Low-Calorie Strawberry Shortcake Cups

So you’re craving dessert. Something sweet, fruity, and kind of fancy. But you also don’t want to bake a whole cake, wash a mountain of dishes, or mentally prepare for a sugar crash. Totally fair.

Meet Low-Calorie Strawberry Shortcake Cups—all the flavor of classic shortcake, layered into adorable little cups, and light enough that you don’t need to unbutton your jeans afterward. Win-win.

Why This Recipe Is Awesome

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Let’s be real, this recipe checks a lot of boxes:

• Low-calorie but still dessert-y. It doesn’t feel like a sad compromise.
• No complicated baking. Minimal effort, maximum reward.
• Perfect for portion control. Individual cups = no accidental overeating.
• Fresh and light. Strawberries keep things bright and refreshing.
• Looks impressive. People will think you tried harder than you did.

Honestly, these cups are proof that you can enjoy dessert and still feel good about it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple stuff you can actually find in your kitchen.

For the Strawberry Layer

• 1½ cups fresh strawberries, chopped – The star of the show.
• 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup – Just enough to bring out sweetness.

For the Cake Layer

• 1 cup light vanilla cake or sponge cake, cubed – Store-bought or homemade. No judgment.

For the Cream Layer

• 1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt – Thick, creamy, and protein-packed.
• 1–2 tbsp powdered sugar or honey – Adjust to taste.
• ½ tsp vanilla extract – Makes it taste like dessert, not yogurt.

Optional but highly encouraged:

• Lemon zest for brightness
• A few crushed graham crackers for crunch

Key tip: Use ripe strawberries. Bland strawberries ruin the vibe.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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1. Prep the strawberries.
   Toss chopped strawberries with honey or maple syrup. Let them sit for 5–10 minutes to get juicy.
2. Make the cream layer.
   In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, sweetener, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
3. Prepare the cake.
   Cut the cake into small cubes. Smaller pieces layer better and soak up flavor.
4. Start layering.
   Add a few cake cubes to the bottom of each cup.
5. Add cream.
   Spoon a layer of yogurt mixture over the cake. Smooth it lightly.
6. Add strawberries.
   Spoon some juicy strawberries (and a little juice) on top.
7. Repeat the layers.
   Cake → cream → strawberries. End with strawberries for the cute factor.
8. Chill or serve immediately.
   Chill for 15–20 minutes for best texture, or eat right away if patience isn’t your thing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using dry cake.
  Light, moist cake works best. Dry cake = sad shortcake.
• Over-sweetening the yogurt.
  Strawberries already bring sweetness. Taste before adding more sugar.
• Skipping the chilling step.
  Even a short chill helps the flavors come together.
• Making layers too thick.
  Balanced layers = better bites.
• Using watery yogurt.
  Thick Greek yogurt is key. Drain if needed.

Alternatives & Substitutions

This recipe is super flexible, which we love.

• No cake?
  Use angel food cake, biscuit crumbs, or even granola.
• Dairy-free version:
  Use coconut or almond yogurt. Texture will be slightly lighter.
• Extra protein:
  Mix a scoop of vanilla protein powder into the yogurt. FYI, add a splash of milk to keep it smooth.
• Different fruit:
  Blueberries, raspberries, or peaches work beautifully.
• Crunch lovers:
  Add crushed graham crackers or almonds between layers.

IMO, strawberries + vanilla is a classic combo that never fails.

FAQ (Because You’re Probably Wondering)

Are these actually low-calorie?
Yes. One cup usually falls around 150–180 calories, depending on ingredients.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely. Make them up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated.

Will the cake get soggy?
A little, but in a good way. It soaks up strawberry juices and tastes amazing.

Can I use frozen strawberries?
You can, but fresh strawberries give better texture and flavor.

Are these kid-friendly?
Absolutely. Sweet, creamy, and colorful—kids usually love them.

Can I freeze them?
Not recommended. Yogurt texture changes after freezing.

Final Thoughts

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These Low-Calorie Strawberry Shortcake Cups are light, creamy, fruity, and just the right amount of sweet. They feel like dessert, look adorable, and don’t leave you feeling heavy afterward.

Make them for guests, for family, or just for yourself on a random afternoon.
Now grab a spoon, dig in, and enjoy dessert without the drama.