Star Shaped Shortcakes Recipes

STAR-SHAPED SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a Silpat (French nonstick baking mat), and set aside. Into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, sift together flour, 6 tablespoons granulated sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Add butter and zest, and mix on low until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 2 minutes. Combine 1 cup cream with the milk, and add to the mixer bowl. Mix until the dough comes together. Remove dough to a lightly floured surface, and shape into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using a 3-inch star-shaped cutter, cut out 12 stars from the dough. Place stars on prepared baking sheet. Brush lightly with heavy cream, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until the shortcakes are barely brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer shortcakes to a rack to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine berries; sprinkle berries with orange juice and remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Set aside. In another medium bowl, beat the remaining 2 cups cream with the confectioners' sugar using a hand mixer until soft peaks form. Using a serrated knife, split the cakes in half horizontally. Place each bottom half on a plate, and cover with a dollop of whipped cream; top with berries and another dollop of whipped cream. Cover with top shortcake halves, and serve.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE SHORTCAKE STARS

Steps:

• Mix strawberries and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Let stand 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 425°F. Mix Bisquick mix, milk, cherries, 6 tablespoons sugar and the butter until soft dough forms.
• Gently smooth dough into ball on surface sprinkled lightly with Bisquick mix. Knead 10 times. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 3-inch star-shaped or round cutter. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
• Stir blueberries into strawberries. Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in chilled medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Split shortcakes in half. Fill and top with berries and whipped cream.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE SHORTCAKE STARS

Steps:

• Mix strawberries and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Let stand 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 425°. Mix Bisquick, milk, cherries, 6 tablespoons sugar and the margarine until soft dough forms. Turn dough on surface lightly dusted with Bisquick; gently roll in Bisquick to coat. Shape dough into ball; knead 8 to 10 times.
• Roll dough 1/2-inch thick. Cut with floured 3-inch star-shaped cutter. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
• Stir blueberries into strawberries. Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in chilled medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Split shortcakes in half while hot. Fill bottom of star with berries and whipped cream; top with top half of the star. For a special touch, garnish with toothpicks that have miniature American flags.
• Do-Ahead Tip: Before baking the shortcakes, cover and refigerate the cut dough on the cookie sheet for up to 4 hours, or wrap and freeze for up to 48 hours. Bake as directed.