STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Strawberry Shortcakes with White Chocolate Mousse image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Shortcakes
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon chilled buttermilk
3 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
Topping
2 1-pint baskets strawberries, hulled, quartered
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
White Chocolate Mousse

Steps:

For shortcakes:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Blend flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in processor. Add butter and process using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1/2 cup buttermilk and process just until moist clumps form. Blend in chopped chocolate using on/off turns.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface. Dust lightly with flour. Gently press dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Using 3 1/4-inch cutter, cut out shortcakes. Gather dough scraps and press to 1/2-inch thickness; cut out additional shortcakes for a total of 6. Transfer shortcakes to prepared baking sheet. Brush shortcakes with remaining 1 tablespoon buttermilk. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar.
Bake shortcakes until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
For topping:
Toss strawberries, sugar and liqueur in large bowl. Let stand at room temperature until juices form, tossing occasionally, about 1 hour.
Cut shortcakes horizontally in half. Place 1 shortcake bottom on each of 6 plates. Spoon 1/3 cup White Chocolate Mousse over each. Spoon some of strawberry topping over each. Cover each with shortcake top. Top each with spoonful of mousse, then more strawberry topping and serve.