Hello all– Is is summer where you are?? School ended here yesterday. The grand-girls and I had a water squirting adventure in the front yard this evening. We’ve been eating dinner out back under the maple trees. And there are mounds of berries at the market here. We’ve made it to summer!
So Monday night when friends came in for dinner, this is what we had for desert. Sweet tender little cakes, just a bit crispy around the edges — with cream and ripe black berries. What’s more summery than that?!
BLACK BERRY SHORTCAKE
Shortcake:
1 1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2/3 cup buttermilk*
1 tsp. vanilla
Toppings:
12 oz. blackberries (2 small cartons)
2 tab. sugar
1 point heavy whipping cream
2 tsp. powdered sugar
2 tsp. instant vanilla pudding mix**
In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, 1/3 cu sugar, baking powder and salt. With a pastry blender (or 2 forks), cut in the butter until it resembles pea size lumps. Then stir in the buttermilk and vanilla.
Drop mounds of dough onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray (makes about 8 medium shortcakes). Bake them in a 400 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes until they’re nicely browned and crispy around the edges.
While they are baking, wash the berries and mix them with the 2 tab. of sugar.
With an electric mixer, beat the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla pudding mix. Set it into the fridge to firm up until your ready to serve the shortcake.
Set each shortcake on a pretty place and top with berries & cream.
*If you don’t have buttermilk on hand (like me), pour a tablespoon of cider vinegar in with whole milk to make 2/3 cup. Let it sit a couple minutes to thicken.
**The instant pudding stabilizes the cream, so it will stay firm when you serve it.
Yum yum
Thanks Ruchi! Fun to hear from you! xo
My pleasure dear
Very tasty.
Thanks Cindy– Do have lots of berries coming around where you live??
Yes! I grow my own blueberries and strawberries and the blackberries are growing wild so we can just go for walks and pick those but blackberry season is about 4-6 weeks away still. Strawberries will be ready soon and blueberries in a few weeks.
Wow Cindy– I have to admit I’m a little jealous. We have blackberry vines– but they are sort of sad– not many berries this year. Happy berry picking!! Sounds like a sweet way to spend part of your summer! Always fun to hear from you Cindy! xox
YUM!! Rhonda, this looks so delicious. Thank you for sharing. I hope you are having an amazing time with your grand kids. ❤ I have a feeling this recipe would be amazing with spelt flour (OK I know I mention spelt flour a lot – it's one of my fav healthy alternatives – and the cake looks so good).
Happy summer, my friend. Sending you love — Debbie
Hey Debbie– we are starting with a busy fun summer. I’m wondering about you. Does your schedule change with summer?? Any more travels ahead? hugs hugs friend.
Nope it pretty much stays the same. Doing a lot to build my coaching practice, came so naturally out of my writing. Please keep it in your prayers. Hugs to you and your family Rhonda!
Hi again Rhonda! I have a podcast that made me think of you. Would love to send it to you! Just let me know how to do that. BTW, my email is weloveyou@forgivingconnects.com
Love and hugs, Debbie xo
thanks Debbie! You are getting so much done!! Congrats! xox
Sure! You can email me if you want me to send it to you. weloveyou@forgivingconnects.com ❤
I know that’s a process Debbie. Hoping both coaching and writing are moving along well in the best direction and that you’re finding lots of joy in it all. Love to you. xo
I love blackberries but it will be August before they ripen here. That shortcake looks divine xx
Something to look forward to!! Hope your launching into a lovely summer Brigid. xox
Yes! This just looks like (and tastes like I’m sure) summer on a plate. Lovely!
Hi Lacey– thanks. I’m pretty happy with anything that has berries and whipped cream! Is it real summer there yet?? We hit the 90’s today! (already!) Keep cool! xox
I agree 🙂
YES! We are in the upper 90s! You keep cool too!
whoa! this might be a long hot summer! Popsicles for all!! hugs hugs Lacey!
I am sure every bite screams summer! 🙂
Hi Mollie–yep-don’t you love berries when they finally come in. And watermelon! I’m eating a big chunk of watermelon for breakfast right now. Happy summer eating to you cup north! hugs friend.
Hi Rhonda! Fabulous looking dish as always. I am just letting you know that I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Feel free to check out the post: http://www.blogtasticfood.com/one-lovely-blogger-award/
Thanks Nick– you are so kind! Fun to read your 7 interesting facts!
Looks so fresh and tasty!
Thanks Marcia– loving berries while they last this summer! How is summer looking up north for you?!! hugs!