Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits — Grab-and-Go, Picnic-Ready

Quick Facts

Time: 20 minutes • Yield: 8 jars • Skill: Beginner • Method: No-bake layering • Diet: Vegetarian

Introduction

Strawberry Shortcake but faster—this no-bake, mason-jar version tackles the classic dessert when you need something sweet now. Just slice berries, cube cake, and swirl whipped cream into tidy layers you can screw a lid onto and toss in the fridge. The flavor stays true to tradition: juicy strawberries, soft vanilla cake, and light, creamy topping. The texture contrast is the hook—pillowy cream against bouncy cake with syrupy berries in between. If you love Homemade Strawberry Shortcake but don’t want to heat the kitchen, or you’re leaning into the Strawberry Shortcake Aesthetic for parties, this is the move. It’s ideal for family cookouts, classroom treats, or road-trip desserts. Use angel food cake for lightness, pound cake for richness, or cube leftover sheet cake to minimize waste—flexible, pretty, and fast.

If this quick jar method is your style, you’ll love the rest of our Strawberry Shortcake recipes.

Why You’ll Love It

• Weeknight-easy: assemble in minutes; chill if you like.
• Flexible: choose cake style, swap in raspberries, or mix berries.
• Balanced flavor: lightly sweet with bright berry juices.
• Great leftovers: jars keep layers tidy and travel well.

These no-bake strawberry shortcake parfaits layer juicy macerated strawberries, soft vanilla cake cubes, and pillowy whipped cream in portable mason jars. Perfect for picnics, parties, or weeknight treats, they’re quick to assemble, pretty to serve, and easy to customize.

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 275

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1–2 tbsp sugar (to taste)
• 12 oz cake (angel food or pound), cut into ¾-inch cubes
• 2–3 cups whipped cream or stabilized whipped topping
• 8 8-oz mason jars

Equipment

• cutting board
• knife
• mixing bowl
• spatula or spoon
• 8-oz mason jars wide-mouth jars recommended
• piping bag or zip-top bag (optional) for neat cream layers

Method

 

1. Slice the strawberries and toss with sugar. Let rest for 10–15 minutes until glossy and juicy.
2. Cut cake into even ¾-inch cubes for clean layers.
3. Spoon a layer of whipped cream into the bottom of each jar to anchor the cake cubes.
4. Add a layer of cake cubes, then spoon over some macerated strawberries and syrup.
5. Repeat the cream, cake, and berry layers until the jars are full.
6. Top with a final swirl of whipped cream and a strawberry slice for garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 0.6mg

Notes

Sweeten strawberries lightly and let them rest for 10–15 minutes to enhance flavor. Use stabilized whipped cream for best results if prepping ahead. For a twist, add lemon zest, vanilla bean, or even chipotle honey. Not freezer-friendly when assembled, but cake cubes freeze well separately. Layers look best with wide-mouth jars and a piping bag for cream. For dairy-free, sub in coconut or cashew whipped topping and use gluten-free cake.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1–2 tbsp sugar (to taste)
• 12 oz cake (angel food or pound), cut in ¾-inch cubes
• 2–3 cups whipped cream or stabilized whipped topping
• 8 mason jars (8 oz)

What each ingredient does:

• Strawberries: star flavor; provide juices.
• Sugar: draws out juices; balances tang.
• Cake cubes: soft structure; catch juices.
• Whipped cream: creamy lift; visual height.
• Jars: portion control, easy transport.

Must-have vs flexible: Berries, cake, and cream are essential; sugar amount, jar size, and cake type are flexible.

Pro tip: Sweeten lightly—berries get sweeter after 10–15 minutes of resting.

Not sure which cake to use? Start with the classics in our Cake Recipes and pick your favorite texture.

Substitutions & Swaps

• Aromatics: lemon or yuzu zest for a Japanese Strawberry Shortcake vibe; vanilla bean for luxe aroma.
• Fruit: swap in Raspberry Shortcake layers or mix strawberries with raspberries.
• Dairy/Fats: coconut whip or cashew cream for dairy-free.
• Diet swaps: gluten-free sponge or store-bought GF cake; plant-based whip.
• Budget/time: store cake, frozen berries (thawed and drained), or pre-cut fruit cups.

