This strawberry shortcake has a delicious balsamic vinegar twist.

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake

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.

Strawberry Balsamic Shortcake

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.

Strawberry Shortcake 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:

Cut Strawberries on Board

Cut Strawberries on Board

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.

Cut Strawberries in Bowl

In a medium size bowl, add the strawberries

Add balsamic vinegar on strawberries

…and balsamic vinegar.

Strawberries and balsamic vinegar

Gently stir the strawberries and vinegar together.

Balsamic Strawberries in Bowl

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:

Angel food cake on board

Cut pieces of angel food cake

Cut the angel food cake into bite-size cubes. There will be cake leftover.

Set aside for a moment.

Add strawberries to glass

Assembling the Shortcake – Gently stir the marinated strawberries.

To a glass, dessert dish, or mason jar…

Add marinated strawberries to glass

…place a layer of the marinated strawberries.

Marinated strawberries in glass

Next…

Add angel food cake to glass

Add angel food cake to glass

Add angel food cake to glass

…add a layer of angel food cake (pieces) to the glass.

Layer of angel food cake in glass

Time for another layer of strawberries…

Add strawberries to a glass

To the glass…

Add strawberries to a glass

…add a layer of the marinated strawberries (including the marinade).

Strawberries and cake in glass

It’s especially delicious if the vinegar marinade is also spooned over the angel food cake along with the strawberries.

Spoon in Cool Whip Topping

Finally, time for some Cool Whip…

Add whipped cream to berries

…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.

Add angel food cake to dessert

On top of the whipped topping…

Add angel food cake on dessert

Strawberry Shortcake in a Glass

…add another layer of angel food cake (pieces).

Add strawberries to whipped cream

Then…

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake in Glass

…add one more layer of strawberries…

Cool Whip Topping on Dessert

…and right before serving, top with a dollop of Cool Whip Topping.

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake

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.

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake

Serve right away.

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake on Spoon

Bite of Strawberry Shortcake

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Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar Shortcake

A delicious balsamic vinegar twist on a classic dessert
5 from 2 votes

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.

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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“.

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