HOW TO MAKE SHORTCAKES FOR STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Pick over and hull strawberries. Cut in half or slice, depending on size. Gently crush about a quarter of the berries with a fork to release their juices. Mix with remaining berries and the 1/2 cup of sugar, adding more sugar if necessary. Set aside, covered, for about half an hour to develop flavor.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Into a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and baking powder. Add 3/4 cup of softened butter, and rub into dry ingredients as for pastry. Add 1 1/4 cups cream, and mix to a soft dough. Knead the dough for one minute on a lightly floured pastry board, then roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut an even number of rounds - 2 rounds per serving.
• Use a little of the butter to grease a baking sheet. Place half the rounds on it. Melt remaining butter and brush a little on the rounds; place remaining rounds on top. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Remove from the oven, and pull shortcakes apart. Brush the insides with some of the remaining melted butter.
• Beat remaining cream until it thickens. Add vanilla. Beat again just until thick.
• Place a bottom half of a shortcake on each plate. Top with a generous spoonful of berries. Cover with a top half, add a few more berries, and top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• 1. Make the Compote: In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, rhubarb, sugar and � cup water. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, until the fruit is soft but not completely broken down, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool while you make the shortcake biscuits. 2. Make the Shortcake Biscuits: Preheat the oven to 400�F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the butter and using your fingertips, work it into the dry ingredients until it's about the size of peas. 4. Using a silicone spatula, stir in the buttermilk until you have a shaggy dough. (There will be a lot of dry spots; that's OK.) Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface and pat it into a roughly �-inch thick rectangle. Using a bench scraper, fold one third of the rectangle toward the center. Repeat with the other side (like you're folding a letter or making a C-fold). Pat the dough into a �-inch thick rectangle; repeat this folding and patting process twice, flouring your hands and the surface as needed. 5. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 20 small biscuits, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the tops with heavy cream and sprinkle with sparkling sugar. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. 6. To assemble, split a biscuit in half crosswise. Add a dollop of whipped cream to the bottom half and top with some of the cooled compote. Top with the biscuit top, another dollop of whipped cream and compote. Repeat with the remaining biscuits. Note: The compote can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.