MINT STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup salted butter, chilled and cubed
• 2 cups whipping cream, divided
• 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
• 2 tbsp milk (2%)
• 3 cups sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp slivered fresh mint
• 2 tbsp icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. To prepare shortcakes, place flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor; process to combine. Add butter and process, using an on/off motion, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 cup cream and lemon peel; process just until dough starts to come together.
3. Gather dough into a ball and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead dough gently 5 times. Dough will be soft. Roll out dough 3/4 inch thick. Using a floured 3 inch cookie cutter, cut dough into 6 rounds.
4. Place rounds on an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush tops with milk.
5. Bake until golden brown, about 20 - 25 minutes. Remove shortcakes from cookie sheet and cool completely on a rack.
6. Combine strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar and mint in a bowl. Let stand for 20 minutes.
7. Using medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together remaining 1 cup cream, icing sugar and vanilla until stiff.
8. To serve, slice shortcakes in half horizontally. Place bottom halves of shortcakes on individual serving plates. Top each with strawberry mixture and whipped cream mixture. Cover with top halves of shortcakes.