Strawberry Shortcake

Adapted from here.

PREP: 45 minutes
SERVES: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 pints ripe, well-rinsed strawberries
1/2 cup sugar, or more to taste + 3 Tbsp sugar + 2 tsp sugar
4 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
5 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 cups butter
3 cups whipping cream
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
1. Hull and slice strawberries. Mix 1/2 cup sugar with sliced strawberries, adding more if strawberries are more tart. Gently crush a quarter of the berries, if desired, to release juices. Set aside, covered, for 30 minutes to develop flavor.
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
3. Into a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, 3 Tbsp sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add 3/4 cup of softened butter, and rub into dry ingredients as for pastry. Add 1 1/4 cups cream, and mix into a soft dough.
4. Knead the dough for one minute on a lightly floured surface, then separate dough into 6 equal sections. Lightly roll dough into biscuit-shaped rounds.
5. Use a little butter to grease a baking sheet or spread parchment paper on a baking sheet. Place rounds spread apart on the baking sheet and brush a little butter on the tops of the rounds.
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. Beat remaining cream until it thickens. Add vanilla and 2 tsp sugar, then beat again just until thick.
8. Remove from the oven and slice shortcakes. Plate shortcakes open with strawberries (and sauce) and top with fresh whipped cream.


Tips:
Do NOT overbeat whipped cream.
Keep whipping cream as cold as possible to help it thicken quickly--place bowl with cream in a pan of ice water while beating, just be careful to not get water into the cream.