Mimis Shortcake Recipes

MINI TOASTED STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Toss the chopped strawberries, vanilla and 4 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Set aside until syrupy, about 30 minutes.
• Trim off the tops of the whole strawberries. Cut the cake into 1/2-inch-thick slices, then use a 1 1/2-inch-round cookie cutter to cut out 24 rounds.
• Beat the egg white, marshmallow cream, lemon juice, salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with a mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form (the mixture may separate before coming together), about 5 minutes.
• Dip one side of each cake round about halfway into the strawberry syrup and transfer to a baking sheet, syrup-side up. Spoon some of the chopped berries in the center. Top with a dollop of marshmallow cream.
• Swirl the tip of each whole strawberry in the meringue. Press a strawberry, cut-side down, into the marshmallow cream on top of each cake. Toast the meringue with a kitchen torch or broil until golden, rotating as needed. Serve immediately.

TINY STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Position an oven rack at the center of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the cream, lemon juice and lemon zest, and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture just forms a dough. Gather the dough into a ball, and transfer it to a flour-dusted work surface. Pat it into a 1/2-inch-thick circle. Cut out as many mini biscuits as you can with a 1-inch round cookie cutter. Gently press the scraps together, and repeat. Arrange the biscuits 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush them with more cream, and sprinkle with a little sugar.
• Bake 1 sheet of biscuits on the center rack until they are just golden, about 10 minutes; repeat with the second sheet. While they are still warm, use the rounded side of a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon to make an indentation on the top of each. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Toss together the strawberries and jam in a small bowl, and fill each biscuit indentation with some of the mixture. Top with a small dollop of whipped cream and a mint leaf. (The shortcakes can be made and refrigerated up to 2 hours before serving.)

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Pick over and hull strawberries. Cut in half or slice, depending on size. Gently crush about a quarter of the berries with a fork to release their juices. Mix with remaining berries and the 1/2 cup of sugar, adding more sugar if necessary. Set aside, covered, for about half an hour to develop flavor.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Into a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and baking powder. Add 3/4 cup of softened butter, and rub into dry ingredients as for pastry. Add 1 1/4 cups cream, and mix to a soft dough. Knead the dough for one minute on a lightly floured pastry board, then roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut an even number of rounds - 2 rounds per serving.
• Use a little of the butter to grease a baking sheet. Place half the rounds on it. Melt remaining butter and brush a little on the rounds; place remaining rounds on top. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Remove from the oven, and pull shortcakes apart. Brush the insides with some of the remaining melted butter.
• Beat remaining cream until it thickens. Add vanilla. Beat again just until thick.
• Place a bottom half of a shortcake on each plate. Top with a generous spoonful of berries. Cover with a top half, add a few more berries, and top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.

MINI BERRY SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/2 cup whipping cream and the lemon peel until soft dough forms.
• Onto ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by 15 rounded measuring tablespoonfuls. Brush dough with 2 teaspoons whipping cream; sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together strawberries, blueberries and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Let stand until ready to assemble.
• In chilled small bowl, beat 1 cup whipping cream, the powdered sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. To serve, place each shortcake on dessert plate; top evenly with berry mixture and whipped cream. Garnish with mint.