Strawberry Shortcake Bites

In preparation for an upcoming party, I wanted to create a tasty “dessert appetizer”–a sweet treat small enough to be eaten in a bite or two while standing, holding a glass and talking to your friends. I tried a few different ideas and, with the help of my daughter’s hungry boyfriend, settled on the Strawberry Shortcake Bites. They are simple to make, pretty to serve and easy to eat. Oh yeah, they taste great too!

Begin with opening a package of Grand Buttermilk Biscuits (that’s easier than making your own isn’t it?).  On a flour dusted surface, roll out one biscuit, thinning to a quarter of its original thickness.

Using a small circular cookie cutter (or, as I did, a shot glass), cut out as many circles as you can get out of the dough. Repeat process cutting out however many dough circles you need for however many dessert bites you want to make.

Place dough in a 350º oven and cook until done.

Meanwhile, slice your strawberries length-wise so they are thin slivers.

To put it all together, have a biscuit bottom, top with 3 slivers of strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream and top with a biscuit. Use a cocktail spear to hold it altogether. Viola!! You have the perfect dessert appetizer!

ingredients:

1 package Grand Buttermilk Biscuits
Fresh Strawberries
Whipped Cream (homemade or if you must store bought is fine)

Tips for Perfect Shortcake Bites

• Roll it really thin. The biscuit dough puffs up a lot in the oven, so rolling it down to a quarter of its thickness keeps each bite small and dainty.
• Watch them closely. Thin little circles bake fast. Start checking after about 6 minutes and pull them when they are puffed and golden on the bottom. Every oven is different.
• Cool before stacking. Let the biscuit circles cool completely before adding the whipped cream, or the cream will melt and slide right off.
• Pick ripe berries. Bright red, fragrant strawberries make all the difference. Slice them right before you assemble so they stay fresh and juicy.
• Dust the cutter. Dip the cookie cutter or shot glass in a little flour between cuts so the dough releases cleanly.

Fun Variations

Once you make these, you will want to try every berry in the market. Blueberries, raspberries or sliced peaches all work beautifully. For the Fourth of July I like to mix strawberries and blueberries for a red, white and blue platter. You can brush the tops of the dough circles with a little melted butter and sprinkle with sugar before baking for a sweet, sparkly finish. A tiny bit of lemon zest stirred into the whipped cream is lovely too. If you are making your own whipped cream, whip it with a spoonful of sugar and a splash of vanilla until soft peaks form.

Make Ahead Plan for Parties

These are perfect for entertaining because most of the work can be done early. Bake the biscuit circles up to a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature once they are completely cool. Slice the strawberries a few hours before the party and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Homemade whipped cream can be made a few hours ahead and kept chilled. Then assemble the bites within an hour or so of serving so the biscuits do not get soggy. Keep the finished platter in the refrigerator until your guests arrive.

How to Serve Them

I love arranging these on a white platter or a tiered stand so the red berries really pop. Set them out next to a pitcher of lemonade or a sparkling drink and watch them disappear. They are a sweet finish for a summer barbecue, a bridal shower or a garden party.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bites does one package make?

It depends on the size of your cutter, but you will get several small circles from each biscuit. Remember each bite needs two circles, a top and a bottom.

Can I use homemade biscuit dough?

Of course. Roll it thin and bake it the same way, keeping an eye on it so the little rounds do not overbake.

How long do assembled bites last?

They are best eaten the day they are made. Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator and enjoy them within a day.

Mandy

Strawberry Shortcake Bites

Tiny rounds of buttermilk biscuit dough stacked with fresh strawberry slivers and whipped cream. A simple, pretty dessert appetizer that is easy to eat while mingling.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bites

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 package refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough
• fresh strawberries
• whipped cream homemade or store bought
• flour for dusting the work surface

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. On a flour dusted surface, roll out one biscuit until it is about a quarter of its original thickness.
3. Using a small round cookie cutter or a shot glass, cut out as many circles as you can. Repeat with as many biscuits as you need for the number of bites you want, remembering each bite uses two circles.
4. Place the dough circles on a baking sheet and bake until done.
5. Meanwhile, slice the strawberries lengthwise into thin slivers.
6. To assemble, top a biscuit bottom with 3 strawberry slivers and a dollop of whipped cream, then add a biscuit top.
7. Hold each bite together with a cocktail spear and serve.

Notes

Bake the biscuit rounds up to a day ahead and assemble within an hour of serving so they stay crisp.