These Mediterranean Twinkie Strawberry Shortcake Cups have a creamy texture and fruity flavor. We prepare these shortcake cups with Twinkies, fresh strawberries, honey, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, crushed pistachios, and mint leaves. These shortcake cups contain approximately 28 g net carbs and 320 calories. We make these shortcake cups in only twenty minutes. These Mediterranean Twinkie Strawberry Shortcake Cups are ideal for quick desserts, summer gatherings, family parties, festive occasions, picnic treats, and sweet cravings. We refrigerate these dessert cups for up to three days and freeze them for nearly one month, so you can prepare them beforehand. You can serve these shortcake cups with Baklava Bites, Pistachio Cookies, Berry Salad, Strawberry Lemonade, or Turkish Coffee.
STATS:
- Course: Dessert
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Diet: Mediterranean
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
- Cook Time: Zero minutes
- Portion Size: 1 dessert cup
- Cooking Mode: No-Bake
- Total Servings: 6
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Total Time: 20 minutes
TOOLS:
- Bowls
- Hand mixer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Dessert cups
- Spoon
- Rubber spatula
INGREDIENTS:
STRAWBERRY LAYER:
- 2 cups strawberries
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice
CREAM FILLING:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
CAKE LAYER:
- 6 Twinkies
GARNISHES:
- 2 tbsp crushed pistachios
- Fresh mint leaves
- Extra strawberry slices
- White chocolate shavings
INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
TWINKIES:
- We use Twinkies to provide these dessert cups a soft cake texture and creamy flavor. You can also use sponge cake, pound cake, angel food cake, or brioche.
STRAWBERRIES:
- Strawberries will give freshness and a juicy texture to these cups. Alternatively, you can use blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or cherries.
GREEK YOGURT:
- We utilize Greek yogurt to make the filling creamy and slightly tangy. As a substitute, you may use plain yogurt, mascarpone, ricotta, or coconut cream.
CREAM CHEESE:
- Cream cheese helps to create a smooth and rich cheesecake-style filling for these dessert cups. You can substitute it with mascarpone, ricotta, or dairy-free cream cheese.
HONEY:
- We use honey to deliver natural sweetness and a Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Alternatively, you can use maple syrup, agave syrup, or regular sugar.
PISTACHIOS:
- Pistachios are used to provide crunch and authentic Mediterranean texture to these shortcake cups. As a replacement, you can use almonds, walnuts, pecans, or granola.
HEAVY CREAM:
- Heavy cream will make the filling texture fluffy and airy. Instead, you may use coconut cream or non-dairy whipped topping.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Stir the lemon juice, sliced strawberries, and honey in a dish, and leave for about ten minutes.
- Include the cream cheese and beat it till becomes smoother.
- Whisk the Greek yogurt, sugar powder, and vanilla essence.
- Add the heavy cream to a different vessel and whip it till gentle peaks appear.
- Carefully whisk in the mixture of cream cheese.
- Make slices of the Twinkies by cutting.
- Make a layer of Twinkie pieces in all the dessert cups.
- Include the strawberries and then the cream filling.
- Make more layers till the cups are filled.
- Garnish them with white chocolate, pistachios, strawberries, or mint leaves.
- Chill them for almost thirty minutes and then serve these shortcake cups.
TIPS:
- Include the orange zest for an additional Mediterranean flavor.
- We utilize cold whipping cream to create a perfect texture.
- Form mini cups for dessert tables or parties.
- Before eating, refrigerate them first for perfect flavor.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
PARTIES:
- Baklava bites
- Pistachio cookies
- Honey almond biscotti
- Olive oil cake
- Greek yogurt parfaits
FRUITS:
- Mixed berry salad
- Watermelon cubes
- Citrus fruit platter
- Grilled peaches
- Pomegranate bowls
BEVERAGES:
- Mint tea
- Turkish coffee
- Strawberry lemonade
- Iced vanilla latte
- Sparkling berry mocktail
DESSERTS:
- Mini cheesecakes
- Chocolate mousse cups
- Fruit skewers
- Tiramisu shooters
- Coconut pudding cups
SNACKS:
- Granola clusters
- Honey-roasted nuts
- Vanilla yogurt dip
- Oatmeal cookies
- Dark chocolate squares
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Keep these shortcake cups in a closed box and stock them for not less than two days.
FREEZER:
- Store these shortcake cups for more than 20-30 days.
FAQs:
Will we prepare these shortcake cups earlier?
- Yes, you can make these shortcake cups one day earlier.
Could we utilize frozen strawberries?
- Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, although defrost them first and then strain out the extra moisture.
May we alternate the Twinkies?
- Sure, you might utilize sponge cake or pound cake as a replacement for Twinkies.
Can children aid in making this?
- It’s a straightforward and no-bake dish.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Calories: 320 kcal
Sodium: 180 mg
Net Carbs: 28 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 20 g
Fats: 19 g
Proteins: 5 g
Portion Size: 1 dessert cup
Total Carbs: 30 g