Angel Cake Strawberry Shortcake in Cups

These strawberry shortcakes in jars give you all the flavor of the traditional dessert, but better! The cake pieces are stirred right into the creamy ingredients so you get one big fluffy mixture to layer with the fruit.

It’s a delicious twist, and the individual servings make it ideal for parties. Other mini dessert to try include black & white mini parfaits and banana pudding mini cups.

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Ingredient Notes

• Angel Food Cake. Get a prepared cake from the bakery department of any grocery store. Angel food cake holds up well to the moist ingredients so you can make it ahead. You can substitute with pound cake or sponge cake too.
• Fresh strawberries. Dice them into small bite size pieces. Strawberries do not continue to ripen once they’re picked so choose the best looking berries you can. 
• Cool Whip. Use frozen whipped topping and let it thaw so it’s easy to work with. I don’t recommend using real whipped cream for this; you need the stability that the whipped topping offers. 
• Cream Cheese. Use a block of cream cheese (use 1/3 less fat if you like) and let it soften at room temperature or in the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds. It needs to be easy to stir, but not warm.
• Garnish. White chocolate shavings and fresh mint leaves.

Step-By-Step Photos

Macerate the strawberries the day before you need them so you have plenty of time for the juice to develop.

Add Sugar to Berries

1. Start by washing and drying the strawberries, then remove stems and dice them into small cubes. Place them in a medium bowl and sprinkle granulated sugar on top. Give them a good stir and cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 2 hours, but overnight is best.
2. The sugar draws out the natural juices making the strawberries softer and creating a light syrup.

2. Cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
3. Add softened cream cheese and powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar together.

4. Stir whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, then carefully fold in the cake pieces.

Assemble Dessert

In each jar, layer creamy cake filling, strawberries with juice, and another layer of cake filling. Top with strawberries and juice.

Helpful Tips

• To top these with white chocolate shavings, use a vegetable peeler to scrape across the edge of a bar of chocolate.
• This recipe is made for individual servings, but you can easily make one large trifle using a larger bowl.
• No time to macerate the strawberries? You can add a little strawberry ice cream topping along with the cut strawberries.

PARTY TIP: Place mini trifles on a tray or sheet pan, cover with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Place a towel on the tray if needed to keep the jars from sliding around while transferring them to the table.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Make them up to 12 hours ahead for best results, however leftovers can be enjoyed for about 3 days.

The creamy filling keeps the cake from drying out. It’s also thick enough that it provides a barrier so the strawberry juice won’t make it soggy. To store, cover them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate.

How to Serve Them

You need 12 mini dessert cups that hold 4 to 6 ounces each. I used these 5-ounce jars that are actually upcycled from a brand of yogurt. Small 4-ounce mason jars also work great for layered trifles.

You can also use pretty tea cups for a ladies tea party or luncheon. No need to alternate layers since the cups aren’t made of glass.

Serve them with cute little dessert or demitasse spoons.

You can serve these in coupe glasses for a dinner party. For this you don’t need to create layers, just add the creamy cake mixture on the bottom and top with the macerated strawberries. Small compotes can also be used.

Small stemless wine glasses can also be use to hold the trifles.

The color lends itself to red themed holidays and occasions like 4th of July, Valentines day, and Christmas, but also for special occasions like baby showers, bridal showers and birthdays.

More Strawberry Recipes

Incorporate this build-your-own strawberry shortcakes bar for a larger gathering, and let guests do the work themselves. It’s fun and interactive. Or this red, white and blue trifle is everyone’s favorite for 4th of July and summer parties.

Bite-size stuffed strawberries are great for brunch, showers, ladies luncheons, and tea parties. Or, if you’d rather cook with berries, try this mixed berry galette for a warm dessert.