Strawberry Shortcake with Fromage Blanc Whipped Cream
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 4 cups (about 2 pints) fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
- 6 ounces fromage blanc (3/4 cup)
- For the shortcake, sift the flour, 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of the sugar, the baking powder, and the salt into the bowl of a food processor.
- (Alternatively, you can make the dough using a pastry cutter.)
- Pulse to combine.
- Add the butter to the flour mixture and pulse just until the butter pieces become the size of peas.
- Combine 1 cup less 2 teaspoons of the cream, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla, and orange zest in a small bowl and add to the dough.
- Pulse until the dough is just combined, 6 to 8 pulses.
- Remove the dough from the food processor and knead gently once or twice to form a ball.
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, pat the dough into a 6 x 9-inch rectangle, approximately 3/4 inch thick.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425 F.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and straighten the edges by pushing on them with the flat side of a large knife, such as a chefs knife.
- Cut the rectangle into 6 even squares (2 squares by 3 squares) and arrange the squares 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Using a pastry brush, brush them with 2 teaspoons cream and sprinkle the tops with 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the shortcakes are golden brown.
- Remove them from the baking sheet and let cool at least 5 minutes on a wire rack.
- While the shortcakes bake, place the strawberries in a bowl and toss them with 1 tablespoon sugar.
- Cover and set aside.
- For the topping, whip the remaining cup of cream in a bowl until soft peaks form.
- Add 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla and stir gently.
- In another bowl, vigorously stir the cheese to soften it.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cheese.
- Refrigerate the topping until ready to use, up to 2 hours before serving.
- When the shortcakes have cooled slightly, split them in half.
- Spoon about 1/2 cup strawberries over the bottom halves.
- Place a generous dollop of topping over the fruit and top with the other half of the shortcake.
- Finish with a small spoonful of topping and a couple of strawberry slices.
flour, sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, cold unsalted butter, heavy cream, vanilla, orange zest, fresh strawberries, fromage blanc
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/strawberry-shortcake-with-fromage-blanc-whipped-cream-387813 (may not work)