Strawberry Shortcake Bliss! 🍰🍓
A sweet, creamy, and fruity delight that will have everyone coming back for more! Perfect for summer gatherings or a little self-indulgence.
Ingredients (Serves 6-8):
For the Shortcake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cold butter, cut into pieces
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
For the Strawberries:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for sweetening the strawberries)
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Strawberries:
- In a bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the juices to release and create a sweet syrup.
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Make the Shortcake Biscuits:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to be slightly lumpy.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it 2-3 times. Pat it into a rectangle about 1-inch thick.
- Using a round biscuit cutter (or a drinking glass), cut out 6-8 shortcake biscuits. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let them cool slightly.
-
Whip the Cream:
- In a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip, as it can turn into butter.
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Assemble the Strawberry Shortcake:
- Slice the shortcake biscuits in half horizontally.
- Spoon some of the sweetened strawberries with their juice onto the bottom half of each biscuit.
- Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and place the top half of the biscuit on top.
- Garnish with additional whipped cream and a few extra sliced strawberries if desired.
Tips:
- For extra flavor: Add a dash of vanilla extract or a splash of amaretto to the whipped cream for added richness.
- Biscuit Variations: You can also make the biscuits ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for a day or two before serving.
- Make it a treat for a crowd: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re serving more guests.
Enjoy your Strawberry Shortcake Bliss! 🍓🍰 It’s the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and fruitiness that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
