This week's TWD was chosen by the fabulous Cathy of The Tortefeasor: tender shortcakes. Cathy does it all - wife, mother, lawyer, baker-extraordinaire and she does it with wit and humor. Her blog is one of my favorites so head on over and check it out. You can find this week's recipe while you're there or, if you happen to have Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours, flip to page 423 to give this one a try.
Making the shortcakes was a lot like making biscuits, meaning it was simple but scared me a bit. I haven't had great luck with biscuits in the past but having had good results with the last recipe I tried, I was hopeful. Though Dorie provided instructions for making the shortcakes by hand, I liked the mixer method I learned from Ina Garten so I used it here (speaking of Ina - did anyone see the episode of Barefoot Contessa recently where she made Jeffrey a special birthday dinner? How cute are they?). Flour, baking powder, salt and sugar are combined then the butter is cut in before finally adding heavy cream to the mix. I made 1/4 of the recipe and wound up with 5 shortcakes, using just slightly less dough than Dorie recommended to shape each one.
To be honest, the shortcakes weren't much to look at when they came out of the oven. They were rustic and unassuming and I wasn't sure what to expect. Mine even got a bit darker on the bottom than I'd have liked and I dare say I was worried they might be a little dry. Of course, the addition of macerated strawberries and freshly whipped cream pretty much guaranteed these would be a hit regardless. Turns out I shouldn't have doubted Dorie - as much as I adore berries and whipped cream, the shortcakes were absolutely the star of this dessert. They were incredibly light and tender, with just the right touch of sweetness. I enjoyed them so much, in fact, that I ate a majority of mine plain. It's pretty exciting to have found this fabulous recipe at the start of berry season - no doubt this is one I'll be turning to frequently this summer! Thanks for a great pick Cathy!
46 comments:
Great minds think alike... and buy the same dishes, it looks like! ;) Great photos, too, T!
beautiful! i love some good strawberry shortcakes!
I did 1/2 batch sweer, 1/2 batch not so sweet and made sandwiches!
Post will be up in about 30 mins. buttercreambarbie
you're right abt these being the STAR. they truly were.
I'll admit to eating most of mine plain too--just like a big cookie. Oh so dangerous!
Your shortcakes look delicious!
Yours came out great! I love your pictures and description. Nice post. Really enjoyed reading it!
Everything looks delicious, Tracey! I'll have to check out the "mixer method." I thought about using my food processor, but I really hate cleaning it. The mixer would be perfect.
lovely cakes, tracey! i can't wait to make them this afternoon after all of the rave reviews!
Those look delicious! I love a good summer berry dessert.
Your cakes look great and Im sure they tasted yummy! I used strawberries and whipped topping too.
These were delish! Butter and heavy whipping cream--can't go wrong.
OMG the shortcakes look amazing! I am drooling! Absolutely stunning!!
Your shortcake looks beautiful!
looks great! I loved this recipe as well (and thought the same thing you did wondering when they came out of the oven if they'd be ok or not---wow were they great!)
Beautiful shortcakes. They were gems. I am reading only raves.
Strawberries are just starting to come in here, so I have my eyes open for any and all recipes that use them. Your shortcake brought me here but I stayed to read through your other recipes. I really like your blog and will be back often to see what else you've been baking. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary
Mmmm.... these look SO good. Saw them on The Food Librarian too and I was just drawn right in. I want to take a big spoonful!
Looks heavenly! Can't agree more - the cakes were the star of the show! I can imagine all kinds of possibilities with this cake. Your shortcakes look so fresh and delicious (I never think to shoot outside - what a great idea)!
Strawberry shortcakes always remind me of Spring. I especially like your last picture of the shortcakes piled high with the whipped cream.
I saw that episode...Ina and Jeffrey are totally adorable. Nice shortcakes...I loved this recipe.
tasty! i'll have to look into that mixer method.
Why does whipped cream make everything taste better? Rustic usually tastes better than froo froo stuff.
Tracey, thank you so much for your sweet comments. I think you are pretty great yourself!! Your shortcakes look AMAZING! These are undeniably rustic, but of course you made them look pretty anyway. I am SO glad that you loved these! They totally blew me away too - I was expecting them to be good as part of the whole berries/whipped cream/shortcake ensemble, but I never expected them to be so fabulous on their own. Dorie is a rock star for sure! Beautiful shortcakes, and thank you so much for baking along with me this week!
Great picture! They look delicious!
The shortcakes were absolutely the star of the show! Our strawberry season is drawing to a close, so I'll have to move up the coast for more fresh berries.
Mmmmm, SCRUMPTIOUS! :) Petra
I love rustic looks. Your shortcakes looks very delicious with the cream and strawberries.
I made 1/4 of the recipe and got 5 too! Yours look fantastic, and I'll be making these again this berry season for sure.
Tracey, that top photo is absolutely luscious and drool worthy! Beautiful. Loved this one, too!
They sound awesome! I'm sorry I didn't get to these this week.
Ina and Jeffrey are great - I've seen a couple of episodes where they're celebrating their anniversary and they're so cute.
That's what I love about Ina - everything :) I wasn't so sure about this either, since I have a go-to shortcake recipe, but they really were a hit!
Tracey, Isn't it so fabulous to have these in the freezer for a quick summer sparkling dessert. People will think you are sooooo talented. Well, you are! Anyway, yep, I love how Ina always giggles. I just think she is so approachable. I love her episodes as well. Very dear, those two. Your shortcakes really look perfectly delicious. I agree, I think they are wonderful.
AmyRuth
The phrase "the start of berry season" makes me happy. I think your shortcakes look perfect.
I am sooo looking forward to making these - late! Yours look fantastic!!!
Beautiful picture. I need to take lessons from you!!!
Looks perfect!
The shortcakes look beautiful! I thought this was such a great seasonal choice. I only made a quarter recipe as well and I'm glad I left it at that 'cos these are too good.
Yours are beauty queens compared to mine, which were lumpy, bumpy and a little too browned, but still delicious. I love Ina's mixer method and though I didn't use it with these since I only made 1/6th of the recipe, I'll definitely use it next time based on your recommendation.
Great looking shortcakes! I ate mine plain too, it's really delicious!
I loved these too- I won't be as stressed as normal biscuit making with this recipe!
I never think shortcakes are very pretty...but they always taste so good! :)
Beautiful cakes! I'll have to investigate Ina's mixer method. Now, why are we all still scared of biscuits/shortcakes? I have to admit finally that they're not too hard to make!
They look perfect!
So adorable! And simple. Looks like a great dessert for the summer, light and quick to make!
i agree - these were simple and delicious. lovely plating
Your first picture is beautiful! I used a touch of fresh nutmeg and a splash of almond extract. Very fragrant!
Gorgeous...I think yours look like absolute perfection. I can't be making these too often...too much temptation. Or maybe I should make mini ones and give into a certain amount of temptation.
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