Summer Fruit Shortcakes for 8

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 pint fresh cherries, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 cups whipped cream

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

20 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (easy to medium)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add butter pieces to the dry ingredients and use your fingers to work it in until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a circle about 1/2-inch thick.
7. Cut the dough into 8 shortcakes and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. While the shortcakes are baking, prepare the cherry filling. In a medium bowl, combine cherries, sugar, and cornstarch.
10. Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the cherry mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
11. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
12. To assemble the shortcakes, split them in half and top each bottom half with a scoop of cherry filling. Place the top half on top and serve with whipped cream.

Nutritional Information:

Serving size: 1 shortcake

Calories: 350 Fat: 15g (saturated fat 9g) Cholesterol: 70mg Sodium: 220mg Carbohydrates: 45g (sugar 25g) Protein: 5g

Dish Characteristics:

• Sweet, tart, and juicy
• Flaky and tender shortcakes
• Light and airy whipped cream
• Perfect for summer parties and picnics

User Comments:

• "These shortcakes are the perfect summer dessert! They're light, refreshing, and so easy to make."
• "I love the combination of the sweet cherries and the tangy whipped cream."
• "These shortcakes are a real crowd-pleaser. I always make them when I'm having a party."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• To prevent the shortcakes from getting too brown, tent them with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
• Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this will make the shortcakes tough.
• If you don't have fresh cherries, you can use frozen cherries. Just thaw them before using.
• For a more decadent dessert, top the shortcakes with vanilla ice cream instead of whipped cream.