Name: Giant Berry Shortcake
Total time: 2 hours (plus cooling)
Yield: 8–12 servings
Ingredients: 14 Tbsp. chilled unsalted butter; 4½ cups (563 g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; 2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. baking powder; 2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt; 2 large eggs; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract; 2 Tbsp. coarse sugar (such as sanding or raw); 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest; ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar; 2 Tbsp. strawberry jam; ½ tsp. vanilla extract; ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt; 1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled, quartered (about 2 cups); 6 oz. cream cheese, room temperature; 1½ cups (165 g) powdered sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt; 3 cups heavy cream; 12 oz. assorted whole berries (such as blueberries, blackberries, and/or raspberries; about 2 cups); Thin strips of lemon zest (for serving; optional)

Strawberry Shortcake Slab on a blue tray with a table cloth underneath

Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin

This giant berry shortcake reimagines a beloved summer staple and enlarges it to the umpteenth degree. Unlike traditional shortcakes, which get baked in individual portions, this version bundles the dough into one big slab to up the drama and make prepping easier too. (Learn more about the recipe development process here.) Once it’s cool, the slab gets topped with pompadour-ian peaks of whipped cream, made with vanilla extract and cream cheese. The latter ingredient not only gives the whipped cream subtle tang (an awesome pairing for ripe berries), but it also ensures the whipped cream stays plush and lofted as everyone eats. While you can throw any berry you have into the mix, the strawberries are essential: As they sit with the sugar and lemon juice, they macerate into a tart sauce, the perfect foil to all the sweetness. For a stress-free party, bake the shortcake the day before, and let it cool before loosely covering in plastic wrap. Then proceed with preparing the toppings right before serving.