I have loved strawberry shortcake since childhood. There are differing versions, spongecake layers versus biscuit like shortcake. I have taken a liking to the simplicity of the biscuit form of strawberry shortcake as a delicious summer treat that happens to be low in sugar. I feel it is best to make your own whipped cream with organic whipping cream. Here are two recipes I make regularly with ease and great results. The first recipe was first seen in the the Globe and Mail from Lucy Waverman many years ago. The second recipe is gluten free adapted from the Coconut Diet Cookbook.
Simple shortcakes
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar, plus a little extra for sprinkling if desired
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whipping cream
Preheat oven to 400F. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl, mix well. Add whipping cream and stir together with a spoon just until the mixture resembles a ball of dough.
Shape dough into a ball with your hands and press into a disc on a lightly floured surface, flatten to 1/4 inch thickness.
Use a round cutter of your choice (2-3inches) and cut dough into rounds, placing onto a baking sheet. Gather scraps of dough and cut until finished. Brush with tops of the rounds with the dregs of whipping cream and sprinkle with a touch of sugar if desired.
Bake for 20-22 minutes or until tops are golden. Let cool slightly, slice in half and top with whipped cream and strawberries, enjoy!
Makes 4-6 shortcakes depending on the size of cutter you use.
Coconut Shortcakes (gluten free)
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
6 eggs
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 400F. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut oil, eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. Add coconut flour, mix together with a spoon until a batter forms. Pour into muffin tin or silicon baking cups filling just over halfway. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10-15 minutes before slicing in half, serving with whipped cream and strawberries.
