Strawberry Shortcake

Recipe View 5 mins Gather all of your ingredients to ensure a smooth baking process. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch cake pan with butter, then dust it lightly with flour to prevent sticking. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Slice the strawberries and gently toss them with 1/3 cup of white sugar. This process, called maceration, will draw out their juices and intensify their sweetness. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 2 tablespoons of white sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the beaten egg, half-and-half, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix. A few streaks of flour are okay—overmixing leads to a tough cake. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 28 mins Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown, approximately 18 minutes. Let the cake cool partially in the pan for about 10 minutes before inverting it onto a clean work surface. (28 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins While the cake cools, prepare the whipped cream. In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Be careful not to overwhip, as this can result in grainy cream. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Carefully cut the partially cooled cake in half horizontally, creating two layers. Set the top layer aside. Drain the macerated strawberries in a colander placed over a small bowl, reserving the flavorful juice. Brush the strawberry juice evenly over the top of the bottom cake layer to add moisture and enhance the strawberry flavor. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Evenly arrange half of the drained strawberries over the bottom layer of cake. Spread half of the whipped cream evenly over the strawberries. Place the top cake layer over the whipped cream. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins Top with the remaining strawberries and whipped cream. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Enjoy!