25 June, 2009

Adieu My Beloved Strawberry Season


Before strawberry season totally wraps up, I'd like to slip in one last hurrah recipe I gleaned from the Food Network for Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes. Um, who wouldn't eat their vegetables with this on deck for dessert?

For the Shortcakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 ounces milk chocolate, roughly chopped
2 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
raw or turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

For the Toppings:
1 quart freshly picked strawberries
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup heavy cream

Position a rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make the shortcakes: Whisk the flour, granulated sugar. cocoa powder and salt in a large bowl. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour mixture with a fork to make a shaggy dough (there will be some dry bits). Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; pat flat until 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut into 6 rounds with a knife or cookie cutter, using the scraps for the last cake.

Place the rounds on the baking sheet; freeze for 20 minutes. Beat the remaining egg; brush onto the cakes and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake until firm, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Meanwhile,make the toppings: Toss half of the strawberries with half of the sugar in a bowl; set aside. Place the other half of each in a sauce pan; cook over medium-low heat, mashing with a fork to make a thick puree, about 10 minutes. Cool completely. Whip the cream with a mixer until medium peaks form; swirl in the strawberry puree.

Split the shortcakes in half. Layer some of the strawberry cream and reserved fruit on the bottoms; cover with the shortcake tops. Finish with more strawberry cream and the remaining berries. Makes 6 shortcakes.

Bon Appetit!

8 comments:

  1. I adore summer berries.
    Served like this they go from simple to decadent.

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  2. Dear Allie in Gtown,
    You're the devil. Now I will never look like the sarong model. Thanks for sharing, Denise

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  3. heaven. plain and simple utter glory! thank you for sharing.

    kHm

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  4. Ooh, that sounds amazing.

    You should just come over to Asia - it's always berry season!

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  5. My contribution to delish strawberry desserts! Here!

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  6. We make a mascarpone cheesecake with balsamic strawberry sauce from Epicurious that is beyond belief. Just the strawberries by themselves are amazing!

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  7. how funny ~ our berry season is just ramping up out here in the PNW!

    Thanks for the recipe girlie! I can't wait to try it!

    Love you ~ xoxoxox ~ MT

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