Strawberry Shortcake Christmas Cups: Easy Holiday Desserts

Is there anything more festive than a dessert that looks as joyful as it tastes? With all the hustle and bustle of the season, finding a show-stopping holiday treat that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen can feel like a Christmas miracle. That’s exactly why these Strawberry Shortcake Christmas Cups have become my go-to. They’re everything you love about the classic dessert—sweet berries, fluffy cake, and clouds of whipped cream—but served in adorable individual portions that are perfect for passing around at a party. Plus, you can totally cheat with a store-bought shortcut. Who’s going to tell? Not me!

Why You’ll Love This

These little cups are a total crowd-pleaser for so many reasons. First, they’re incredibly easy to make, which means you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your guests. They’re also completely customizable; you can set up a little topping bar and let everyone build their own dessert. But the best part? They look so fancy and festive without any of the fuss. The red strawberries and white cream against the golden cake just scream Christmas. So good.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and diced: For that sweet, juicy burst of flavor.
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: To macerate the berries and pull out their natural juices.
• 1 store-bought pound cake or angel food cake (10-12 oz): Our brilliant time-saving shortcut that tastes just like homemade.
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream: For making that dreamy, fluffy topping.
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream perfectly without grittiness.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the cream.
• Fresh mint leaves or holiday sprinkles (for garnish): A little something to make them extra pretty.

Let’s Get Cooking Step by Step

1. Start with the strawberries. Toss the diced berries with the granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Let them sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’ve released a beautiful, ruby-red syrup.
2. While the berries are macerating, prepare your cake. Using a serrated knife, cut the pound cake into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. You’ll need about 4 cups of cake cubes.
3. Next, make the whipped cream. Pour the heavy whipping cream into a large, chilled bowl. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the cream on medium-high speed until it just starts to thicken. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue beating until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat it, or you’ll start making butter!
4. Now for the fun part: assembly! Get your serving cups ready—clear plastic or glass cups are lovely for showing off the layers. Start with a layer of cake cubes at the bottom of each cup. Follow with a spoonful of the juicy strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream. Repeat the layers once more.
5. Top each cup with a final flourish of whipped cream, a few strawberry pieces, and a mint leaf or a pinch of holiday sprinkles. Serve immediately for the best texture, or pop them in the fridge for a bit to chill.

Simple Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is wonderfully flexible. For a different fruit twist, try using raspberries or a mix of berries. If you’re avoiding dairy, use a can of full-fat coconut milk (chilled) to make the whipped cream and grab a dairy-free pound cake from the store. Want to make it even easier? Honestly, a tub of high-quality store-bought whipped topping works in a serious pinch. For a boozy adult version, you could add a tiny splash of orange liqueur to the berries, but my family loves the simple, kid-friendly original.

Tips For Success with Christmas Desserts

• Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10 minutes before whipping the cream. It whips up faster and holds its shape better.
• Don’t skip the macerating step for the strawberries! That syrupy juice is liquid gold for flavor.
• Use a serrated knife to cut the cake—it saws through without squishing the delicate crumb.
• Assemble these cups no more than an hour or two before serving. The cake can get a bit too soft if it sits in the berry juice for too long.
• If you’re making these for a big party, you can prep all the components ahead of time and keep them separate in the fridge. Then, let everyone assemble their own cup—it’s a fun activity!
• And remember, a little mess means you’re doing it right. Laughing and spills are all part of the holiday fun.

Serving Ideas & Pairings for Strawberry Shortcake

These individual cups are perfect for a Christmas party dessert table. They pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. For a truly festive spread, I love serving them alongside other simple Christmas desserts like peppermint brownies or chewy gingerbread cookies. They’re also a wonderful light finish to a heavier holiday meal. And if you’re looking for Christmas food ideas beyond sweets, these cups can even double as a sweet appetizer option to start the festivities on a bright note.

Storage & Reheating Recommendations

These desserts are truly best enjoyed the day they are made. If you have leftovers, you can cover them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to one day. Be aware that the cake will continue to soften. I do not recommend freezing assembled cups, as the whipped cream and juicy berries do not thaw well. However, you can absolutely freeze the leftover cake cubes in a freezer bag for up to 3 months to use for a quick trifle another day.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use frozen strawberries? You can, but thaw them completely and drain off the excess liquid first. The texture will be a bit softer, but the flavor will still be great.
• What’s the best way to hull a strawberry? My favorite quick method is to push a plastic straw through the bottom tip of the berry and push it up through the top—it pops the stem and hull right out!
• Can I make this into one big trifle instead? Absolutely! Layer the components in a clear glass bowl for a stunning centerpiece. It’s one of my favorite easy holiday desserts for a crowd.
• What other easy Christmas treats can I make? For more simple Christmas desserts, think about no-bake options like Christmas tree rice crispy treats or a super simple fudge. The key to holiday baking is to keep it fun and stress-free!