It’s summer and strawberry shortcake is on everyone’s minds! This one is extra special made with a strawberry balsamic reduction and a hint of lemon. Balsamic Strawberry Lemon Shortcake will have you all raving!
You guys! I am so excited to tell you about a partnership that we have entered into with Queen Creek Olive Mill, the coolest destination olive mill in Arizona. If you haven’t been to Queen Creek Olive Mill or used one of their products, let me just say, prepare to be amazed. I discovered this awesome place while visiting my in-laws a few years ago. I was amazed by both the quality and the sheer selection of their olive oils and vinegars. So much goodness! So many ideas for great foodie creations! Like this fun take on strawberry shortcake, Balsamic Strawberry Lemon Shortcake!
I’m obligated to let you know we are being compensated for this post, but trust me, both Holly and I were using Queen Creek Olive Mill’s products loooonnnng before our sponsorship so don’t worry, all of these views are completely are own! The good news is, we are partnering for a few posts in the future, so you will be seeing this awesome company again. (You might want to check them out, hint, hint!).
If you live in Arizona or are visiting there any time soon, this is a place you’ll want to visit. It’s well worth the 45 minute trip from Phoenix. It is beautiful and so quaint and there is often live music. They serve great food and wine and have a gorgeous, relaxing patio complete with olive trees and twinkle lights (My advice: don’t skip the Blood Orange Olive Oil cupcake-just trust me on this one)!
If you’re not in Arizona right now, you can pretend! Pull up a chair, grab a glass of wine and settle in…
Now let’s talk about what to do with the bounty you will bring home from this fabulous place! Holly and I chose Meyer Lemon Olive Oil and Strawberry Balsamic Reduction to create our first Queen Creek Inspired post. We had talked a lot about baking and spring and citrus and dreamy whipped cream…which led to strawberry…and after some more daydreaming, this Balsamic Strawberry Lemon Shortcake was born.
Turns out these ingredients invoke all of the feels in us!
This strawberry shortcake inspired dessert has it all. A sweet lemon flavored shortcake. Tangy balsamic strawberries. And don’t forget the creamy strawberry balsamic whipped cream. Ah, the strawberry balsamic whipped cream-I will neither confirm nor deny whether I have eaten this directly with a spoon. And those of you who know me, know the answer to that!
Turns out that using olive oil for baking lends a great texture to the shortcakes! The lemon flavoring in the oil complements the lemon zest to give a soft lemon flavor. The Lemon Shortcakes can be eaten as a snack on their own (just ask my 6 year old who is constantly asking me to make these!). The Balsamic Strawberries would also be great served over ice cream or Angel Food Cake. And the Strawberry Balsamic Whipped Cream would be perfect eaten on top of just about anything.
This recipe is a quick, easy, twist on strawberry shortcake, and makes enough to serve 4 so you probably won’t have to worry about storing any leftovers! Feel free to double this recipe or even triple it if you have friends coming over. They will thank you!
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Balsamic Strawberry Lemon Shortcake
Ingredients
- Shortcakes:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar + more for garnish
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup Queen Creek Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest + more for garnish
- Strawberries:
- 16 ounce carton of strawberries sliced into bite sized pieces
- 1 Tablespoon Queen Creek Strawberry Balsamic Reduction
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- Strawberry Balsamic Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Queen Creek Strawberry Balsamic Reduction
Instructions
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To make the Lemon Shortcakes:
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Preheat oven to 425ºF.
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In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
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Add buttermilk, olive oil and lemon zest and stir to combine.
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Split dough into 4 sections.
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Form into thick circles.
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Place circles on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Place them so that they are almost touching.
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Sprinkle with sugar.
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Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are beginning to brown.
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Allow shortcakes to cool before removing from baking sheet.
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To make the Balsamic Strawberries:
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In a medium bowl, mix strawberries, sugar and strawberry balsamic reduction.
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Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes or until ready to assemble shortcakes.
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To make Strawberry Balsamic Whipped Cream:
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Start by placing mixing bowl and whisk into the freezer to cool (I use my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer bowl and the whisk attachment for this).
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Once equipment has been thoroughly chilled (at least 10 minutes), add cream, sugar and strawberry balsamic reduction to bowl and whisk on highest speed until peaks form, approximately 2-3 minutes.
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To assemble dessert:
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Place shortcake on bottom, heap with strawberries and top with whipped cream. Garnish with additional lemon zest.
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If for some crazy reason you have leftovers (and you probably will not), the shortcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, and the balsamic strawberries can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The strawberry balsamic whipped cream should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours
Do you absolutely, positively, have to have these specialty products? Well, of course not. You can always substitute plain olive oil for the shortcakes, plain balsamic reduction in the strawberries, and plain balsamic reduction in the whipped cream (or go without the balsamic entirely) but really…why would you want to?
