Strawberry Shortcake a la Treebeard's

Ingredients

Shortcake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 teaspoons granulated sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup milk

Filling

• 1 quart ripe strawberry, washed,hulled and sliced
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 450 degrees; grease a cookie sheet.

2. 2

   To make Shortcake, with knife blade attachment on food processor, process flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, butter and 2 teaspoons granulated sugar until mixture resembles coarse meal.

3. 3

   Pour mixture into medium bowl.

4. 4

   With wooden spoon of paddle attachment on electric mixer, add milk and mix just until it forms a smooth dough.

5. 5

   Scoop dough onto cookie sheet in 6 equal mounds.

6. 6

   Dust top of shortcakes with remaining 2 teaspoons granulated sugar.

7. 7

   Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

8. 8

   Remove from oven; transfer to wire rack and cool.

9. 9

   To make Filling, in a medium bowl, mash one-half of berries.

10. 10

    Mix with granulated sugar and vanilla.

11. 11

    Refrigerate 1 hour.

12. 12

    To make Whipped Cream, in a chilled mixing bowl, beat cream with confectioners' sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla until it just holds soft peaks.

13. 13

    Add sour cream; beat until stiff peaks form.

14. 14

    Cut off tops of shortcakes; set aside.

15. 15

    Spoon Filling onto bottom of each shortcake.

16. 16

    Cover with Whipped Cream and remaining sliced strawberries; replace tops.

17. 17

    Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, a strawberry half and a sprig of mint.