ,it’s a fav at my house , I can imagine how it tastes your way , the pics look really good 🙂 .
Thank you very much! I haven’t had these strawberries with vanilla ice cream yet. I’m glad you mentioned it; I’m going to for sure try it.
Really wonderful! that’s the way we use in spain to make a strawberry macedonia. Our mother’s always used vinegar, not only modena but the most current one everyone used to have in their kitchen.
Excellent dessert!. Thanks.
Begoña
Thank you for mentioning how the strawberry macedonia is made. I’m going to google that dish and check it out. Have a nice weekend.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE strawberries! And balsamic vinegar! So, so good.
Never thought about putting them in mason jars though. What a wonderful gift idea!
Thank you Michelle.
Beautiful post– love the look of the mason jars! Very rustic. I have yet to try the strawberry and balsamic vinegar combination but lately I’ve been really wanting to. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Nicole, thank you!
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious! Perfect for summer berries and I LOVE food in jars! 🙂
Thank you Nikita!
First time I’ve seen the mason jars and absolutely love it! What a clever combination. It’s interesting because just last week I ran across a strawberry, balsamic, basil spritzer. I’d swap real whipped cream with a pinch of black pepper for the cool whip. Weird I know, but black pepper and strawberries…just a touch mind you, go nicely together.
Interesting…the combination of just a touch of black pepper with strawberries….I will for sure have to try that! Thank you!
The presentation is beautiful. I am still a little skeptical of the vinegar and strawberries, but one day I am sure I will be brave enough to try it.
In the mean time I think I will need to serve stuff up in mason jars…just a cute presentation.
Thank you Rachel, I completely understand your thoughts on the vinegar and strawberries…I felt the same way!
what a fun way to present this dish and so simple to prepare. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Vicki!
Very creative presentation. Thanks for sharing.
Never tried strawberries with vinegar. Looks tasty :P.
Kadri, after the strawberries marinade a bit in the balsamic vinegar you can really taste the strawberry flavor. The taste is something different. Thank you for your comment!
I have seen this mason jar presentation a few times now. I do not think I will ever tire of it. These look so good. I too was so surprised the first time I tasted balsamic strawberries at just how good they taste.
Strawberries and balsamic vinegar can make a perfect marriage… unbelievable!!! I have a few strawberries at home and I will try this soon…
Thank you Eftychia, I hope you like it!