Strawberry and Blueberry Shortcake

Shortcakes are special to me.

My grandmother was the consummate baker of my family. Every year, she made my birthday cake – always a layered strawberry shortcake. Beautiful, simple, and perfect.

She passed away the day before my 13th birthday.

Making this cake was bittersweet for me, but I know that she would have loved it. A light shortcake is smothered in strawberries and blueberries with a luscious, cinnamon-spiked whipped cream. The colors make this a perfect Fourth of July dessert – it is a crowd-pleaser!

Strawberry and Blueberry Shortcake

Loosely adapted from the Food Network

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 1 pint of blueberries
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Combine the strawberries, blueberries, and 1/4 cup white sugar in medium bowl. Refridgerate for at least 30 minutes to allow juices to develop.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1/4 cup white sugar. Add 1 1/2 cups heavy cream and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and mix until just combined. The mixture will be sticky!

4. Divide the batter into 6 round mounds (hehe, “round mounds”) on the cookie sheet. Brush the tops with the melted butter. Bake for 14-17 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool.

5. While the shortcakes are cooling, make the whipped cream. Combine 1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream with 1/4 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl and beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 1-2 minutes.

6. To assemble cakes, cut a shortcake in half. Spoon the fruit mixture on the cake, making sure to include some of the juice. Add a dollop of whipped cream and cover with the other half of the shortcake. Add a couple more berries if you like.

Find more Fourth of July treats here. 

 

 

Tagged as: blueberry, cake, fourth of july, holiday, strawberry