Good morning, its National Strawberry Shortcake Day and I wish we had a place to pick Strawberries. Charlie and I could take a Field Trip to pick some and make David a Strawberry Cheesecake.
Since there isn’t all Charlie and I can do is go to the store to pick up Strawberries or purchase a Strawberry Cheesecake either from the Bakery or Frozen Foods.
Although Charlie is more adventurous than I am and he said we could look online for a recipe and create a Strawberry Cheesecake for my David and also David’s dad David Sr.
I just wish Travis was here because he would love having a slice of Strawberry Cheesecake with his dad and Charlie and I miss him a lot. Even though Charlie isn’t going to admit that because Travis always ends up hurting Charlie.
National Strawberry Shortcake Day
Let’s Learn about the Strawberry Shortcakes
- Shortcake is a sweet Biscuit (in the American sense: that is, a crumbly, baking Soda- or Baking Powder-Leavened Bread).
- Shortcake is typically made with Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder or Soda, Salt, Butter, Milk or Cream, and sometimes Eggs.
- The most famous dessert made with Shortcake is Strawberry Shortcake.
- Though today’s Shortcakes are usually of the Biscuit or Sponge-Cake variety, earlier American recipes called for Pie crust in rounds or broken-up pieces, which was a variety still being enjoyed in the 20th century, particularly in the South.
- Though Strawberry is the most widely known Shortcake dessert, there is also a Peach Shortcake, Blueberry Shortcake, Chocolate Shortcake and other similar desserts. It is also common to see recipes where the Shortcake is flavored; with Coconut a common addition. The term “Shortcake” often refers to shortbread in the UK.
National Strawberry Shortcake Day is a holiday that’s observed annually on June 14th and it s a day in which people can enjoy one of the most delicious and sublime summer desserts ever made: Strawberry Shortcake.
People can celebrate this day by making their own version of this classic dessert, or perhaps by buying Strawberry Shortcake from their bakery or grocery store.
The History Of Strawberry Shortcake
We’re unsure of the history of National Strawberry Shortcake Day, we can do a deep dive into the history of this dessert. According to culinary historians, the earliest known recipe was found in an English cookbook that dates back to 1588. However, this dessert was probably already being made for many years before it even made it into the book.
By the middle of the 19th century, Strawberry Short was a Biscuit and Fruit dessert that was often served with sweetened Cream and Butter. It became so popular in the U.S., people would organize Strawberry Shortcake parties—right around the time that fresh Strawberries are being picked.
Because Strawberries are often picked between April and June in the U.S., it’s likely that this is how National Strawberry Shortcake Day became a Holiday.
Tasty Facts About Strawberry Shortcake
I learned quite a few interesting facts about Strawberry Shortcakes. I thought I would share this information with everyone interested in the Holiday.
The following tasty facts will give people a few things to think about while they’re enjoying all of that delicious Strawberry Shortcake.
- A Shortcake is a sweet Cake that’s leavened with Baking Soda or Powder.
- In the U.S, Strawberry Shortcakes became popular during the mid 19th Century.
- In 2012, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival featured the largest Shortcake. It used over 3,200 pounds of Strawberries and 280 pounds of Whipped Cream Icing.
- The Strawberry is the only Fruit that has its seeds on the outside.
- Each Strawberry has about 200 seeds.
- Every year, 23,000 acres of Strawberries are planted in California each year.
- Strawberries are grown in every U.S State, and in every Canadian province.
- Almost 95% of all American households consume Strawberries.
- Strawberries are among some of the first Fruit to ripen in the spring.
- Almost 3/4ths of all Strawberries grown in the U.S are grown in California.
- Each acre of land in California will produce about 21-tons of Strawberries a year.
- Americans eat approximately 1.8 pounds of frozen Strawberries per person per year.
Observing National Strawberry Shortcake Day
The best way to observe National Strawberry Shortcake Day is to take advantage of the availability of Strawberries at this time and make yourself a serving of this dessert for yourself and your family. There are few things finer than having a tasty plate of Strawberry Shortcake.
Recipe for Strawberry Shortcake
- 3 pints fresh strawberries
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup shortening
- 1 egg
- ⅔ cup milk
- 2 cups whipped heavy cream
Directions
- Step 1 Slice the Strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of white Sugar. Set aside.
- Step 2 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease and flour one 8 inch round cake pan.
- Step 3 In a medium bowl combine the Flour, Baking Powder, 2 tablespoons White Sugar and the Salt. With a pastry blender cut in the Shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the beaten Egg and Milk. Stir until just combined.
- Step 4 Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool partially in pan on wire rack.
- Step 5 Slice partially cooled cake in half, making two layers. Place half of the Strawberries on one layer and top with the other layer. Top with remaining Strawberries and cover with the Whipped Cream.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
