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If you’ve ever wished for a dessert that combines the charm of a classic strawberry shortcake with the convenience of a simple sheet pan bake, you’re in for a treat. Strawberry shortcake is one of those timeless desserts that brings joy with its inviting layers and perfect balance of simple ingredients. It’s the kind of dessert that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo. Embracing fresh milled flour in this recipe gives it a unique twist that’s both wholesome and flavorful. The fresh berries alongside the shortcake creates an enchanting aroma and mouthwatering texture that feels special but is surprisingly easy to pull off. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or a quiet night in, this sheet pan version is sure to bring smiles around the table.

What Makes This Recipe Great

Sheet Pan Style: Simple, Beautiful, and Crowd-Ready

Using a sheet pan for this dessert makes clean-up a breeze and ensures everything bakes evenly without the fuss of individual portions.It also makes this homemade strawberry shortcake especially approachable. No shaping individual biscuits. No worrying about even rising or spacing. Just one golden, buttery layer that can be sliced into squares and served up family-style. And because it’s baked in a thinner layer, you get that perfect ratio of golden edges to tender center. Every piece offers a bit of those crisp, caramelized corners that everyone secretly fights over.

Freshly Milled Flour: The Game-Changer

Grinding your own flour might sound fancy, but it brings a wonderfully nutty and wholesome flavor to the shortcakes that you just won’t get from store-bought flour. It adds an earthy note that complements the sweet strawberries beautifully, making each bite feel a bit more special. Unlike store-bought flour, which has been stripped of its nutrients and often sits on shelves for months, freshly milled flour includes the entire grain—bran, germ, and endosperm. This adds not only real nutrition but also a depth of flavor you can actually taste. The result? A shortcake that’s rich, slightly nutty, and full of character, not bland and one-dimensional. The texture also benefits—fresh milled flour gives the cake a delicate crumb with just enough substance to feel hearty, while still remaining tender and light. You get the best of both worlds: a soft, cake-like base that can support juicy berries and cream without turning soggy or mushy.

Strawberries and Cream: Summer at Its Sweetest

Of course, no shortcake is complete without the real stars—sweet, ripe strawberries and fluffy whipped cream. When layered on top of the warm, golden cake, the juices begin to seep into the surface just slightly, creating the dreamiest bite: tart-sweet fruit, pillowy cream, and buttery, freshly baked cake with real grain flavor.

For more freshly milled desserts, try our moist yellow cake and oatmeal cream pies!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Fresh Milled Flour
Using freshly milled flour gives your shortcakes a lovely, rustic quality that’s hard to beat. If you don’t have a grain mill, high-quality whole wheat or all-purpose flour will still work, just note the flavor will be a bit different.

Strawberries
Fresh, ripe strawberries are the star of the show here, bringing juiciness and sweetness. If strawberries aren’t in season, you can substitute with fresh raspberries or even thawed frozen berries for a slightly different but still delicious result.

Sugar
Sugar is used to help macerate the strawberries and sweeten the shortcakes. Feel free to replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup if you want a different flavor profile.

Butter
Cold butter works best to create those lovely flaky layers in the shortcake. If you’d like, you can use a butter substitute, but it might affect the texture slightly.

Heavy Cream
Heavy cream adds richness to the shortcakes and helps them brown beautifully. You can substitute with half-and-half or even full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option.

Vanilla Extract
A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors in the shortcakes, adding a touch of warmth. If you don’t have vanilla on hand, almond extract is a nice alternative, though stronger in flavor.

side view of a slice of strawberry shortcake

Tips for Success

#1 Handle the batter just enough
Overworking the batter can result in tough shortcakes, so mix until the ingredients just come together. Using cold hands and cold butter helps keep the batter tender and flaky.

#2 Chill your baking sheet
For an extra crisp crust, chill your baking sheet before placing the shortcake dough on it. This trick keeps the butter cold longer, creating those flaky layers that everyone loves.

#3 Let the shortcakes cool before adding toppings
Waiting a bit before piling on strawberries or cream prevents the shortcakes from becoming soggy and lets you enjoy a perfect texture balance.

Helpful Tools & Supplies

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of fresh milled flour or you’re a seasoned home baker, I’ve taken the guesswork out of what you truly need. All of these tools and resources are available in my shop, designed to help your journey be smooth and nourishing:

Grain Mills

NutriMill Classic Grain Mill – My go-to for fine, consistent milling; perfect for sandwich breads and everyday baking.
NutriMill Harvest Grain Mill – Stone-ground elegance: this model delivers whole-grain flavor with a beautiful appearance.

Mixers

Ankarsrum Mixer – A powerhouse kitchen companion with multiple speeds and attachments—ideal for kneading bread dough effortlessly.

Baking & Bread Tools

Bread Bow Knife – Artisan-made with a high-carbon steel blade and cherry wood handle—this knife slices loaves with ease.
Sourdough Essentials Kit With Starter – Complete starter kit that includes dehydrated sourdough starter, banneton baskets, a dough whisk, scoring lame, and more.

