Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

When my four year old daughter was watching an episode of the newly remade Strawberry Shortcake cartoon (much different than the version I remember from my childhood), she asked me if I had ever made a strawberry shortcake. I had to admit that I had not, so off we went to look up the recipe. Being that it was summer, I was fortunate to have fresh strawberries at home, along with all of the other necessary ingredients. In about 45 minutes, my daughter and I had answered her question - yes, I have now made homemade strawberry shortcake, and it was delicious. I combined some of the recipes I found to work for what ingredients I had in my kitchen, and it turned out to be a dessert my kids could not get enough of! To top it off, I even made my own whipped cream.



Strawberry Shortcake

1 package strawberries (about 5 or 6 cups)
1/4 C. sugar

Cake:
2 C. flour
1/3 C. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 C. cold butter
1 egg
3/4 C. buttermilk

In a small bowl, mix the strawberries and sugar. Set aside.

Next, mix flour, sugar and baking powder together in a mixing bowl. Then cut in cold butter until it looks like a crumb consistency. Then add egg and buttermilk, being gentle and try not to over mix. Spread batter into a buttered round 8 inch pan and bake at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes. After it cools, remove cake from pan and cut in half. Stuff the cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Then top it off with a touch of powdered sugar. Voila!

Strawberry Buttermilk Pancakes

Summer has begun in my household. The kids are home, we are sleeping in a little more (maybe pushing it to 7:15 a.m.), which means I am able to actually put a tasty, homemade breakfast on the table that does not come out of a box or from some kind of frozen Eggo container. While strawberries are in season and cheaper to purchase, I stock up. I try to think of recipes that I could incorporate strawberries into. I am not sure that most people are aware how easy it is to make homemade pancakes, comparing it to a store bought powder, add water kind of a mix. It is super easy and fast, and so much better tasting - honest! A plate of strawberry buttermilk pancakes, a cup of hot coffee and kids happily eating their meal makes this mommy one happy camper!


Strawberry Buttermilk Pancakes

1 C. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tb. baking powder
1 egg
1 C. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tb. vegetable oil
3/4 C - 1 C. diced strawberries

Mix flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Add egg, vanilla, milk and oil to mixture, stirring to combine. Do not over stir. Carefully fold in strawberries. Heat pan with non-stick spray and pour batter onto pan. Cook for approx. 4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Top with syrup or butter and enjoy!