Strawberry Shortcake

Celebrate your mom by making this delicious treat for her. Sweetened strawberries and a warm rich dough come together for the perfect summer bite.

Filling Ingredients:

• 2 pints strawberries (rinsed, hulled, sliced)
• 1/3 cup sugar

Shortcake Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Optional: 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter (cold)
• 5 tablespoons shortening (or use all butter)
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
• Garnish: whipped cream (sweetened with a little confectioners' sugar if desired)

Instructions:

1. Prep strawberries in a large bowl by sprinkling them with 1/3 cup sugar. Cover and let stand for 1 hour before serving.
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
3. Use a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
4. Add in shortening and the 6 tbsp of butter until the mixture reaches a fine crumb consistency. Then add milk and stir with a fork until the flour mixture is moistened.
5. Knead the dough on a floured surface until just soft enough. 3 to 5 times should do the trick.
6. Divide the dough into two portions. Place each in a 8 or 9 inch round cake pan and roll them out to fit. Brush the dough with melted butter.
7. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until browned. Then brush each layer with more butter while it sits there warm.
8. Place one layer and top with a sweetened bowl of strawberries and juice from sitting. Place the second layer and add more remaining strawberries. Top with whipped cream, and slice into your piece of heaven!