Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar Shortcake
A delicious balsamic vinegar twist on a classic.
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.
A fun and pretty way to serve this shortcake is in Mason jars.
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“.
Let’s check out the ingredients.
Strawberries, balsamic vinegar and Cool Whip Topping (or your favorite whipped cream)…
…pre-made angel food cake (about 3/4 of the cake)
A printable recipe with the measurements and instructions is located at the bottom of this post.
Here’s how to make it.
For the Marinated Strawberries:
Wash the strawberries, remove the stem and leaves, and slice them into thirds.
In a medium size bowl, add the strawberries and balsamic vinegar.
Gently stir the strawberries and vinegar together.
Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to marinate (less or more time works fine too depending on your schedule).
For the Shortcake:
Tear the angel food cake into bite-size pieces.
In the bottom of serving containers (Mason jars or dessert dishes), place one layer of the angel food cake (pieces).
Next…
…top with 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.
Next, add a layer of Cool Whip topping.
Spoon this in carefully so it doesn’t smudge on the side of the Mason jar or serving dish.
Next, add another layer of angel food cake.
The cake can be pushed down a little bit in the serving dish to get rid of any gaps that may form in between the strawberries and the Cool Whip.
Add another layer of marinated strawberries.
Right before serving, add the last layer of Cool Whip.
After the last layer of Cool Whip, time to dig in. It’s SO good.
Thank you so much for stopping by CCC!
More Dessert Recipes You May Like:
Biscoff Cookie Butter Blondie Brownies
Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake with Lemon Glaze
Chocolate on Chocolate Dessert in a Glass
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Ingredients
For the Marinated Strawberries:
- 2 containers (16 ounces each) fresh strawberries washed, stems and leave removed, cut into thirds
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
For the Shortcake:
- Marinated strawberries
- 1 round or rectangle prepared Angel Food cake tear into bite-size pieces (about 1-inch size pieces)
- 1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip Topping
Instructions
For the Marinated Strawberries:
- In a medium size bowl, add the strawberries and balsamic vinegar. Gently stir together.
- Cover with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 2 hours to marinate (less or more time works fine too depending on your schedule).
For the Shortcake:
- In the bottom of serving containers (mason jars or dessert dishes) place one layer of angel food cake (pieces).
- Top with 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.
- Add a layer of Cool Whip topping. Spoon this in carefully so that it doesn’t smudge on the side of the Mason jar or serving dish.
- Next, add another layer of the angel food cake. The cake can be pushed down a little bit in the serving dish to get rid of any gaps that may form in between the strawberries and Cool Whip.
- Add another layer of marinated strawberries.
- Right before serving, add the last layer of Cool Whip.
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!
Those mason jars look GORGEOUS! Talk about a treat that screams romantic night in. Company doesn’t even need to be invited – I would just spend one-on-one time with the strawberries by myself!
– Cassandra from The Dirty Girls Kitchen
Hi Cassandra, thank you very much!
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!