Dark Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes with Amaretto Cream

by Erin

The blog hopping party is back in time for Valentine’s Day! I was so excited when Erin, from Big Fat Baker,announced that she was thinking of extending the Holiday Blog Hop past Christmas. These blog hops are great for finding new blogs and recipes with a theme involved (if you would like to join fill out the contact form found HERE). Today for the Valentine’s Day theme, we had to incorporate at least one of three ingredients, which were: beef, heavy cream, or strawberries. Once you’re done here, be sure to check out the others blog hopper’s posts listed at the bottom!

While digging through my bookmarked recipes, I noticed there were far too many that would be great to make for your Valentine this year. Even with the help of narrowing it down by ingredients! But when I saw this dark chocolate version of strawberry shortcake I knew I had a winner. After all, in addition to the dark chocolate and strawberries (already making me happy) the whipped cream topping has pudding AND Amaretto in it – wee!! I’ll have my dessert with a little liqueur, thank you very much. This recipe just screamed “love”, even if it’s only a love affair with the dessert itself ;-).

For the first shortcake I assembled, I wanted to slice the shortcakes in half like a bun in order to make a multilayer shortcake. Yea, that shortcake crumbled into a (delicious) pile. Learn from me – do not try to cut the shortcakes. Just stack them up in their slightly thicker glory. Then serve with a little extra cream topping and strawberries.

And the Amaretto cream? Sure at first it looks like you’ve made far more than necessary, but you’ll end up wanting to eat it straight up. Or maybe you’ll start thinking of the strawberries and chocolate shortcake as mere vehicles for the cream. With the cream cheese and pudding mix in there it tastes like cheesecake, in the consistency of pudding. So where does that leave me? I’ll be in the corner mixing the attempted-sliced-but-crumbled-shortcakes in with the strawberries and cream. Make-shift trifle anyone? You don’t want to see the pictures of that though. Focus on the prettiness I’ve shown here (when I did not try to cut the shortcakes in half).

P.S. I love mixing Amaretto and coke together. It’s lovely beverage.

One year ago: Guiltless Fettucine Alfredo

DARK CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES WITH AMARETTO CREAM

Makes 3 large or 6 small

Ingredients:

SHORTCAKES

2/3 cup 2% milk

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup unsalted cold butter, chopped

CREAM

8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened

1 (3.4oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix

1/4 cup Amaretto

1-1/2 cups 2% milk

8 oz. frozen light whipped topping, thawed

2 lbs. sliced strawberries, leaving a few whole for garnish

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat (or grease pan well).
  2. Place 2/3 cup milk and dark chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Cool.
  3. Meanwhile, add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl, and whisk together until combined. Add butter and cut in with fork until crumbly in texture. Slowly add milk and chocolate chip mixture and stir in until just combined.
  4. Using an extra large cookie scoop, spoon mixture into 6 large circles (or 12 small) onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until set (or about 8-12 minutes for small). Cool on wire racks.
  5. Meanwhile, in large bowl mix together cream cheese and pudding mix with electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Slowly mix in Amaretto and milk until well combined. Fold in whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate for about 1-2 hours or until firm.
  6. To assemble, place one shortcake on serving plate then top with cream and strawberries; end with another chocolate shortcake. Top with more Amaretto cream and strawberries if desired. Repeat with remaining shortcakes.

Source: Adapted slightly from Snappy Gourmet.



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22 comments

Desi February 17, 2012 - 9:21 am

Love these! I would try them with regular milk or semi-sweet chocolate instead of dark chocolate though. And that amaretto cream… my oh my!!! Great pick for the challenge :)

http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2012/02/strawberry-sweethearts-cocoa-for.html

Reply
spiffycookie February 17, 2012 - 12:26 pm

You can definitely substitute the chocolate.

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veronica gantley February 17, 2012 - 6:43 am

My mom used to make these when I was little. the shortcake wasnt chocolate though. Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories.

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Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray February 15, 2012 - 3:52 pm

Obviously the rule of a shot of amaretto for the recipe, a shot for yourself, right? ;)

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spiffycookie February 15, 2012 - 3:56 pm

Totally.

Reply
Matt February 13, 2012 - 10:15 pm

Wow, this looks like a fancy and delicious dessert that would be perfect to make for V-day. Love your style. By the way, thanks for stopping by my blog @ Food Crazie and your nice feedback. I’ve added your wonderful site to my blog roll.

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Steph@stephsbitebybite February 13, 2012 - 5:01 pm

Chocolate shortcakes!! Why have I never thought of this!! This is ah-mazing!!

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Baker Street February 13, 2012 - 6:09 am

Mmmm… Amaretto cream is a wicked idea. Love it.

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Online Parenting Class February 13, 2012 - 3:29 am

strawberry shortcake!!<3

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Living The Sweet Life February 12, 2012 - 9:47 pm

Erin, is it a little strange that I kind of want to move into your kitchen :$ lol … i won’t. But you are killing me with how amazing this looks – – and amaretto … YES YES YES!!

Reply
spiffycookie February 13, 2012 - 8:57 am

You can move in and I’ll make whatever you want, so long as you do the dishes ;-)

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Tracey February 12, 2012 - 2:54 pm

Chocolate strawberry shortcake is probably in my top 3 desserts ever. This version with the Amaretto sounds like it could be even better than my current favorite, and it’s definitely perfect for V-Day!

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spiffycookie February 12, 2012 - 4:48 pm

This was my very first time having a chocolate version of strawberry shortcake. I enjoyed it and am glad I have some leftover O:-).

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Laura @ Gluten Free Pantry February 11, 2012 - 9:48 pm

Oh yes, I will take this shortcake now! I love the addition of amaretto cream to the recipe. It is nice to “meet” you through the blog hop :)

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Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts February 11, 2012 - 5:43 pm

This is absolutely wonderful! I love the take on a traditional shortcake, and I LOVE armaretto!

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BigFatBaker February 11, 2012 - 1:46 pm

This looks great!! I love your twist on the traditional whipped cream..your recipe is perfect for valentine’s day! And your berries look so gorgeous.

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Pam @ The Meltaways February 11, 2012 - 12:09 pm

I am totally drooling right now! These look awesome! Perfect pick!

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Cassie February 11, 2012 - 8:25 am

Dark chocolate and strawberries…I’ll take it any day. This sounds amazing!

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Liz February 11, 2012 - 7:32 am

Gorgeous, Erin! My hubby would LOVE this for Valentine’s Day!

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Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers February 11, 2012 - 7:23 am

Copy Cat! lol!! Your strawberry shortcake looks amazing!! Genius making it chocolate and adding pudding to the cream is nice!!! I’m going to have to try your version!!

Reply
Joanne February 11, 2012 - 7:19 am

I love strawberry shortcake as is…but chocolate definitely takes it up MANY notches. Love this!

Reply

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