Divine Strawberry Shortcake With Marsala

Photo: Roz

Ingredients

2 quarts strawberries, stems & leaves removed, sliced

2/3 cup sugar

1 stick of butter, softened

1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

cup sugar

1/2 cup whole milk

2 jumbo eggs, separated

cup sugar

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

cup sifted powdered sugar

Marsala wine to sprinkle on top

Whole strawberries to garnish and serve on the side for those who want extra berries.

Preparation

Gently mix the strawberries with the first 1/3 cup of sugar.

Chill for 1 to 2 hours. Drain and reserve the juice.

Use two 9" round cake pans.

Using 1/2 Tbsp. of butter for each pan, spread the soft butter evenly around the entire pan; set aside.

Blend the flour, baking powder, salt, 1/3 cup sugar in a large mixing bowl; with a pastry blender, cut in the remaining butter until mixture is well blended (will look a little lumpy, and that's OK).

Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites.

Set the egg whites to the side for the final step of shortcakes.

Combine the 2 egg yolks with the milk.

Add to flour mixture.

Stir with a fork until a soft dough develops.

Evenly place dough into each of the 2 pans and with your fingers, gently spread to the sides.

Dough is very moist so use a little butter on your fingers to spread the dough.

It looks thin, but it rises nicely.

Beat the 2 egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Brush each of the dough surfaces with the beaten egg whites. Sprinkle the last 1/3 cup of sugar evenly on top, splitting the sugar between the two doughs.

Bake in a 450 degree oven for 11-12 minutes (and no more). Remove the shortcakes from the pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Beat the whipping cream until foamy; gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form.

Place 1 cake layer on serving plate. Spread half of the whipped cream over first layer.

With a SLOTTED spoon (for juice drainage) arrange half of the sliced strawberries on top.

Place the second shortcake on top and repeat the whipped cream and strawberries.

Savie the strawberry juice and servie it on the side with whole strawberries (or It can also be saved for a strawberry shake or smoothie).

Sprinkle a little bit of Marsala wine on top of your shortcakes to your preference level.

Serve extra whipped cream and vanilla ice cream with the strawberry shortcake.

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About

I have been making this "Italian" version of strawberry shortcake for years now. My guests always ask me what that "secret ingredient" is. And now you know! It's Marsala wine. Buon Appetito!