Party-Perfect Strawberry Shortcakes

Yield: 9 shortcakes

Ingredients

• 1  (16-ounce) container fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/2  cup  sugar, divided
• 2 1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 4  teaspoons  baking powder
• 3/4  cup  butter or margarine, cut into pieces
• 2  large eggs
• 1  cup  sour cream
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 2  tablespoons  sugar
• 2  tablespoons  strawberry jam
• 1/4  teaspoon  chopped fresh mint
• Garnishes: fresh mint leaves, strawberry halves

Preparation

Combine sliced strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar. Cover strawberry mixture, and set aside.

Combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, and 1/4 cup sugar; cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture is crumbly.

Whisk together eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead 6 times. Pat dough into an 8-inch square; cut into 16 (2-inch) squares. Place dough on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake at 425° for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden.

Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy, and gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, beating mixture at high speed until stiff peaks form.

Remove shortcakes from oven, and split in half horizontally. Combine strawberry jam and chopped mint; spread cut sides of bottom shortcake halves evenly with jam mixture, and top evenly with half of strawberry mixture. Cover mixture evenly with whipped cream; top with remaining strawberry mixture and remaining shortcake halves. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately.

Round Shortcakes: Pat dough toa 1/2-inch thickness, and cut with a 3-inch round cutter. Place dough on a lightly greased baking sheet, and proceed with recipe as directed. Makes 12 servings.

Shortcake Shortcut: Combine 1 (16-ounce) container strawberries, sliced, and 1/4 cup sugar; cover and set aside. Brush 9 large frozen biscuits with 3 tablespoons melted butter. Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; sprinkle over biscuits. Bake according to package directions. Serve immediately, with strawberry mixture and whipped cream, to 8 happy friends.