Strawberry shortcake is this wonderful treat enjoyed for centuries. The perfect combination of sweet and tart strawberries, creamy whipped cream, and fluffy shortcake is what makes strawberry shortcake so good. But if you want to elevate that old tradition, how about adding frangipane, almond-flavored pastry cream? So rich, so flavorful, and so guaranteed to impress is a sensational frangipane strawberry shortcake.
From ingredients to variations and presentation suggestions, this book will walk you through each step of making that delectable dessert. Whether your event is small-scale self-indulgence, the celebration of a particular occasion, or just a gathering, your guests would certainly appreciate this dessert.
Frangipane is what?
Made of almonds, butter, sugar, and eggs, frangipane is a delicious almond filling. Popular fills in French and Italian pastries including tarts and croissants, it has a creamy texture and nutty taste. Baked frangipane becomes light and fluffy with a texture between cake and custard.
Fresh strawberries and the soft, buttery shortcake go perfectly with its light sweet taste and nutty aroma.
Why is Frangipane Strawberry Shortcake?
Although conventional strawberry shortcake is already great, frangipane brings it to yet another level. The almond filling balances the sharpness of the strawberries with the sweetener of the whipped cream, therefore giving the dessert depth and richness. Texture and taste taken together are rather pleasing. This variation on strawberry shortcake is worth trying whether your taste in almonds is strong or you just want to experiment.
Ingredients for Delicious Frangipane Strawberry Shortcake
To make this elegant dessert, you’ll need a few key components: the frangipane filling, the shortcake, and the strawberries.
For the Frangipane:
- 1 cup almond flour (or finely ground almonds)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
For the Shortcake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 3/4 cup milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Strawberries and Toppings:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar (to macerate the strawberries)
- Whipped cream, for serving (optional but recommended)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Frangipane Strawberry Shortcake
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries
Prepare the strawberries first, then begin with the frangipane and shortcake. Wash, hull, and cut the strawberries; then, arrange them in a basin with the sugar. To macate the strawberries, gently stir then let them sit for at least half an hour. The strawberries’ natural juices are extracted by this method to produce a sweet syrup fit for soaking into the shortcake.
Step 2: Make the Frangipane
You may make the frangipane filling even if the strawberries are macerating.
Using a hand or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar in a medium-sized mixing dish until light and fluffy. Add the almond flour; beat until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Finally, whisk in the all-purpose flour and almond extract.
The frangipane paste must be smooth and thick. Let it sit to be used for the shortcake.
Step 3: Make the Shortcake
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add cubed butter kept cold. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers in the flour mix to cut the butter into coarse crumbs.
Mix the milk, egg, and vanilla essence in another bowl. Whisk them together until they form a smooth paste. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, and mix briefly just until combined. Fold gently; you will end up with a tough shortcake if you overmix. The dough just becomes tacky.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Adjust oven temperature to 375°F. Parchment paper lines a baking sheet.
On a surface dusted with flour, roll out shortcake dough an inch thick. Cut the dough into rounds using a round cutter or, better still, a glass; arrange them on the ready baking sheet…
Top each round of shortcake with a thick layer of frangipane, spreading it up to the edges in a thin border all around.
The baking of the shortcake will impart flavors and moisture from the frangipane.
Bake 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the shortcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the shortcakes cool for only a minute or so and then build the final dessert in step 5, building the Frangipane Strawberry Shortcakes.
Step 5: Assemble the Frangipane Strawberry Shortcakes
Once the shortcakes have cooled enough, it is finally time to assemble the dessert. Cut each shortcake in half horizontally. Spoon the macerated strawberries and their syrup over the bottom halves liberally.Top if desired with whipped cream.
Cover the strawberries with the half of the shortcake. A great presentation of will come from dusting the top of the shortcake with powdered sugar.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve these warm with Frangipane Strawberry Shortcakes immediately. Oh, the buttery shortcake, the sweet almond frangipane, the juicy strawberries, and the light whipped cream are just impossible to resist together.
Techniques for Perfect Frangipane Strawberry Shortcake
- Use Ripe Strawberries: The taste of the dish would be much influenced by the quality of your strawberries. To get optimal results, pick ripe, delicious strawberries.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Take care not to overmix the dough when creating the shortcake. Working it too much might produce a rough, thick texture. Just till the dough comes together.
- Customize with Other Fruits: Though strawberries are classic, you could quickly substitute raspberries, peaches, or even a combination of berries. The frangipane goes nicely with many kinds of fruits.
- Add a Citrus Twist: Consider adding a little of lemon zest to the shortcake dough or a splash of lemon juice to the macerated strawberries for additional brightness.
Changes to the Recipe
- Peach Frangipane Shortcake: Trade the strawberries for fresh peaches. Macate them in sugar the same way, then savor the summertime peaches’ sweetness with the almond frangipane.
2. Mixed Berry Frangipane Shortcake: To give it a lovely, tart twist on the old recipe, you can add raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries to your fruit salad.
3. Gluten-Free Frangipane Shortcake: The shortcake and frangipane are easily made gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour mixes. Almond flour is gluten-free to start with, so you will not need to replace any portion of this recipe.
Conclusion
The scrumptious frangipane strawberry shortcake is actually a great variation on a classic, with a richer taste and more opulent texture that refashioned the traditional strawberry shortcake with the taste of almonds on the frangipane. It will surely wow you if you’re making it for a formal affair or just something to celebrate at a get-together. A show-stopping dessert made with a few basic ingredients and techniques will have everyone clamoring for seconds.
Try this Frangipane Strawberry Shortcake the next time you want a delicious treat combining nutty almond cream’s characteristics with fresh fruit. Though simple to prepare, this dish always produces amazing results.
FAQs:
1. Can I make the frangipane shortcake ahead of time?
A. Yes, you can bake the shortcakes ahead and store them in an airtight container.
2. Can I freeze the shortcake?
A. Yes, the shortcake (without the strawberries) can be frozen for up to a month.