Friday, July 17, 2009

Because it's summer


The Best Strawberry Shortcake Ever (from Martha Stewart)

4 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup sugar
4 cups flour
4 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
12 T unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
2 cups plus 2 T heavy cream

  1. Put berries in a bowl and add lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar. Let stand till juicy (at least an hour)
  2. Combine 1/3 cup sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
  3. With fork or pastry blender, cut butter into mixture till it resembles coarse meal
  4. Add 2 cups plus 2 T cream
  5. Mix till dough holds together
  6. Transfer to lightly floured surface and pat into 1" thick circle
  7. Use large round cookie cutters to cut dough (I use a glass)
  8. Transfer to parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cover and chill 20 minutes or overnight
  9. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  10. Bake 15 to 18 minutes
  11. Cool slightly on racks
  12. Slice shortcakes open and assemble with berries and whipped cream
(I often halve this.)

3 comments:

the favorite niece said...

Don't forget the option to eat ONLY the shortbread, foregoing berries and whipped cream! Now that the recipe has been made public, I may just have to try and make it.

Barbara O'Connor said...

hahaha - hey, at least he ate the part that was hard to make. If he had just eaten the berries, well.....

http://spoonandink.blogspot.com said...

I just served this to my son and DIL and her parents -- 100% raves. So thanks!