Strawberry Shortcake

Have you ever made shortcake from scratch? I never had until today---it's a cinch to make, doesn't take much time and is so worth the effort! I made this for a very late night study break tonight for my kids and they LOVED it!

Strawberry Shortcake

2 cups flour
5 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons butter
1 egg
1/2 cup whole milk

1 pint strawberries, sliced, with an added teaspoon of sugar

In large bowl, combine flour, 3 tablespoons of sugar, baking powder and salt.  Grate the butter into flour mixture.  Grating is a tricky way to get the butter incorporated while keeping it cold! Use whisk to combine butter into the flour so that it resembles course meal. In measuring cup, mix egg with milk.  Pour into flour mixture. Combine with rubber spatula until large clumps form.

Put mixture on floured work surface and lightly knead until it comes together. Don't overwork the dough.
Pat dough into 9 x 6 inch rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Flour a 2 3/4 inch biscuit cutter or glass and cut into rounds. Place on non greased baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining sugar.
Bake at 425° for 12 minutes.

Slice strawberries and add a dash of sugar. Assemble with whipped cream and enjoy!!

Whipped Cream
1 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

In chilled bowl, add cream and beat together until small bubbles form. Add sugar and vanilla and continue whipping until cream doubles in volume and is smooth and thick.

adapted from this recipe