shortcake
noun
short·cake
ˈshȯrt-ˌkāk 
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
Portillo’s also serves desserts such as strawberry shortcake or chocolate cake, which also can be made into a chocolate cake shake.
—
Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
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
Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
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
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
Dictionary Entries Near shortcake
Cite this Entry
“Shortcake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortcake. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
shortcake
noun
short·cake
-ˌkāk
: a dessert made of rich biscuit dough baked and served with sweetened fruit
strawberry shortcake
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