Flower Shortcakes with Strawberries

A non-traditional shortcake recipe, but perhaps the cutest one you’ll ever make.

Natalie made these for the baby blessing and cut the biscuits into little flowers instead of the traditional rounds. Simply adorable. We eat with our eyes first, after all.

Ingredients

For the strawberries

  • 2 pints ripe strawberries
  • ½ cup sugar

For the shortcakes

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1¼ cups butter, divided
  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Hull the strawberries and cut them in half. Gently crush about one-quarter of the berries with a fork to release their juices. Stir together with the remaining berries and ½ cup sugar. Cover and let sit for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
  2. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Cut ¾ cup softened butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1¼ cups heavy cream until a soft dough forms.
  4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 1 minute. Roll to about ½-inch thick. Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter (or a flower-shaped cutter for a festive touch), cut an even number of biscuits, allowing two per serving.
  5. Butter a baking sheet and arrange half of the biscuits on it. Melt the remaining butter and brush a little over each biscuit. Top each with a second biscuit, creating stacked shortcakes.
  6. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  7. Remove from the oven and gently separate each shortcake into top and bottom halves. Brush the cut sides with the remaining melted butter.
  8. Beat the remaining heavy cream until it begins to thicken. Add the vanilla and continue beating until soft peaks form.
  9. To serve, place the bottom half of each shortcake on a plate. Spoon over whipped cream and strawberries, then top with the other half of the shortcake. Finish with a few extra berries and another dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately.