Classic Strawberry Shortcake
With juicy strawberries spooned over sweet and tender biscuits, old-fashioned strawberry shortcakes are the perfect springtime dessert. If the berries are very sweet, decrease the sugar to suit your taste. Drop the dough easily by using a lightly greased 1/3-cup dry measure.
Yield: Makes 8 servingsPrep Time: 25 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Ingredients:
| 2 16 | 2 (16-oz.) containers fresh strawberries, quartered |
| 3/4 cup | sugar, divided |
| 1/4 teaspoon | almond extract (optional) |
| 1 cup | whipping cream |
| 2 tablespoons | sugar |
| 2 3/4 cups | all-purpose flour |
| 4 teaspoons | baking powder |
| 3/4 cup | cold butter, cut up |
| 2 | , large eggs, , lightly beaten |
| 1 (8-ounce) container | sour cream |
| 1 teaspoon | vanilla extract |
| garnish: fresh mint sprigs |
Directions:
1. Combine strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and, if desired, almond extract. Cover berry mixture, and let stand while making biscuits.
2. Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 2 Tbsp. sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Cover and chill .
3. Combine flour, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl; cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly.
4. Whisk together eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop dough by lightly greased 1/3 cupfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. (Coat cup with vegetable cooking spray after each drop.)
5. Bake at 450° for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden.
6. Split shortcakes in half horizontally. Spoon about 1/2 cup berry mixture onto each shortcake bottom; top each with a rounded Tbsp. chilled whipped cream, and cover with tops. Serve with remaining whipped cream. Garnish, if desired.
Strawberry Jam Shortcakes: Prepare recipe as directed. Before topping shortcake bottoms with strawberry mixture, stir together 1/4 cup strawberry jam and 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint. Spread cut sides of bottom shortcake halves evenly with jam mixture. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Source: myrecipes.com
