shortcake

American  

[shawrt-keyk] / ˈʃɔrtˌkeɪk /

noun

1. a cake made with a relatively large amount of butter or other shortening.

2. a dessert made of short, sometimes sweetened, biscuit dough baked or split in layers, with a filling or topping of strawberries or other fruit.

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shortcake British  

/ ˈʃɔːtˌkeɪk /

noun

1. a kind of shortbread made from a rich biscuit dough

2. a dessert made of layers of shortcake filled with fruit and cream

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Etymology

Origin of shortcake

First recorded in 1585–95; short + cake

Example Sentences

The chain saw success working with Paramount Pictures on a SpongeBob menu released in December, featuring items like a Krabby Whopper with a bright yellow bun and a Patrick Star-themed strawberry shortcake pie.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

At a community blind-box trading event in Central Park in New York City, Dottin unboxed a Sonny Angel with a strawberry shortcake hat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

For my birthday, it was always strawberry shortcake.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2024

Takashimaya's strawberry shortcake has layers of chiffon and fresh strawberries, covered in white icing that is carefully piped to resemble the frilled hem of a dress.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2023

We enjoyed strawberry shortcake for dessert, and then it was time for Styx to go.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon