Mini Berry Shortcakes Food

MIXED BERRY SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• For the biscuits: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt to the bowl of a food processor (or a large bowl). Add the butter pieces and pulse until the butter is completely cut into the flour mixture (or use a pastry cutter if using a bowl). Combine the buttermilk and vanilla in a measuring cup and while pulsing (or stirring) the dough, drizzle in the buttermilk mixture until the dough just comes together and is no longer crumbly.
• Drop the mixture in 8 clumps between 2 baking sheets, then bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• For the berries: Wash the berries, slice the strawberries and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle on the granulated sugar, then add the orange zest and juice. Stir gently, then set aside for 15 to 20 minutes to allow a syrup to develop.
• For the sweet yogurt cream: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream, yogurt, granulated sugar and brown sugar on high until stiff. (Note: It won't get quite as stiff as regular whipped cream.)
• To serve, lay one biscuit on a plate, top with syrupy fruit, then top with a good spoonful of cream.

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.

PICNIC BERRY SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water. Add 1 cup strawberries; mash mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lime zest. Transfer to a small bowl; refrigerate, covered, until chilled., Cut sponge cakes crosswise in half; trim the cakes to fit in the bottoms of 4 wide-mouth half-pint canning jars. In a small bowl, mix blueberries and remaining strawberries; spoon over cakes. Top with sauce. If desired, serve with whipped topping.

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.)

PERFECT BERRY SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat to 425 degrees. Mix flour, salt, baking powder and 3 Tbs. sugar in a medium bowl. Grate 2 Tbs. of the butter on the coarse holes of a box grater into dry ingredients; toss to coat. Repeat grating and tossing with remaining butter. Combine egg and half-and-half; pour into flour mixture. Toss with a fork to form large clumps. Lightly press clumps into a ball; add a teaspoon more half-and-half to the bowl if dough won't come together.
• Turn dough onto work surface; press into an 8-by-4- to 5-inch rectangle. Cut into 6 squares, placing them 1 inch apart on a small baking sheet. (Can be refrigerated up to 2 hours before baking.) Before baking, brush tops with optional egg white for a particularly attractive sheen. Sprinkle with remaining 2 Tbs. sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool until warm, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Mix thawed and fresh berries with sugar in a bowl; let stand until sugar dissolves. With a hand mixer, beat cream to soft peaks, gradually adding 1 Tb. sugar, then vanilla.
• Split each cake crosswise; spoon a portion of berries over each cake bottom, then a dollop of whipped cream over berries. Cap with cake top and serve immediately.