NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY

National Strawberry Shortcake Day on June 14 lands at the peak of strawberry season. While we are able to get strawberries all year long now, the best strawberries are those picked from April to June. These bright red berries during this time are sweeter and more flavorful. By adding them to a shortcake biscuit or a sponge cake, strawberry shortcake is an easy and refreshing summertime dessert!

#StrawberryShortcakeDay

Strawberry shortcake can be found as far back as 1588 in England. However, it wasn't until the 1800s strawberry shortcake made its way to the U.S. Eliza Leslie of Philadelphia receives credit for the first recipe for strawberry shortcake in her cookbook The Lady's Receipt-Book. Though she referred to them as "strawberry cakes," her recipe was used to popularize this delicious dessert in homes.

By the late 1850s, Americans began adding a strawberry sauce with slices of fresh strawberries to the top of their shortcakes. The dessert was a June favorite because many people would celebrate their strawberry harvest with strawberry shortcake parties. This tradition is still celebrated across the country today.

Today, strawberries are sliced, mixed with sugar then allowed to sit for about an hour until they have surrendered plenty of their juices. The shortcakes are then split, and the bottom is covered with a layer of the strawberries, juice and whipped cream. The top is then put back on, and more strawberries, juice and whipped cream are added to finish it off.

HOW TO OBSERVE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY

There are several ways to enjoy today. The first and most obvious way is by making a strawberry shortcake to share. There are other delicious desserts to make featuring strawberry shortcake, too.

Visit a pick your own strawberry patch to make the day an adventure.
Make a strawberry shortcake trifle.
Enjoy strawberry shortcake ice cream.
Add mixed berries to your shortcake, too!

Share your favorite recipes and photos of your beautifully delicious strawberry shortcake using the hashtag #StrawberryShortcakeDay on social media.