Strawberry Shortcake

My all time favorite dessert!  Love strawberries and whipped cream!  The shortcake just pulls it altogether!  I think I might add a bit more sugar to the whipped cream but I like things sweet!  If your going to indulge then you better have it the way you like it!

this is the definition for indulge: To yield to the desires and whims of, especially to an excessive degree.

Enjoy!  I'm going to!

Strawberry Shortcake

1 1/2 pounds strawberries, stemmed and sliced

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

3 Tbs sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Whipped cream, recipe follows

Direction:

Mix strawberries with 3 Tbs sugar and refrigerate while juices envelop, at least 30 min.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 3 Tbs sugar and salt in a medium bowl.  Add heavy cream and mix until just combined.  Spread mixture in an ungreased 8 in. square pan and bake until golden, 18-20 min.

Remove shortcake from pan and place on a rack to cool slightly.  cut into 6 pieces and split each piece in half horizontally.

Spoon some of the strawberries with their juice onto each shortcake bottom. Top with generous dollop of whipped cream and then the shortcake top.  Spoon more strawberries over the top and serve.

Whipped Cream:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled

3 Tbs sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest

Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until soft peaks form.  about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes!  Yeah!  You'll love this!