Basil Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits

In these Basil Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits, strawberries soaked in a sweet balsamic, basil syrup are layered with mini almond shortcakes, whipped cream, and sliced almonds for a delicious springtime dessert.

This recipe for Shortcake Parfaits was created in partnership with Fisher Nuts. This post also contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Creating this Recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits

Happy almost Mother’s Day! I hope all my mom readers out there have a wonderful Mother’s Day this year. For anyone who is planning a Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner for the mom in their life, I have a tasty new recipe for your to try: Basil Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits.

There are a few different things about these Basil Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits from traditional Strawberry Shortcakes. First, these are Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits!

In this Shortcake Parfait recipe, the strawberries are soaked in a delicious sweet raspberry balsamic basil syrup and then tossed with a bit of fresh sliced basil.

The combination of strawberries with balsamic vinegar and fresh basil is so delicious. If it isn’t something you’ve tried before, you should definitely give it a go. These berries are great just served over ice cream, too, or with a bowl of whipped cream.

Next, I added almonds, finely ground, to the shortcake dough for a fun, different twist on a traditional shortcake recipe. Nuts give extra texture and flavor to the shortcakes in this recipe.

Rather than having one large shortcake biscuit, I decided to cut them smaller so that I could assemble the recipe in a layered parfait format in pretty glasses.

The Almond Shortcakes are layered with the Balsamic Basil Strawberries, fresh whipped cream, and sliced almonds, then repeated again for some additional stacked layers.

I am glad that I decided to turn these into parfaits that because I think it offered a really pretty looking presentation – something that is perfect for a Mother’s Day dessert.

Ingredients to Make Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits

This recipe for Basil Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits might seem a little lengthy, but most of the ingredients are pretty basic. To prepare these Shortcake Parfaits, you will need the following ingredients:

• Strawberries
• Granulated Sugar
• Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
• Fresh Basil
• Sliced Almonds
• All Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Butter
• Eggs
• Milk
• Whipped Cream

Optional Garnishes: more sliced almonds and fresh basil leaves

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make this Recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits

1. The first step in this recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits is to combine the sugar, strawberries, vinegar, and basil. You will want to let the berries sit for a bit so their juices release and the sugars dissolve. It makes a delicious berry syrup.
2. While the strawberries are marinating, preheat the oven and prepare the shortcakes.
3. To prepare the shortcakes, I combine almonds, flour, part of the sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor and process until the almonds are ground.
4. Then, you will use the food processor to pulse the sliced butter into the flour mixture. After pulsing it should look like a coarse meal with small bits of flour.
5. In another bowl, combine the beaten egg and the milk. Add the flour mixture and stir until large clumps form. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and lightly work together until the dough forms a rectangle that is approximately 9 x 6 inches.
6. To cut the biscuits, I like to use a biscuit cutter with a diameter of 2 1/4 inch, and cut them into 12 rounds. If you have remaining dough scraps, use them to reform and continue cutting as needed.
7. After cutting the biscuits, brush them with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sugar. Then, bake them until golden.

Assembling the Shortcake Parfaits

Parfaits like these Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits, are super simple to assemble! A parfait is just different layers that make up the dessert in a jar on bowl, so all you’ll be doing once you’ve prepared each element is layering them!

1. In each glass or bowl, place a biscuit on the bottom. Then you will top with some of the strawberry mixture. This recipe makes 6 parfaits, so use half to make the first layers and divide that amount between the 6 glasses.
2. Place 1 biscuit at the bottom of each bowl or glass. Using half of the strawberry mixture, divide it evenly between the 6 glasses.
3. Then, divide 1/ of the whipped cream between each. Top with sliced almonds.
4. Repeat layers with another biscuit, strawberries, whipped cream, and sliced almonds. Garnish, if desired, with basil leaves.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Can You Make these Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits Ahead of Time?

I don’t recommend assembling the shortcake parfaits in advance, but you can prepare individual elements of this recipe in advance and then assemble just before you are ready to serve. Here are my make ahead tips for this parfait recipe:

• Prepare the shortcake dough up to 2 days in advance and then refrigerate the dough rounds before baking. Store them in an airtight bag so they don’t dry out.
• Bake the shortcakes up to a day in advance. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight bag.
• The strawberry balsamic mixture can easily be prepared up to 4 hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator until parfait assembly. If preparing an hour or less, keep at room temp. Refrigerated berries are best brought to room temp 30 minutes before serving.

Substitutions in this Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Typically I don’t recommend making a bunch of substitutions when preparing a new recipe. When making substitutes, you won’t know if you don’t like the recipe or if the recipe didn’t turn out due to a preparation mistake, an ill effect from the substitute, or something else.

However, if you do choose to make substitutions in a recipe, I recommend only making one substitute at a time so you don’t have a building effect of multiple poor substitutions.

Are you wondering if you can use another nut, substitute a different berry, or anything else? Here are my substitution suggestions and tips for these shortcake parfaits:

Can I Use a Different Berry in this Strawberry Shortcake Parfait Recipe?

• You could use raspberries instead of strawberries or a combination of the two as a substitute. Or, possibly even a combination of raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
• I don’t think I would recommend blueberries in this shortcake recipe because they don’t release juices in the same way that other berries do.

How Can I make Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits Dairy-Free?

In order to convert this shortcake parfait recipe to a dairy-free version, you’ll have to make a number of substitutions. Please experiment at your own risk as I have not tested these ideas. Thesuggestions are just what I would do if I were to attempt this.

First, I would recommend substituting cold shortening in place of the butter. Then you’ll need to swap out the milk. I would use plain unflavored almond milk, oat milk. Then, you will need to plan on using whatever your favorite dairy-free alternative to whipped cream is.

I’m Allergic to Almonds. What Should I Substitute in these Shortcake Parfaits?

If you are allergic to almonds, but not other tree nuts, then you could prepare this recipe by substituting walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts.

I like pecans as the best choice in this recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits. For the layers and garnish, you will want to chop the nuts so they are smaller.

If you are allergic to all nuts, then I would substitute the amount of almonds for additional flour when preparing the shortcakes. And then, simply omit the sliced almonds from the layers and garnish. I have not tested this substitute, it is just my best recommendation.

How Can I Make Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits Gluten-Free?

I have not tested any substitutions for making gluten-free shortcakes in this recipe. I would recommend using a recipe for gluten-free shortcakes if you have one already and then swapping if for the shortcakes in this recipe. Alternatively, you could experiment with using an all-purpose gluten-free baking flour blend.

More Mother’s Day Dessert Ideas

Are you looking for more Mother’s Day Dessert ideas? Visit the recipe index to browse through all of the desserts, or take a look at a few favorites of mine:

No Bake Mango Lime Cheesecake with Fruit Salsa is a delicious, make-ahead refreshing dessert option.

Gluten Free Brownie Trifle is perfect for the chocolate lover.

For a simple, fruit-centric dessert, try this Strawberry Fool.

This Fresh Strawberry Galette, a free form pie, is amazing with plenty of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

If you prefer a rich, creamy custard-like dessert, try this  Salted Caramel Budino.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

What do you plan to make for dessert on Mother’s day?

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fisher. The opinions and text are all mine.