strawberry shortcakes in glass cups topped with strawberry mixture and mint leaves

Strawberry Shortcake Cups (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)

After a winter of heavier meals and cozy comfort foods, spring calls for something lighter, fresher, and a little more colorful. Strawberries start showing up everywhere, and suddenly dessert doesn’t have to feel heavy to feel special.

These strawberry shortcake cups are one of those recipes that look fancy but are actually very simple to make. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, lightly sweet, and perfect for spring gatherings, Easter leftovers, or just a weekend treat.

They also portion nicely into individual cups, which makes them great for entertaining or meal prep desserts.

Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Ingredients

For the shortcake crumble:

1 cup almond flour
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp maple syrup
Pinch of sea salt
½ tsp vanilla extract

For the strawberries:

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
1 tsp lemon juice

For the coconut whipped cream:

1 can full-fat coconut milk, chilled overnight
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

Make the shortcake crumble:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix almond flour, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla in a bowl until crumbly.
Spread onto a baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool.
Prepare the strawberries:
In a bowl, mix sliced strawberries with maple syrup and lemon juice. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to release juices.
Make the coconut whipped cream:
Scoop the thick cream from the top of the chilled coconut milk into a bowl (leave liquid behind).
Add vanilla and maple syrup and whip until fluffy.
Assemble the cups:
Layer shortcake crumble, strawberries, and coconut whipped cream in small cups or jars.
Repeat layers and serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.

This dessert feels indulgent, but it’s balanced in a way that doesn’t usually lead to the heavy, sluggish feeling that many desserts cause. The almond flour adds healthy fats and a bit of protein, the strawberries bring natural sweetness and fiber, and the coconut cream makes it feel rich without dairy.

It’s the kind of dessert that you can enjoy and still feel good afterward.

If you like meals and desserts that don’t leave you bloated, exhausted, or craving more sugar an hour later, the 7-Day Gut Glow was designed for exactly that.