To make a classic strawberry shortcake, you will need the following ingredients:

For the shortcake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the strawberries:

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
  • Whipped cream for serving

Now, here’s a step-by-step guide to making strawberry shortcake:

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
  3. Add the cold butter pieces to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. In a separate small bowl, mix the milk and vanilla extract together. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it a few times until it becomes smooth. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
  6. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thickness. Use a round biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out individual shortcakes. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Bake the shortcakes in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
  8. While the shortcakes are cooling, prepare the strawberries. In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries and granulated sugar. Stir gently to coat the strawberries with sugar. Let them sit for about 15 minutes to release their juices and macerate.
  9. Once the shortcakes have cooled, split them in half horizontally using a sharp knife.
  10. To assemble, place the bottom half of a shortcake on a plate. Spoon a generous amount of strawberries over the shortcake. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Place the top half of the shortcake on top and add more strawberries and whipped cream, if desired.
  11. Serve the strawberry shortcakes immediately and enjoy!

Note: You can also add additional layers of strawberries and whipped cream between the shortcake layers if you prefer a more decadent dessert.

Image from Wikipedia