Cooking with Brett

Strawberry Shortcake

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
Serves 6

Topping Ingredients:
3 pints Fresh Strawberries (About 6 cups)
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1 cup Whipping Cream

Shortcake Ingredients:
2 cups All-purpose Flour
3 tsp. Baking Powder
3/4 tsp. Salt
2 Tbs. Granulated sugar
1/2 cup Shortening
3/4 cup Milk
1/4 cup Butter, Softened

Preheat the oven to 450-F degrees.
Carefully hull and rinse the strawberries.
Reserve several whole ones for garnish, and slice the remaining berries.
Stir in sugar and set aside.

To prepare the shortcake, whisk together the sifted flour,
baking powder, salt, and the 2 Tbs. sugar.
Cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the milk.
Quickly combine all these ingredients until the dough just barely holds together.
Form the dough into a ball and place it on a lightly floured surface.
Knead the shortcake for about 15 turns, then pat it into a round that's about 1/2-inch thick.
Cut into 3-inch rounds with a cookie or doughnut cutter.
Spread half the rounds with softened butter and place a second round on top of each.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, then cool.

Separate shortcakes (at the buttered layer) and spoon about half the berry-sugar mixture over the bottom layers.
Place the remaining portion of the shortcakes on top of the berries and heap on more berries.

Whip the fresh cream and sweeten with up to 4 teaspoons sugar, if desired.
Spoon whipped cream over the top of the berries and garnish with a whole berry or two.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Kitchen Staff Tip: Don't hesitate to prepare a shortcake dessert with any berries you happen to have available!
For a great red, white, and blue dessert for the 4th of July, try a four-berry mixture --
strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries --
with this recipe.
Just prepare about 6 cups of fruit and lightly crush the berries to release their flavor-filled juices.
Happy Independence Day to all, including the cook!

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