GERD- and IBS-Friendly Strawberry Shortcake with Gluten-Free Biscuits
Recipe

GERD- and IBS-Friendly Strawberry Shortcake with Gluten-Free Biscuits

Published on Friday, June 17, 2022
by
Lisa Green

Acid Reflux
GERD
IBS
Servings: 8Prep: 16 minsCook: 14 minsTotal: 30 mins

Fresh Strawberry Shortcake with Gluten-Free Biscuits for Sensitive Stomachs


This is my favorite time of year: strawberry season!

Strawberries are one of my favorite berries because they are incredibly versatile. They work beautifully in desserts, smoothies, fruit salsas, or simply on their own as an easy grab-and-go snack. Their natural sweetness and bright flavor make them one of the highlights of summer cooking.

For this strawberry shortcake recipe, I decided to try something new: gluten-free biscuits.

The strawberry sauce is intentionally simple and can easily be repurposed for other dishes as well. It works wonderfully on pancakes, yogurt bowls, oatmeal, or even savory proteins like fish for a sweet and tangy summer flavor boost.

Why This Dessert May Work Well for Sensitive Stomachs

For individuals managing GERD, IBS, or sensitive digestion, desserts can sometimes feel difficult to navigate. Rich ingredients, excessive fat, heavy cream, and high-FODMAP sweeteners may trigger symptoms for some people.

This recipe offers a lighter and more customizable option while still delivering classic strawberry shortcake flavor.

Strawberries are naturally rich in vitamin C, and depending on the ingredients used in the biscuit mix, this recipe may also provide calcium, vitamin A, and potassium.

Because tolerance levels vary from person to person, ingredient flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of homemade desserts.

Low FODMAP Modifications

If you are following a Low FODMAP diet, a few simple swaps may help make this recipe more digestion-friendly.

Using lactose-free buttermilk or lactose-free milk can help reduce lactose intake while still maintaining the biscuits' texture and flavor. If an additional sweetener is needed for the strawberries, Low FODMAP-friendly options such as pure maple syrup or stevia may work well.

As always, portion size and personal tolerance levels remain important considerations for IBS symptom management.

Tips for Making Flaky Gluten-Free Biscuits

I had not made gluten-free biscuits before developing this recipe, but one important principle applies to almost all flaky biscuit recipes: keep the butter extremely cold.

Cold butter is essential because it melts more slowly during baking. As the biscuit dough heats up in the oven, the cold butter creates steam pockets that help form those flaky, layered textures everyone loves in a good biscuit.

When cutting butter into the flour mixture, I like using a bench knife or pastry cutter. The butter pieces do not need to be perfectly uniform—in fact, slightly uneven pieces often help create better texture.

For even flakier biscuits, you can place the butter in the freezer beforehand so it stays as cold as possible while working with the dough.

Homemade Buttermilk Hack

If you do not regularly keep buttermilk in your refrigerator, here is a simple kitchen trick that can save the day.

The day I made these biscuits, I realized I had run out of buttermilk. Fortunately, homemade buttermilk is surprisingly easy to make.

Simply add approximately one tablespoon of white vinegar to the milk and let it sit for about five minutes. The mixture will slightly thicken and mimic the acidity of buttermilk used in baking recipes.

When adding buttermilk to biscuit dough, it is helpful to do so slowly while mixing by hand. Depending on humidity and flour absorption, you may not need the full amount listed in the recipe.

A Flexible Dessert for Summer

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how adaptable it can be.

You can keep it simple with strawberries and biscuits, or personalize it with:

  • Lactose-free whipped topping
  • Greek yogurt
  • A drizzle of maple syrup
  • Fresh mint
  • Blueberries or raspberries in tolerated portions
Desserts do not have to feel overly restrictive when managing GERD or IBS. Sometimes, small ingredient modifications can make favorite seasonal recipes much easier to tolerate while still allowing you to enjoy the foods and experiences you love.

The Bottom Line

Strawberry season is the perfect excuse to enjoy fresh, simple desserts that can be customized for sensitive digestion.

With a few thoughtful ingredient swaps and some baking tips, this gluten-free strawberry shortcake can be a flavorful summer option for individuals navigating GERD, IBS, or Low FODMAP eating patterns.

Most importantly, recipes like this remind us that gut-friendly eating can still feel fun, seasonal, and satisfying.

Strawberry Shortcake with Gluten-Free Biscuits

Servings: 8 servingsPrep: 16 minsCook: 14 minsTotal: 30 minsDifficulty: Medium
AmericanDessertGERD-friendly dessertIBS-friendly recipes
Strawberry Shortcake with Gluten-Free Biscuits

Ingredients

Strawberry Sauce

2 lbs. strawberries

1 lemon or lime (optional)

Honey or agave nectar (optional; if needed)

Gluten-Free Biscuits

2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

1 stick cold unsalted butter

1 cup fat-free buttermilk

Instructions

Gluten-Free Biscuits
1

Preheat oven to 425 F.

2

Cut the butter into small pea size cubes.

3

Mix all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, optional: sugar).

4

Then cut the butter into the dry (I used my hands, you are going to still want lumps of butter throughout).

5

Now add the buttermilk, slowly mixing with your hands. You want the dough to form a ball and pull away from the sides.

6

Now take your ball of dough and place it on your lightly floured countertop. Knead the dough for a couple of minutes, then roll it out with a rolling pin to about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.

7

Using a circular biscuit cutter, cut out your biscuits and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for approximately 12-14 minutes.

Strawberry Sauce
8

Rinse the strawberries under cold water.

9

Cut the stems off.

10

Smash away! I use either a fork or a mashed potato masher (whichever you prefer) to smash the strawberries.

11

Once the smashing is complete, set aside. After the strawberries have sat for a minute, test them to see if any additional flavoring is needed.

12

Now pour the sauce on the "hot out of the oven biscuits" and garnish with whipped cream, as desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

Calories
248
Fat
13.3g
Carbs
32.0g
Protein
1.8g
Fiber
2.3g
Sodium
326.7mg
Sugars
5.5g
Sat. Fat
7.0g

Notes

Garnish with whipped cream, as desired.
Cook time may range between 12-14 minutes, depending on your oven.

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