the ultimate homemade strawberry shortcake,

To create the ultimate homemade strawberry shortcake, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 cup (250 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1.5 ml baking powder
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 1.5 cups (310 ml) sugar
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) milk

For the Strawberry Filling:

• 2/3 cup (375 ml) fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup (15 ml) sugar

For the Whipped Cream:

• 3/4 cup (375 ml) heavy cream
• 3/4 cup (45 ml) sugar
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• Whole or sliced fresh strawberries for decoration

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Baking the Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and position the rack in the middle.
2. Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
5. Gradually add 1/2 cup (125 ml) of sugar while beating until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
6. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, remaining sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until well combined.
7. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the two.
8. Stir in 1/4 of the egg white mixture to lighten the batter, then gently fold in the rest with a spatula.
9. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pan.

2. Preparing the Strawberries

1. Combine the sliced strawberries and sugar in a bowl.
2. Let them sit for 15 minutes to release their natural juices.

3. Whipping the Cream

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

4. Assembling the Shortcake

1. Cut the cake in half horizontally to create two layers.
2. Spread 1 cup (250 ml) of whipped cream over the bottom half of the cake.
3. Evenly distribute the prepared strawberries on top of the whipped cream.
4. Place the second cake layer over the strawberries.
5. Spread the remaining whipped cream on top and decorate with whole or sliced strawberries.

Serving and Enjoying Your Strawberry Shortcake

Once assembled, your homemade strawberry shortcake is ready to be served! This dessert is best enjoyed fresh but can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The combination of soft cake, juicy strawberries, and light whipped cream creates a truly irresistible treat.