Simply Wanderfull
If you are visiting the beautiful state of Florida between January to April you need to visit the Parkesdale Farmers Market for a taste of the World Famous Strawberry Shortcake! Located in Plant City Florida, a short drive from Tampa along the Highway 4 towards Orlando. Its easy access just off the highway so easy to pop in for this delicious sweet treat! If you are visiting the area between late February to early March you can also check out the Florida Strawberry Festival! The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City is an annual 11-day event celebrating the strawberry harvest, featuring entertainment, exhibits, and delicious strawberry treats. If strawberries are your thing, you need to check this out!
If you are visiting Florida, you may want to read my other related articles: Key West: The Ultimate Happy Hour Guide & Tour, and 10 Things To Do In Naples and Southwest Florida Off The Beach, 30 Best Restaurants: Ft.Myers, Bonita and Naples.
Berries & Memories: Strawberries & our Family
A quick walk down memory lane…We were so excited to finally visit Parkesdale farms and the Plant city area as my in-laws have been talking about this place for years and especially how good the strawberry shortcakes were! The Plant city area is where all the Florida Strawberries are grown, picked and shipped all around the United States and Canada! Strawberries have been our business and our life for generations. We owned Josephs Farm Market fresh fruit & vegetable markets in Windsor, Ontario. Our family business started by selling strawberries on street corners, which then flourished into 3 bustling fruit & vegetable markets in our city. We sold our business a couple years ago but the memories will always be cherished. This visit to the Plant city area and Parkesdale Market was very exciting and close to my heart.
Visiting the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City is a treat for all senses. This 11-day celebration, held annually since 1930, offers a mix of entertainment, culture, and delicious food. Enjoy fresh strawberries prepared in every way imaginable, from classic shortcake to innovative desserts. The festival also features live music performances, thrilling rides, and exhibits showcasing agriculture, crafts, and local art. With its family-friendly atmosphere and affordable admission prices, it’s a great event for visitors of all ages.
The annual Strawberry festival will take place from February 27-March 9, 2025. Download the Florida Strawberry Festival brochure here.
Parksdale Market & The Strawberry Shortcake!
If you’re looking for a fun and delicious outing, head over to Parksedale Farm Market in Plant City for their legendary strawberry shortcake!
This place is a local gem, famous for serving up the sweetest, freshest shortcake you can imagine.
Picture this: a fluffy cake piled high with juicy, sun-ripened strawberries and topped off with a cloud of whipped cream that’s just begging to be devoured. It’s pure bliss in every bite! Also if your a fan of a milkshakes, then you got to try the Strawberry Milkshake! It was honestly so delicious.
The vibe at Parkesdale is super friendly and laid-back, making it the perfect spot to grab a slice (or two) and soak in the cheerful atmosphere. They have a bright strawberry-inspired garden where you can grab a picnic table and enjoy your tasty treats!
Plus, while you’re there, you can explore all sorts of other strawberry goodies—think jams, salsa, strawberry inspired gifts, fresh berries, fresh produce and more!
Whether you’re a strawberry fanatic or just looking for a tasty treat, Parkesdale is the place to be for a sweet day out!e
Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
I love travelling and trying food along the way. I also love to try and re-create delicious dishes in my own kitchen. I needed to re-create this strawberry shortcake at home! After searching the internet for the Parkesdale strawberry shortcake I discovered that the strawberries are simply sweetened with sugar only. Another secret is that the strawberries are sliced paper thin, and they add approximately 1 cup of sliced berries for each strawberry shortcake.
The shortcake is their own secret recipe and its a cross between a pound cake and a biscuit – so interesting. I read that they made this recipe that way to please the people in the Mid-West with the pound cake and then the biscuit would please the people of the south! I have to say they nailed it because I would agree that it was a mix of the two!
The whipped cream is dispensed using a commercial whipped cream dispenser powered with gas. They add as much whipped cream that is possible without it falling over. I really think that the whipped cream piled this high is the real show stopper.
For the purposes of my homemade recipe I decided to use the Sarah Lee Frozen Pound Cake. It was easy, and I really think the strawberries and cool whip are the best part.
Easy Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients
- 1 quart fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp. Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec (optional)
- 1 pkg. Sarah Lee Pound Cake, thawed and sliced into 1/4" wedges
- 1 can Whipped Cream
Instructions
For The Strawberries:
- Slice the strawberries very thin, and sprinkle the sugar and add the grand marnier if you are using it. Gently mix. Let the strawberries sit for at least 30 minutes so the sugar dissolve and to get their taste.
To Assemble:
- To a bowl, add 1 slice of the pound cake. Now add a 1/2 cup of the strawberries. Add another slice of the pound cake and top with another 1/2 cup of strawberries. Now take that whipped cream and pile it as high as you can go without it tipping over. Top with 1 single strawberry for looks and enjoy!
Enjoy Your Sweet Treat!
As your visit to Parkesdale Farm Market comes to a close, you’ll find yourself savouring not just the delightful taste of their world-famous strawberry shortcake but also the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes this place so special.
Whether you’re enjoying the sweet, juicy strawberries piled high on fluffy cake or chatting with friendly staff, every moment is a celebration of Florida’s bountiful harvest. Don’t forget to explore the market for fresh produce and other strawberry treats to take home! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog article! Ask me a question or comment below, I would love to hear from you! Happy Travels!
This is awesome and such great memories of the stores you guys built in Windsor I cherish the years that we where all able to work together.
Ah thanks John and yes I cherish those years for sure and working together was the best👏🥰