Strawberry Shortcake

Cookbook Category: Desserts

This recipe, which is from a longer article about Strawberry Shortcake, makes six individual shortcakes or one 8-inch shortcake that is sliced and served like a layer cake. Either way, you have a delicious dessert that makes a beautiful presentation.

5 cups sliced strawberries
6 tablespoons sugar

1-1/2 cups heavy cream (whipping cream)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
1 tablespoon milk, if needed

Softened butter

Several hours before serving time, slice the strawberries. Mash one cup of the strawberries with a potato masher. Stir the mashed berries and juice back in with the rest of the berries. Sprinkle the 6 tablespoons sugar over the berries, stir a few times and keep at room temperature until serving time.

Whip the 1-1/2 cups heavy cream to soft peaks, adding the 2 tablespoons sugar while the mixer is running. Gently fold in the vanilla when the cream is whipped. Refrigerate until serving time.

Preheat oven to 450°F degrees. If you are making an 8-inch layer shortcake, butter an 8-inch cake pan.

Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture has the consistency of coarse crumbs. Combine the beaten egg with the cream and pour over the dry ingredients all at once. Stir briefly just until mixture comes together. If mixture seems dry, stir in 1 tablespoon milk.

For the 8-inch layer shortcake, lightly press the dough into the buttered cake pan, leaving the edges slightly higher than the center. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on rack for 5 minutes.

For individual shortcakes, turn dough out on a floured surface and knead and fold 6 or so times. Gently pat the dough to a thickness of 3/4 inch. Cut 3-inch rounds with a cookie cutter. Gather the scraps back together and knead lightly until you have at least six rounds and have used all the dough. Place rounds 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool baking sheet on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

To serve either size shortcake, split and butter the shortcake with the softened butter. Spoon strawberries and whipped cream between the layers and over the top. Serve at once while still warm.