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Best-Ever Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

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This Best-Ever Homemade Strawberry Shortcake recipe is a delightful summertime dessert featuring scratch-made tender and buttery biscuits, juicy macerated strawberries bursting with flavor, and smooth honey vanilla bean whipped cream. The easy-to-follow recipe ensures a scrumptious treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Macerated Strawberries

  • 2 lbs strawberries, hulled – divided
  • ¼ cup raw cane sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon orange liqueur (e.g., Cointreau) – optional

Shortcake Biscuits

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ¼ cup raw cane sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold & cut into cubes
  • 1 cup half & half, plus more for brushing
  • Demerara or turbinado sugar, for topping – optional
  • Fresh mint leaves, for garnish – optional

Honey Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Macerated Strawberries: Place half of the hulled strawberries into a large bowl and gently press down with a potato masher to break them down slightly, releasing their juices without mashing them completely. Slice the remaining strawberries and stir them into the crushed berries. Add the sugar and optional orange liqueur, mix well, cover, and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally until juices develop.
  2. Make Biscuit Dough: In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt together. Toss in cubed cold butter, coating with flour, then cut the butter into the flour using a pastry blender or fingertips until butter is mostly incorporated and the mixture looks crumbly. Pour in half & half and use your hands to bring the dough together gently; add a tablespoon of flour if sticky until a cohesive dough forms.
  3. Shape Biscuits: Dust your work surface lightly with flour and turn out the dough. Gently knead just until incorporated. Roll or pat the dough into a 9×5 inch rectangle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 6 square biscuits using a knife, or use a 3-inch round biscuit cutter pressed straight down without twisting to avoid sealing edges. Re-roll scraps as needed to get all biscuits.
  4. Chill Biscuits: Place the biscuits spaced about ½ inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill the biscuits in the freezer for at least 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 400°F, rack positioned in the lower middle.
  5. Bake Biscuits: Remove chilled biscuits from freezer. Brush tops with half & half and sprinkle with demerara or turbinado sugar if desired. Bake at 400°F for 20-23 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
  6. Make Honey Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream: In a large chilled bowl, combine cold heavy cream, honey, and vanilla bean paste. Using a handheld electric mixer set to high speed, beat until the whipped cream thickens to a smooth, fluffy consistency, about 4-5 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
  7. Assemble Shortcakes: Slice each biscuit in half horizontally. Place the bottom halves on serving plates, top with a generous spoonful of macerated strawberries, then add a dollop of whipped cream. Cap with the biscuit tops, add another dollop of whipped cream, and garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

  • You can prepare the macerated strawberries up to 4-5 days ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator for convenience.
  • Whipped cream is best made fresh right before assembly to ensure optimal texture and flavor.
  • Do not twist biscuit cutters when cutting to help the biscuits rise properly.
  • If dough feels too sticky, add flour sparingly to maintain biscuit tenderness.
  • For a richer flavor, use raw cane sugar and honey as specified.
  • Use fresh mint leaves as an optional garnish to add brightness and color to the presentation.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/best-ever-homemade-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/