Thursday, May 17, 2012

Zesty Strawberry Shortcake







When the birdies start chirpin' early in the morning and the sunbeams bounce off your warm bed blankets, you know SPRING is in the air which means picnic season is on its way! Although we enjoy picnics all year long {making picnic fare and eating at games, in the car etc.} warmer temps mean hikes, bike rides, adventure in the warm fresh air! What do you look forward to when the sun starts to shine and mornings start to become a tad bit warmer?

Here is a quick recipe that beats the storebought variety. It will take you less time to make these yummies than it will take you to take a trip to your local grocery store! The smell of the orange zest baking in these biscuits will entice your children to be members of "the clean plate club"!...with the promise of a healthy dessert to follow!



Zesty Strawberry Shortcake
Lisa Pearson

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. sea salt

Zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened OR Organic All Vegetable Shortening {Spectrum brand}

1 cup whipping cream...sweetened a bit OR Vanilla Soymilk

Extra cream or soymilk
Coarse sugar

DIRECTIONS:

* Mix dry ingredients together.

* Cut in butter and add cream.

* Mix until dough is soft and ingredients are all mixed in. It will look like cookie dough.

* Place six to eight mounds onto a greased baking sheet or SILPAT. Flatten just a bit.

* Brush tops with cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

* Bake at 425* for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: Let cool and wrap each shortcake in a cellophane bag. Tie with a string.

BERRIES:

*Slice four pints of fresh strawberries, add about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sugar...depending on how   sweet the berries are.

*Sprinkle with a little lemon juice.

*Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Slice shortcake in half, add strawberries, top with ice cream or whipped cream or BOTH!!

If you want to make these in advance, just bag the individual wrapped shortcakes by putting them into gallon Ziploc bags and freezing them. They will stay as fresh as the day you baked them!

...OR...you can make lots and lots and lots and have friends over and enjoy it outside!



                                                                            {photo credit...Rob Buster}



Shared with:  stone gable

12 comments:

  1. Hi, Lisa!!! I haven't commented in while but wanted you to know that I am still enjoying your blog. I kinda created a recipe similar to this a couple of weeks ago when we had strawberries. I did not use cream though to moisten the dough. I will definitely try cream the next time. Keep doing the wonderful things you are doing!
    Blessings!
    Judy :)

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    1. Judy...it is always nice to hear from YOU! Thank you for always being so encouraging to me. I hope your weekend is wonderful...please let me know how your shortcakes turn out! :)

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  2. What a great idea...I am definitely going to try your biscuit recipe. The other one was really good! Hard to beat strawberry shortcake for dessert ;-) Love your packaging, again!
    blessings. xx

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    1. Hi Kathy...thank YOU! If you liked the other biscuit recipe, you can always brush it with a bit o' cream and a sprinkle of course sugar. :)

      Sometimes the simplest is best! I just get bored and have to make more work for myself!
      It was so nice hearing from you. Hugs!

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  3. This sounds wonderful. I picked up my first fresh strawberries today...not from our area though-we are still about 6 weeks away from strawberries. Thanks for the recipe- blessings- xo Diana

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    1. Miss Diana...can you just hardly wait for fresh, in season berries? One of summer's favorite offerings for sure.

      You are always most welcome! Xo

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  4. Hmmmm, great idea! I so love all the fresh berries that are available right now. Oh, and it's getting hot here. Just never ready for it but we have had a lovely spring and that's been great!

    HOW do you manage to make everything you make look so cute??? All the little wrappings, packages, ribbons ~ just the best! I need to visit and take lessons. ;-)

    xoxo
    Pat

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    1. Pat...my lil gypsy girl...I think after getting emails over the years and your comment, I will do a post on packaging, because it is simple and takes minutes. :) my momma started me on it and it is so much fun!
      Thank you for always making me smile...enjoy your warm weekend! Xo

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  5. Yum, yum! I love your recipes and ideas! Hope you're doing well, sweet friend! xoxo

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    1. Diana...funny. we are a great team. You love my recipes and I love your decorating and bread boards!! Hope all is well with your family and your new shop. Love to you!

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  6. Looks so good! I have started using almond flour to bake my treats (wasn't loving the gluten free flours) so I am now determined to find a recipe for almond flour strawberry shortcakes! Thanks for the inspiration.
    LL

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    1. Enjoy the hunt. I used almond flour in my granola as opposed to whole wheat...it was so yummy! Happy Friday. Xo

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