Strawberry-Watermelon Shortcake

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This twist on a traditional strawberry shortcake – made with sweet cake or biscuits – adds our favorite ingredient – watermelon! Easily save time on this recipe by using store-bought biscuits or whip cream, or both!

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS:

For the Strawberry-Watermelon Sauce:

  • 2 cups (500 mL) watermelon cut into bite-sized cubes, divided
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar
  • 1 cup (250 mL) strawberries, hulled and quartered

For the Biscuits:

  • 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons (12.5 mL) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon (5 mL) salt
  • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) plus 2 teaspoons (10 mL) white sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) plus 2 tablespoons (30 mL) heavy cream

For the Whipped Cream:

  • 1 cup (250 mL) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) white sugar (more or less to suit your taste)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In a food processor, combine 1 cup of the watermelon cubes and sugar. Pulse until smooth and transfer to a large bowl. Add the quartered strawberries and remaining 1 cup cubed watermelon, toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  2. Meanwhile, make the biscuits. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of the sugar together.
  4. Add 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) of the cream and stir just until the dough comes together. (It will be ragged at first but will smooth out as the dough is kneaded.)
  5. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until the dough is mostly smooth. Pat into a 3/4-inch (2 cm)-thick round.
  6. Using a circular biscuit cutter or pairing knife cut out 3 or 4 rounds in 3-4 inch (7.5 – 10 cm) circles and place them on your prepared baking sheet. Bring the scraps together and pat out to make more biscuits. Repeat until all the dough is used. You should end up with 6 biscuits.
  7. Brush the tops of the biscuits with the remaining heavy cream and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons (10 mL) sugar. Bake the biscuits for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
  8. While the biscuits bake, make the whipped cream. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the whipping cream and vanilla. Beat at medium high speed until soft peaks form, then, with the mixer running, slowly add the sugar until the soft peaks become slightly firmer.
  9. To assemble the shortcakes, cut the biscuits in half. Place the bottom half on a plate and top it with whipped cream, followed by a spoonful of the strawberry-watermelon mixture. Cover with the top half of the biscuit and top with one last scoop of cream and strawberry- watermelon mixture. Serve immediately.

Note: Biscuits can be made the evening before and kept wrapped in food grade plastic or in an air-tight container. Store bought biscuits can also be used, if preferred.

RECIPE AND PHOTO BY WATERMELON.ORG

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