Fourth of July Strawberry Shortcake

Today is certainly no Fourth of July, but since the weather forecast is even hotter on Sunday (4th) than today, there's a very very slim chance I'll be turning my oven on! Seriously, I need to invest in some airconditioning. Bedroom and kitchen. I can't cook because it's too hot and I haven't got a good nights sleep in days because it's too warm. Well, fortunately these were a delight to make! Even for a hot day. They only needed 20 minutes in the oven, and preparing them went super fast. “Handle the shortcake dough as little as possible for light, fluffy biscuits.” Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Strawberry Shortcake recipe: MarthaStewart.com

Ingredients:
- 2 pints strawberries, hulled and halved
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups + 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Instructions:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place strawberries in a bowl; sprinkle with lemon juice and ¼ cup sugar. Let stand to release juices, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine remaining ¼ cup sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a fork to cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Whisk together egg and ½ cup + 2 tablespoons cream. Slowly add mixture to dry ingredients; mix with a fork until dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface; pat into a 6-inch square, 1 inch thick. Cut four rounds using a 2 ½-inch cookie cutter. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Whisk together egg yolk and 1 tablespoon cream; brush over tops of biscuits. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on wire racks for 15 minutes.
- To make vanilla whipped cream, place remaining 1 cup cream and vanilla bean in a saucepan over medium heat; scald, and remove from heat. Cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Scrape seeds into cream, and discard pod. Pass cream mixture through a fine strainer into a bowl set in a large bowl of ice and water. Let stand until completely cold. Transfer to a large chilled metal bowl; add confectioners’ sugar. Whip by hand into soft peaks (an electric mixer can curdle the cream), about 5 minutes.
- To assemble, slice the shortcakes open while warm with a bread knife. Divide strawberries and liquid among bottom halves of shortcakes; top with large dollops of vanilla whipped cream and upper halves of shortcakes, and serve.


Red, White & Blue dessert!

I think these are pretty perfect for Fourth of July. Shortcake is such an American classic, strawberry season is here, and who can resist vanilla whipped cream?

For non-American readers, a shortcake resembles much of a biscuit. Buttery and flaky, and along with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, these are sure to satisfy your appetite!

Last man shortcake standing!