Sublime Strawberry Shortcake

I had an absolute abundance of strawberries last weekend and ended up making 13 jars of jam, 4 bottles of strawberry syrup and a couple of jars of Indian spiced strawberry chutney.  It was great fun.  Of course we had a good few strawberries leftover that needed to be enjoyed as well.  What better way to enjoy strawberries than with a light and fluffy vanilla shortcake and luscious vanilla whipped cream?

Strawberry shortcake with strawberry coulis and vanilla cream

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 6 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tbsp sugar

To serve:

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups hulled strawberries

Pre-heat oven to 375F/190C.

Combine the flour, 1/3 cup sugar and baking powder, lifting it high to aerate.  Crumble in the butter with your fingers until it resembles small breadcrumbs. Add in the egg yolks, cream and vanilla extract and mix until it forms a ball.  

Roll out the dough to 3/4 inches thick on a floured surface.  Shape into a circle. Slice the circle in half twice then split those halves so you have eight segments.

Brush each segment with melted butter and sprinkle with the sugar.  Bake for about 15 minutes until they're beginning to brown and are firm-ish.

To serve, whip the cream to desired consistency adding vanilla and sugar towards the end.  Serve 1/4 cup strawberries, a dollop of cream with one shortcake. The perfect summer treat!

Parties: Sweet Tooth Friday, Sweets this Week, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin It Friday, Friday Favourites, Fantastic Friday, Fun with Food Friday,