Serves 8 or more.
Berries:
7 cups halved strawberries, divided
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup orange juice
4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp lemon juice
Biscuits
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
6 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp chilled butter, cut in small pieces
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
Whipped cream for serving
Combine 2 cups of strawberry halves, the sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in a bowl and mash with a potato masher. Stir in the remaining 5 cups of berries.
Preheat the oven to 425°. Prepare a parchment lined baking sheet.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife. combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour buttermilk on top. Fold everything together with a large spoon or rubber spatula until it begins to come together. Do not overwork the dough. The dough will be shaggy and crumbly with some wet spots.
Pour the dough and any dough crumbles onto a floured work surface and gently bring together with generously floured hands. Have extra flour nearby and use it often to flour your hands and work surface in this step. Using floured hands or a floured rolling pin, flatten into a 3/4 inch thick rectangle as best you can. Fold one side into the center, then the other side. Turn the dough horizontally. Gently flatten into a 3/4 inch thick rectangle again. Repeat the folding again. Turn the dough horizontally one more time. Gently flatten into a 3/4 inch thick rectangle. Repeat the folding one last time. Flatten into a final 3/4 inch thick rectangle.
Cut it into 8 or more squares. Place one inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Split shortcakes in half horizontally, using a serrated knife. Place the bottom halves on dessert plates. Top each with 1/4 cup of the strawberry mixture. Top with shortcake tops, then spoon 1/4 cup berries over the top. Garnish with whipped cream.
May 2021 Very good. Makes at least 8 biscuits. (divided by 6 was too much)