Strawberry Shortcake

My parents came to visit me this weekend. They like to visit and barbecue and I like to have them to manual labor in return. My dad helped me replace my front door and my mom cleaned and cooked. It was pretty sweet. On one trip to the grocery store we noticed that strawberries were in season and on sale. 2lbs for the price of 1. So my mom shared my Grandma Dot’s recipe for Strawberry Shortcake.

Doesn't that look fabulous.  Strawberry Shortcake with whipped cream.
Doesn't that look fabulous. Strawberry Shortcake with whipped cream.

Strawberry Shortcake (from Grandma Dot)

  • 2 lbs fresh strawberries
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup margerine
  • 1.5 tbs baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Remove the stems from the strawberries and then quarter the strawberries.

Stawberries de-stemed Strawberries Quartered

Now using a hand chopper or pastry blender crush the strawberries till slightly chunky.  Once crushed add 1/2 cup of sugar.  If you like a bit more feel free to sweeten them up a bit more.  Once crushed and sweetened, place in the refrigerator to let the strawberries and sugar meld.

Crushing Strawberries Adding Sugar

Now it is time to make the shortcake.  In a bowl add the 2 cups of flour, 1.5 tbs of baking powder, 3/4 tsp of salt and remaining 1/2 cup of sugar.  Stir to mix the dry ingredients.  Then add the 3/4 cup of margerine.  3/4 cups of margerine is 1.5 sticks.  Using a pastry blender or hand chopper mix the ingredients until the butter and flour mixture looks like pea sized pieces.

Incorporating Butter Pea sized pieces

Once the butter is fully incorporated add the 2 eggs and the 1/2 cup of milk.  Mix by hand.  You do not want to work the dough too much or else it will not be fluffy.  The batter will be a bit lumpy, but that is alright.

The dough will be a bit lumpy but that is how to do it.
The dough will be a bit lumpy but that is how to do it.

Scrape the dough out onto a greased or parchment lined 9 inch round or 9 inch square baking pan.  Place in the oven and bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Remove from the oven when a toothpick can be inserted into the center of the cake and removed cleanly.

The top is golden brown and there is a bit of cracking on the surface.
The top is golden brown and there is a bit of cracking on the surface.

It is best to eat right away while the shortcake is warm.  Otherwise let cool and microwave for 20-30 seconds to get the cake hot before serving.   I usually cut the cake in half, ladle strawberries over the top of the first layer. Add whipped cream to the first layer.  Then add the second half of the cake and add strawberries and whipped cream again.

Layered to perfection
Layered to perfection

The shortcake is light and fluffy.  The cake is not too sweet so it balances perfectly with the sweetened strawberries.  The next time that you see that strawberries are on sale I hope you get a chance to make this.  It is awesome!!

Rex

Rex is an avid griller, barbecuer and bacon enthusiast. He is the Pitmaster for the Rex BBQ competition team. Rex was also featured on the TV show American Grilled. If you have any questions or wish to have Rex decode your favorite dish, click on the ASK REX link in the menu above.

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