Last Updated on June 24, 2024 by Lisa Keys
The new best shortcake recipe with fresh berries and an almond crumble is coming up, but first a look at some old memories.
Looking through old photo albums this week reminds me how loved William is. How lucky is he to be such a happy and social child. He is popular. These smiles tells the story.
I marvel at how huggable these guys are back in the day. Do boys these days still hug like this? Or, has the bully thing really gotten out of hand as portrayed in the media?
And it just wasn't the guys who are hugging.....
Walking down memory lane brings joy and a few tears. His friends for life are also mine. They take care of me in many ways because they love him. Yes, they still love him, and that makes me happy.
Old photos remind me to be grateful for small things like hugs, touching base, and even frogs. I miss everything about the old days, but I can still marvel at all the fabulous things his friends are doing today. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other to see the joy tomorrow will bring.
Now, let's try something new. This isn't your grandma's strawberry shortcake. I recently came across a recipe in Cuisine At Home Magazine called "shortcake bars," and I knew right away that I wanted to experiment with it.
Strawberry shortcake is a beloved treat this time of year, but here's the truth: it's challenging to get the shortcake (and the berries, for that matter) just right. First off, freshly baked shortcakes can't linger. If they're not enjoyed warm from the oven, it's a lost cause—they dry out rapidly. Naturally, the solution to rescuing a dry shortcake is to top it with a heap of sugary, syrupy berries, resulting in an overly sweet, soggy mess. The pitfalls seem endless when it comes to perfecting this dessert.
So, introducing the new best shortcake just in time for a 4th of July dessert party. It's perfectly portable and you can prepare it a day ahead. If you prefer it a bit saucy, feel free to mix the fresh berries with some melted jam or preserves, or go all out and make a fresh berry coulis.
Very Berry Shortcake Squares
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup white whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup 1 stick cold unsalted butter
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- ½ cup small stemmed strawberries*
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- ¼ cup chopped almonds optional
- 1 cup strawberry-blackberry jam I use Smucker’s
- 2 teaspoons sparkling sugar optional
- Toppings: fresh berries sweetened whipped cream
Instructions
- Heat oven 375F. Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment leaving a 2-inch overhang for easy removal. Spray pan and parchment with non-stick baking spray.
- In large bowl, stir flours, sugar, baking powder and salt; cut in butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until crumbly.
- Stir in berries and zest. Mix heavy cream and egg together; add to flour mixture, stirring with a fork until dough comes together. Divide dough in half. Pat half the dough over bottom of prepared pan.
- Spread jam evenly over dough in pan.
- Mix almonds (if using) into remaining dough and crumble dough evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with sparkling sugar, if desired.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool. Cut into 3-inch squares.
- Top with berries and whipped cream.
cookinformyboys
While you are giving credit here to mutual hugging, it seems that your Will is on the right in each of these photos, thus giving him the opportunity to hug everyone he is standing next to! I'm guessing he was a right-hander? What a sweet boy from the get-go!
Lisa
Yes, a righty...how observant of you
Louis
Super cute pics. You're right about strawberry shortcake. I usually just eat the berries and the whipped cream because the cake is awful. This is a much better spin on the dessert. I will share this with my wife who likes to honor her grandfather's birthday by serving strawberry shortcake.
Lisa
Hope you like the "new" shortcake. It is a great twist on that old favorite
Cathy
Brianpoulin (all one word on purpose) gives such awesome hugs that I am sure he is hugging for two!
Lisa
no doubt that when Brian is hugging me that William is coming through, too
Aimee Shuhart
William was so darn huggable. I absolutely adored him. I was cleaning out a drawer the other day and came across the thank you note he wrote me (for coming to his welcome home party) along with 2 pics of William and I. I was still in my first trimester with Calvin at the time. William was glowing, as per his usual. I treasure this note and the pictures and the time we all had with such a special person.
Lisa
I am so glad you, his favorite teacher, have that special note from him. You are the one who inspired his love of books. He loved the feel of a book in his hand. I tried to give him a Kindle one year for Christmas and he wanted nothing to do with it. Calvin is a lucky boy to have YOU for a mom.
eyeforthebuy
Love these memories of yours-thank you for sharing, and I just saw the movie "Inside Out"- if you haven't seen it, you must. In fact, I would swear you wrote the story! Love you and each and every Sweet William Memory that you choose to share with us.
Lisa
So kind my cooking buddy. I have not heard of this movie, "Inside Out" but I will be seeking it out; I am intrigued. Love you back <3
Marcie Mehrman Ziskind
Looks yummy. Definitely trying this one and thinking of you.
Lisa
Thanks, Marcie. Hope you enjoy the recipe. <3
Min Derry
Thank you for sharing such lovely memories, as well as the recipe.
Lisa
You are very welcome and I look forward to baking bread with you soon.