RECIPE | Strawberry Shortcake

This old-fashioned American dessert is a summertime classic, but to achieve a delicious shortcake it is all about the strawberries. Those peak summertime strawberries bursting with juices that are so sweet you can smell them from a distance before you even pick them up to your nose. Finding good strawberries are imperative here, worth the trip to the local farm stand and back again. In the recipe, I take the extra step of slightly cooking down half the strawberries fo a compote, because it results in a beautiful glossy red syrup that festoons the top and runs down the whipped cream.

The recipe for the biscuits is a family favorite that I have been making with my grandparents since I was little. These are tender, flaky, light biscuits that aren’t too heavy for after dinner. My mom tells the story that growing up, on the special occasion, her brothers and sister would come down for dinner to find out that strawberry shortcake was their dinner for which they were thrilled. So try making this recipe and surprise your family!