Best Lemon Shortcakes With Basil Berries Recipes

MACERATED BERRY TOPPING

Steps:

• Combine berries with sugar. Stir occasionally for 45 minutes, and watch as they transform into a vibrant, juicy sauce. Serve over ice cream, pancakes, or shortcake. For a float, alternate the berries with scoops of ice cream and top it all off with seltzer.

STRAWBERRY LEMON SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. In a small bowl, mix softened butter and lemon zest until blended. In another bowl, toss strawberries with sugar; let stand while preparing shortcakes., In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon zest and salt; cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In another bowl, whisk milk and egg yolk until blended; add to flour mixture, stirring with a fork just until moistened. , Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently 4-5 times. Divide dough into 4 portions; pat each into a 3/4-in.-thick circle. Place 2 in. apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack. , Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar; beat until soft peaks form., To serve, split shortcakes in half. Top bottoms with whipped cream and strawberries. Spread tops with lemon-butter mixture; place over strawberries.

LEMON-BASIL CUSTARD PIE WITH RED BERRIES

Steps:

• Crust: Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor to combine. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces remaining. Add ice water; pulse until dough just starts to come together. Pat dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Let dough stand at room temperature until pliable. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to an 11-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate, fold over edge, then crimp. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line pie-crust with parchment and fill with weights or dried beans. Bake 25 minutes, then remove parchment and weights and continue to bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Filling: Meanwhile, bring milk, cream, and lemon basil just to a boil in a medium pot. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep at least 2 hours (or overnight in the refrigerator).
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Return milk mixture to a simmer; remove lemon-basil sprigs. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a bowl, then whisk in cornstarch and salt until mixture is pale and thick, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in hot milk mixture until smooth. Pass mixture through a fine sieve into piecrust; skim any foam from surface with a spoon. Bake just until set in center (if browning too quickly, tent edges with foil), about 30 minutes. Let cool completely. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Berries: Gently toss strawberries, raspberries, and elderberry clusters with sugar in a bowl. Let stand until juicy, about 5 minutes. Spoon berries and juices over chilled pie, top with lemon-basil flowers, and serve.

STRAWBERRY-BASIL-LEMON SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. In large bowl, beat butter, lemon peel and lemon juice with electric mixer on low speed until blended. With spoon, stir in Bisquick mix and 2/3 cup milk until dough forms a ball.
• Roll or pat dough into about 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Cut into 6 squares. Place squares on cookie sheet. Brush tops with additional milk; sprinkle with sugar crystals.
• Bake 20 minutes or until tops are lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and basil together. Gently stir in strawberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Split shortcakes; place on individual dessert plates. Top bottom halves with whipped cream. Spoon strawberries over cream. Cover each with top half of shortcake.