Strawberry Shortcake (Cake)

This is a traditional recipe found on the Maryland Eastern Shore.  You will use: eggs, sugar, cake flour, salt, lemon, strawberries, and whip cream.

Makes 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 25 - 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Cake

  • 5 - eggs, separated

  • 1 - cup sugar

  • 1 - cup cake flour, sifted 4 times

  • 1/4 - teaspoon salt

  • 1 - Tablespoon grated lemon rind

  • 1-1/2 - Tablespoons lemon juice

• Strawberries

  • 1 - quart strawberries, capped and sliced

  • 3/4 - cup sugar

  • 1 - pint whipping cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cake

1. In a mixing bowl, you want to whip the egg yolks.  The add half cup sugar gradually (one tablespoon at a time).  Next, add the lemon juice and rind.  
2. You want to beat until the mixture is thick and has lemon yellow color.  The next step is to fold the cake flour into mixture.
3. In a separate small mixing bowl, you will whip the egg whites and add salt until stiff.  
4. Again, you want to add the remaining half-cup sugar (again one tablespoon at a time).  Now, you will fold the egg whites into the flour mixture.
5. In two un-greased round layer cake pans, pour the ingredients.  
6. Bake the cakes for 25 to 30 minutes.  You want the cake to spring back when you touch the center.  Remove from pan and invert cake on bottom of pan to allow cooling.

Strawberries

1. You want to keep eight good strawberries for garnish.
2. In a mixing bowl, you want to put the strawberries and add the sugar.  
3. You want to take a glass and mash the strawberries fine.
4. Take your serving plate and place one layer of the cake.  
5. Next, spread half the strawberries on the top.  
6. Then add next layer and again spread the remaining strawberries over the top.
7. The final step is to spread the whip cream over top strawberry layer.  Cut into six or eight servings.  
8. Use saved whole strawberries and any extra whip cream to garnish each individual serving.

Alan's Kitchen Picnicking & Tailgating Tip: 
You might want to wait to place the cake into individual bowls and put together at the picnic site.  Make sure you keep the strawberries and whip cream in the ice chest until ready to serve.