And if you are interested in having products from Queen Creek shipped to you, check out their awesome on-line store!
You’ve sold me! Queen Creek Olive Mill looks like a terrific place and a place I’m sure inspires great recipe ideas, like this one for balsamic strawberry lemon shortcake! Lovely recipe. I wish I lived in Arizona 😉
It’s such a fun place! And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of the great products!
Can’t go wrong with a great shortcake, adding lemon give it a unique taste. Bring on a plate for me.
Will do! 🙂
Holy delicious. This is AMAZING!!! I love the burst of flavors and colors in this dish. I can’t wait to try it for real fast or a picnic, maybe! Thanks for sharing:)
http://Www.LJsWay.com
Thanks! I hope you love it! (PS-It tastes just as good as it looks-actually it tastes even better!)
This shortcake looks absolutely delicious! I’ll totally be trying this out!
So yummy, I’m sure you’ll love it 😉 !
You’ve taking the classic strawberry shortcake to a whole new level with this beautiful balsamic cream. I would love to try this next time…the reduction adds a delicious flavor to cakes!
The strawberry balsamic whipped cream is SO, SO good (and simple!). Hope you enjoy!
The whipped cream is SO, SO good!
First, and of course, this recipe looks amazing! Second, how cool is it that they have a mill you can visit. I would love to do something like that! I really love seeing how a product is made, it makes me appreciate it more. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
The olive oil tour was AWESOME. My guide (Adrienne) was so funny and knowledgeable and it made me really appreciate the effort into the creation of the oil. If you ever get to Phoenix-go visit!
This looks unreal! I’ve been on a major baking kick lately and am adding this to the list!! Love everything about it!
xo
Taylor Reese
Reese’s Hardwear
Enjoy-I’m sure you’ll love it!
you had me at shortcake. Looks sooo good!
That’s my son…he’s content with JUST the shortcake. Crazy kid! I highly recommend all of it 🙂
Wow… I’ve never had or heard of lemon olive oil. Definitely want to try that and this recipe!!
It’s so good! And Queen Creek has a whole bunch of flavored oils-vanilla, chocolate, blood orange, mexican lime, rosemary, basil, garlic, bacon, the list goes on and on. So many possibilities!
this looks absolutely yummy…a great summer dessert
Thank you 🙂 XOXO
O. M. G. This looks and sounds SO delicious, and the olive mill is absolutely beautiful! Adding it to my list if I’m ever in the area – and I’ll def be trying this recipe this summer. Always looking for a new twist on an old favorite – another great thing to combine with strawberry shortcake is lime zest & sugar!
The Queen Creek Olive Mill is such a great place to visit! It’s interesting you mention lime zest and sugar (some of my favorite ingredients), the Olive Mill has a Mexican Lime Olive Oil that I bet would be a spectacular addition instead of the Meyer Lemon Olive Oil! Thanks for the idea-I’m going to have to try it!
This looks delicious, never would of thought of adding balsamic to the strawberries but it is such a good idea 🙂
-Sarah
http://www.myfrostedlife.com
Right? Balsamic just kicks it up a notch! So yummy!
Oh wow! This looks like a perfect summers evening treat. I’ve never tried strawberry balsamic before but I bet it tastes amazing
Oh definitely try it! It is delicious!
Such a unique but delicious sounding combination! Perfect for a warm summer evening.
Thanks! Perfect for the summer evenings!
All I have to say is that it’s torturous to see this yumminess and not be able to have it right now!!! LOL!!
Come on over!
Those flavors sound amazing!
They are so, so good!
I love starwberry and lemon together. It’s such a good flavor combination! this looks delicious!
Thanks!
This looks like a bucket list kind of place! I love flavored olive oils and actually have some Meyer Lemon olive oil in my pantry as we speak. You’ve just inspired me to get it out and start cooking!
It is such a great place to visit and the story behind the family that owns it is also really inspiring. Super exciting to see their dream being realized in such a fabulous way!
Love this spin on the classic!
This strawberry balsamic syrup looks so good and I can think of so many ways to use it up! Love the strawberry and lemon combo.
It is so, so good! I think it would also make a great dressing for beets, a drizzle for crostini, a drizzle over ice cream, so many fabulous uses!
This looks so delish, what a great twist on traditional shortcake! Wish I lived closer to Phoenix
They do ship their products! Or maybe you’ll just need to take a little vacation 😉
Strawberry short cake is always best dessert. I like the infused olive oil That is going to increase the flavor for sure. I need to look for that one. Your recipe sounds very delicious.
The Meyer Lemon Olive Oil is so, so good! And it’s only of many of their amazing infused olive oils!