Ingredients:
- 4 cups Fresh Strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar (for biscuits)
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, very cold, cut into small cubes
- 3/4 cup Heavy Cream (or Buttermilk)
- 1 large Egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp Heavy Cream or Milk (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp Coarse Sugar (for sprinkling)
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream, very cold (for topping)
- 2 tbsp Powdered Sugar (for topping)
- 1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
- Combine the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (macerate), stirring occasionally, to release the juices.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, 1 tbsp sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Cut in the very cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
- Pour in the heavy cream (or buttermilk). Mix just until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it into a rough rectangle, fold it in thirds, and pat it down again. Repeat this fold/pat 1-2 more times for flakiness. Pat the dough to about 3/4-inch thickness.
- Use a 2-inch round biscuit cutter to punch straight down (do not twist) and place the biscuits onto the prepared sheet.
- Whisk the egg and 1 tbsp cream for the egg wash. Lightly brush the tops of the biscuits and sprinkle generously with coarse sugar.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until risen tall and golden brown. Cool slightly on a wire rack.
- While biscuits cool, whip the very cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
- To assemble the Strawberry Shortcake: Carefully slice each biscuit horizontally. Place the bottom half on a plate, spoon generously with macerated strawberries and juices, top with whipped cream, place the biscuit top on, and finish with more cream.