Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes Recipe

• Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min. + cooling
• Yield: 8 Servings

201030

Ingredients

• 1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2/3 cup sugar, divided
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided
• 3/4 cup half-and-half cream
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
• 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping
• 10 fresh strawberries or grated chocolate, optional
• Grated chocolate, optional

Method

• Combine strawberries and 1/3 cup sugar; refrigerate if desired. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar. Cut in butter and 2/3 cup chips until crumbly. Add half-and-half and stir until just moistened.
• Divide dough into 8 patties, about 3/4-in. thick. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Brush with egg white; sprinkle with coarse sugar and remaining chips.
• Bake at 450° for 13 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat whipping cream and confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate.
• To assemble, split shortcakes in half. Place cake bottoms on dessert plates. Top with about two-thirds of the strawberries, whipped cream and fudge topping. Replace shortcake tops; top with remaining berries, cream and topping. Garnish with chocolate if desired. Yield: 8 servings.