Family Spice Recipe for Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberry Shortcakes

recipe from The Williams-Sonoma Collection: Dessert

 

This essential summer dessert is also the easiest to make. Because you are making shortcake biscuits, the dough requires very little mixing. In fact, the less you handle it the better! Too much kneading and you will have a tough biscuit instead of a soft, flakey one.

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 TBS sugar
  • 1 TBS baking powder
  • 1 tsp lemon zest, grated
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cups strawberries, sliced
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups whipped cream

 

  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together:
    • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 TBS sugar
    • 1 TBS baking powder
    • 1 tsp lemon zest, grated
    • 3/4 tsp salt
  3. Using a pastry blender or knife, cut in:
    • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  4. You want the butter-flour pieces to be no larger than the size of a pea.
  5. Add in and mix with a fork or spatula until blended:
    • 3/4 cup buttermilk
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  6. Turn the wet dough onto a lightly floured work surface.
  7. Gently press the dough into a thick rectangle, approximately 6 by 4-inches. Do not over knead the dough.
  8. Cut dough into 6 equal squares.
  9. Place the squares onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them well apart.
  10. Baked until biscuits are golden, around 15-18 mins.
  11. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack to cool.
  12. Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, toss together:
    • 4 cups strawberries, sliced
    • 1/4 cup sugar
  13. Cover the berries and refrigerate until well chilled.
  14. To serve, split the shortcakes in half horizontally and place the bottom halves, cut side up onto serving plates.
  15. Spoon some strawberries, including the juices, over each half.
  16. Top each cake with: Family Spice Recipe for Strawberry Shortcakes
  17. Place the top halves of the shortcakes over the cream, cut side down.
  18. Serve immediately.

 

 

 

Prep Time: 20 min

Cook Time: 40-45 min

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 6

Serving Size: 1 biscuit with 2/3-cup of strawberries

Serving Suggestions: You can also top each cake with other fruits that are in season, like blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or peaches. Also try them with Gingered Rhubarb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't have buttermilk? Substitute by mixing together 3/4 cup of milk with 3/4 TBS of white vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice.

 

 

 

 

 

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