Strawberry Shortcake

2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, well chilled
2/3 to 3/4 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

In a food processor combine the flour, baking powder and sugar and pulse to mix. Add the butter, cut into 8 to 10 pieces, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer the mixture to a mixer and gently mix in the milk, being careful not to over work the dough. Let the dough stand for a minute or 2 to let the flour absorb the liquid. Mix until dough is smooth and less sticky.

Pat the dough into a disk on a flour-dusted board. Using a cookie cutter, cut dough into 3" rounds and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until well risen and golden brown.

You know what to do now. Slice rounds in half lengthwise, open and top with sliced strawberries and freshly-whipped cream. A delicious breakfast!

Strawberry Jam Cake

6 tablespoons butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 whole eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs, one at a time. Add the sour cream. Sift the flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt together. Fold in the sifted flour mixture until barely incorporated. Stir in the vanilla and 1 cup strawberry jam. Mix the batter until fully incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until done. Cool the cake completely and slice into three layers. Using a pastry brush, spread each layer with the remaining jam.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Frosting:
1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese
1/2 cup strawberry jam
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Using an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. Add the jam and mix until incorporated. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue whipping until the frosting is spreadable. **If the frosting is too thick, add a little milk. If the frosting is too thin add a little more powdered sugar. Spread a thin layer of the frosting on each layer. Stack the layers and frost the sides and top of the cake.