Equipment Notes

Any 8-oz mason jar works; wide-mouth styles are easier to fill. A small scoop makes clean cream layers, and a narrow spatula tidies the sides. If transporting, keep lids on and chill the jars until serving.

Step-by-Step

1. Slice & Macerate: Slice berries; toss with sugar and rest 10–15 minutes until glossy and juicy.
2. Cube Cake: Cut cake into even cubes for tidy layers.
3. Layer Round 1: Spoon whipped cream into the bottom of each jar to anchor the cubes.
4. Add Cake & Berries: Add cake, then berries with a bit of their syrup; this ensures moisture in the base.
5. Repeat: Repeat cream → cake → berries to the rim.
6. Finish: Swirl a final spoon of whipped cream and top with a strawberry piece.
   Doneness cues: layers reach the rim; juices lightly streak the glass; cream holds soft peaks.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Assemble up to 12 hours ahead (24 if using stabilized topping). Keep chilled with lids on. Best eaten within 1–2 days; cake slowly absorbs syrup but stays pleasant. Not suitable for freezing assembled; freeze cake cubes separately up to 3 months.

How to Lighten / Make It Creamy

Lighten: Use angel food cake and fold half the cream with yogurt.
Extra creamy: Stabilize whipped cream with a spoon of mascarpone or vanilla pudding mix; add just before layering.

Toppings, Garnishes & Finishes

• Crunch: granola, shortbread crumbs, or toasted pistachios.
• Fresh: mint, basil, or citrus zest.
• Tang/Heat: lemon juice, balsamic drizzle, or a hint of chili crisp (sparingly).
  A sprinkle, a swirl, a squeeze—your three-second upgrade.

Sides & Pairings

These jars shine next to a simple green salad for brunch or a fruit board at parties. Sip sparkling water with lime, or pour a light, crisp white if beverages are on the table.

Planning a spread? Add a few crowd-pleasers from our Dessert Recipes to round out the menu.

Scaling the Recipe

Double by prepping two bowls of berries and using a wider assembly line; keep ratios consistent so jars look neat. Halve easily for smaller gatherings. If serving a crowd, set up a “Shortcake Bar” with jars, cake, berries, and cream so guests can build their own.

Nutrition & Dietary Notes

Fruit-forward dessert with modest portions. Contains gluten and dairy; easy to adapt with GF cake and plant-based whip.

Troubleshooting

• Too sweet: use less sugar on berries; add lemon.
• Too watery: drain excess syrup with a spoon before layering.
• Soggy cake: add cream first to shield the bottom layer and assemble closer to serving.
• Cream deflates: use stabilized whipped topping or whisk to medium-firm peaks.

FAQs

Can I use frozen or precut ingredients? Yes; thaw and drain frozen berries; precut cake is fine.
Best fruit swaps? Raspberries, blueberries, or a combo; think Strawberry Shortcake Cakes vibes in jar form.
How do I keep layers clean? Use a piping bag or zip-top bag for cream.
Dairy-free/gluten-free? Plant-based whip + GF cake work great.
How long does it keep? Up to 2 days chilled (best day-of).

Variations

• Lemony Herb: Lemon zest + mint; extra bright.
• Spicy Chipotle: Tiny dab of chipotle honey with berries; lime to balance.
• Creamy Vanilla: Fold vanilla pudding into whipped cream for body.

Chef Notes / Test Kitchen Tips

Resting the berries is the single biggest quality booster—those juices make every bite taste like summer. Keep cream to medium peaks so it spreads but holds shape. If traveling, pack the final whipped cream in a small container and add at the picnic.

Conclusion

These no-bake Strawberry Shortcake parfaits are the answer when time is short but dessert expectations are high. The jars keep everything pretty, portable, and party-ready for up to two days. Save this for weeknights, picnics, and celebrations—and let those layers steal the show.