Cookbooks & eBook Bundles

Everyday Whole Grains Vol. 1 & 2 (printed & digital) – Packed with 70+ recipes built around fresh milled flour, from breads to snacks and desserts.
The Fresh Breads Bundle – A comprehensive set including eBooks like The Perfect Loaf, the Cookie Jar, bulk baking guides, and a sourdough mini‑course—all centered on fresh milled flour.
Freshly Milled Made Simple Guide – A video-based guide that walks you through milling and baking basics, making the process feel easy and approachable.

Specialty Items

Dehydrated Sourdough Starter – Just add water and flour to rehydrate this starter—perfect for bakers without an active sourdough culture.
I Knead Fresh Flour Mug – A charming, handmade 12 oz ceramic mug—great for coffee breaks during dough rising!

Why These Are Worth It

Every tool in this collection has been personally vetted to support you in baking with fresh milled flour. From the grain mills that make your flour, to mixers that knead dough, to resources that teach you every step—it’s all here to make sure your homemade bread journey is joyful, nourishing, and successful.

➡️ Explore all of these items and more in the Generation Acres Farm Shop — your one-stop spot for fresh milled flour baking essentials.

strawberries on a cake with whipped cream

Equipment for Strawberry Shortcake:

Sheet Pan
Mixing Bowls
Pastry Cutter or Fork
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Cooling Rack

How to Make Sheet Pan Strawberry Shortcake

INGREDIENTS

Shortcake:

4 ¼ cups fresh milled soft white wheat flour, finely milled (490 grams)
1 cup maple sugar or sugar (160 grams)
5 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup cold butter (230 grams)
2 eggs
2 cups heavy whipping cream (440 grams)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Whipped Cream:

2 cups heavy whipping cream (440 grams)
4 tablespoons maple syrup

Strawberries:

2 lbs fresh strawberries, quartered
4 tablespoons sugar or maple sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

ingredients for sheet pan strawberry shortcake

Line a 13 x 18 inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Cut the butter into pieces, then use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter into the flour until it resembles small peas.

Lightly beat the eggs, then add them to the flour mixture, along with the heavy cream and vanilla.

eggs, vanilla, and heavy cream in a mixing bowl with flour.

Stir until combined.

Turn out the dough onto the lined baking sheet. Use greased hands or a spatula to press the dough into the pan.

shortcake batter that has been pressed into a sheet pan

Bake for 20-24 minutes.
Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack,

shortcake with strawberries and whipped cream

Prepare the whipped cream by beating the cream and maple syrup until stiff peaks form.

whipped cream that has been spread on a shortcake

Stir together the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice and let sit for a few minutes.
Spread the whipped cream on the cake once it has cooled completely.
Top with the strawberries.

sheet pan strawberry shortcake on a cutting board

Recipe Variations

Gluten-Free Version:
Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular or fresh milled flour. Be sure to check the blend works well for baking, especially for tender shortcakes.

Add Citrus Zest:
Sprinkle some lemon or orange zest into the shortcake dough to add a bright, fresh note that pairs beautifully with the strawberries.

Whipped Cream Swap:
Try coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free topping that adds a subtle tropical twist to your shortcake.

Mixed Berry Shortcake:
Combine strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a vibrant berry medley that adds color and flavor variety.

Honey Drizzle:
Drizzle a little honey over the roasted strawberries before serving for an extra touch of sweetness and a glossy finish.

What To Serve With Sheet Pan Strawberry Shortcake

Fresh Whipped Cream
Lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a fluffy, creamy texture that balances the sweet berries and tender cake perfectly.

Vanilla Ice Cream
Vanilla ice cream pairs wonderfully with this dessert, melting gently into the warm shortcake for a luscious contrast.

Mint Sprigs
Fresh mint sprigs don’t just add color—they lend a subtle herbal aroma that keeps each bite feeling fresh.

A Dusting of Powdered Sugar
A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty finishing touch that enhances the inviting presentation.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe

Dry or Crumbly Shortcake
Make sure not to overmix the dough, as this can cause dryness. Also, measure flour carefully; packing too much flour will dry out the cake.

Flat Shortcakes
If your shortcakes aren’t rising as expected, check that your baking powder is fresh. Also, make sure the butter is cold and the oven preheated properly.

Soggy Bottoms
Avoid sogginess by serving the shortcakes shortly after assembling and consider placing a paper towel underneath to absorb excess juices.

Shortcakes Too Dense
Incorporate air by cutting cold butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is key for a light and fluffy texture.

two slices of strawberry shortcake on plates

Freezing & Storing Leftovers

Freezing:
Cool the shortcakes completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then placing in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently in the oven to bring back their fresh-baked texture.

Storing:
Store leftover shortcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep strawberries and cream separate until serving to prevent sogginess.

Extra FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, substitute butter with a vegan butter or coconut oil and use a plant-based milk for the cream. Coconut whipped cream works well as a topping.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
You can make the dough a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before baking for best results.

What’s the best way to pick strawberries for this recipe?
Choose strawberries that are firm, brightly colored, and fragrant. Avoid berries that are too soft.

Can I add other spices to the shortcake dough?
Absolutely. A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even cardamom can add a lovely warm note that pairs nicely with strawberries.

a piece of freshly milled strawberry shortcake sitting on plate

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