Strawberry Shortcakes

After making a yummy strawberry shortcake cake for a client last weekend, I was craving traditional strawberry shortcakes.  I wanted to make them at home which meant that I had to find a super simple recipe, since basically all of my equipment is located in my baking kitchen.  Well I found an easy recipe (from of my old-time favorite Gourmet) which was actually a little healthier than a lot of the others (it has buttermilk which is naturally lowfat vs. heavy cream or whole milk).  This recipe was not only easy it made the most delicious and moist biscuits I have ever had!  If you are looking for a simple Mother's day dessert to put together for your mom this would be great!

Strawberry Shortcakes - Adapted from Gourmet Magazine

Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
1 cup well-shaken buttermilk

Strawberries

3 cups strawberries

2 tablespoons sugar

Whip Cream 

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup confectionate sugar

Note: I did make this in my kitchen with an electric mixer if you want to make this no fuss you can buy cool whip but it does not compare to home-made whip cream!

Preheat oven to 450°F.

1. Slice your thinly slice your strawberries, place them in a bowl and toss with the sugar.  Let them sit so they form a great syrup!

2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Blend in butter with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk and stir just until a soft, sticky dough forms.

3. Drop dough in 6 mounds about 2 inches apart on an ungreased large baking sheet and bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer biscuits to a rack and cool to warm, about 10 minutes.

Note: These look small when you are making them, but they puff up.  You could probably make them a little smaller and stretch the recipe to get 8-10 out of it.

4. Beat cream together with sugar in a large bowl(it helps to chill the bowl first) with an electric mixer until it holds soft peaks.

5. When the biscuits are ready you can assemble them!  Carefully cut biscuits in half horizontally and arrange 1 bottom half, split side up, on each of 6 plates. Top each with berries, whipped cream, and other half of biscuit.

Enjoy!!