shortcake

noun

short·​cake ˈshȯrt-ˌkāk How to pronounce shortcake (audio)
1
: a crisp and often unsweetened biscuit or cookie
2
a
: a dessert made typically of very short baking-powder-biscuit dough spread with sweetened fruit
b
: a dish consisting of a rich biscuit split and covered with a meat mixture

Examples of shortcake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Chien asks a clerk in Mandarin for a pair of tongs to pick up scallion buns, pineapple shortcakes and other pastries before reminiscing about shooting scenes in the store. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Jan. 2024 Top off the meal with dessert — Devil’s food cake and strawberry shortcake crumble are on the menu. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2024 Butter mixed with puréed Fresno chile comes on the side; the colors recall a Good Humor strawberry shortcake bar. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023 The sprinkle of sanding sugar adds the perfect golden-luster that makes homemade shortcakes so special. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2023 The resulting shortcake is crusty on top and tender and buttery throughout. Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appétit, 1 Aug. 2023 While the shortcakes chill, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brush each shortcake with a little heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2023 Twisting your biscuit cutter into the dough will hinder rising when the shortcakes hit the oven. Refrigerate or freeze your shortcakes before baking. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2023 The cake itself, a simple batter enriched with browned butter and vanilla bean, is a little softer and sweeter than a shortcake Get the recipe. Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shortcake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortcake was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near shortcake

Cite this Entry

“Shortcake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortcake. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

shortcake

noun
short·​cake -ˌkāk How to pronounce shortcake (audio)
: a dessert made of rich biscuit dough baked and served with sweetened fruit
strawberry shortcake

More from Merriam-Webster on shortcake

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