NY Times Strawberry Shortcake
NY Times Strawberry Shortcake
There's a kind of magic in a summer recipe that you can make wherever you are, provided that wherever you are has, say, flour, butter, an oven and whatever fruit is most glorious at that very moment. This is one such recipe, so simple that you can decide that you're having shortcake for dessert and make it so within the hour, and so satisfying that it may become your go-to for summer, the recipe you keep in your back pocket. Strawberries are the classic choice, but this would also be heavenly in high summer with very ripe peaches or any other juicy, macerated fruit.
Ingredients
- 2 pints ripe, well-rinsed strawberries
- ½ cup sugar or more to taste
- 4 cups flour
- 3 tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 5 tsp baking powder
- 1¼ cups butter softened
- 3 cups whipping cream
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Prep Strawberries
- Pick over and hull strawberries. Cut in half or slice, depending on size.
- Gently crush about a quarter of the berries with a fork to release their juices.
- Mix with remaining berries and the ½ cup of sugar, adding more sugar if necessary.
- Set aside, covered, for about half an hour to develop flavor.
Prepare Shortcake
- Preheat over to 450°F
- Into a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and baking powder.
- Add ¾ cup of softened butter, and rub into dry ingredients as for a pastry.
- Add 1¼ cups cream, and mix to a soft dough.
- Knead the dough for one minute on a lightly floured pastry board, then roll it out to about ½-inch thickness.
- Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut an even number of rounds - 2 rounds per serving.
- Use a little of the butter to grease a baking sheet. Place half the rounds on it.
- Melt remaining butter and brush a little on the rounds; place remaining rounds on top.
- Take for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and pull shortcakes apart. Brush the insides with some of the remaining melted butter.
Assemble the Shortcakes
- Beat remaining cream until it thickens. Add vanilla. Beat again just until thick.
- Place a bottom half of a shortcake on each plate. Top with a generous spoonful of berries. Cover with a top half, add a few more berries, and top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.
Notes
TIP: Extra shortcakes may be frozen, but they should be warmed before using. They are also good toasted for breakfast or tea.
This recipe is from the New York Times Cooking website (https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/11823-strawberry-shortcake). Originally appeared in "Jane Grigson's Fruit Book" and was adapted by Nancy Harmon Jenkins.