Fun and Food: Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberries seem magical and there are plenty of recipes for them. These shortcakes will make you see something new in this tasty and juicy fruit. Sweetened strawberries top buttery shortcakes. Mix it up by tossing together a fresh topping of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Servings: Makes 8 shortcakes

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoonbaking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup cold butter

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/2 cup dairy sour cream

2 tablespoons milk

5 cups sliced strawberries

3 tablespoons sugar

1 recipe Whipped Cream

Recipe

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet and set it aside. Combine flour, the 1/4 cup sugar, the baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine egg, sour cream, and milk in a small bowl. Add to flour mixture, stirring with a fork until it is fairly moistened.

Drop dough into 8 mounds onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until it is golden. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Meanwhile, combine 4 cups of the strawberries and the 3 tablespoons sugar. Mash berries slightly using a potato masher and then set aside. To serve, split shortcakes in half; fill with strawberry mixture and whipped cream. Top with remaining sliced strawberries.

Mixed Berry or Mixed Fruit Shortcakes: Prepare as above, except substitute 5 cups of mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries) or 5 cups mixed fruit (sliced peaches, nectarines, bananas, strawberries, and/or halved grapes) for 5 cups sliced strawberries. Do not mash fruit.

Whole Shortcake: Prepare as above, except transfer all of the dough to a greased 8x1-1/2-inch round baking pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely. To serve, split in half. Spoon half of the whipped cream and strawberries over bottom layer. Replace the top layer. Top with remaining berries and cream. Cut into wedges. Strawberry-Nut Shortcakes: Prepare as above, except stir 1/2 cup chopped walnuts into flour mixture after cutting in butter.