Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes

 

Super-chocolatey, and the berries are perfect with the unsweetened whipped cream! The dusting of sugar makes for a nice little sweet crunch, with a hint of molasses flavor.

 

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 ounces milk chocolate, roughly chopped
2 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Raw or turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
For the toppings:
1 quart strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered (about 3 cups if large

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup heavy cream

Position a rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make the shortcakes: Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour mixture until sandy. Add the chocolate. Whisk 1 egg, the cream and vanilla in a glass measuring cup; stir into the flour mixture with a fork to make a shaggy dough (there will be some dry bits). Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; pat flat until 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut into 6 rounds with a knife or cookie cutter, using the scraps for the last cake.

Place the rounds on the baking sheet; freeze for 20 minutes. Beat the remaining egg; brush onto the cakes and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake until firm, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Meanwhile, make the toppings: Toss half of the strawberries with half of the sugar in a bowl; set aside. Place the other half of each in a saucepan; cook over medium-low heat, mashing with a fork to make a thick puree, about 10 minutes. Cool completely. Whip the cream with a mixer until medium peaks form; swirl in the strawberry puree.

Split the shortcakes in half. Layer some of the strawberry cream and reserved fruit on the bottoms; cover with the shortcake tops. Finish with more strawberry cream and the remaining berries.

100% Fruit Smoothie

Sometimes, you just need a nice burst of fruit to wake you up and start the day. For that, this yummy smoothie delivers.

1/2 cup sliced, frozen bananas

1/4 cup blackberries

1/3 cup blueberries

1/4 cup juice

In a blender, blend together all the ingredients until smooth.

 

(source)

Strawberry Lemon Yogurt Cake

This is one amazing cake... so soft and delicious! You'll absolutely love it ♥

Strawberry Lemon Yogurt Cake
adapted from Shockingly Delicious

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature (if you use unsalted, add another 1/2 teaspoon of salt)
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces plain Greek yogurt
12 ounces (about 2 cups) fresh strawberries, diced

GLAZE
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan and set it aside.

In a bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in the lemon zest and set aside.

With an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract until incorporated. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the yogurt – starting and ending with flour – and mixing just until incorporated. Gently fold strawberries into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 70-75 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool 25 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Once cooled, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl. Drizzle glaze over top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides.

 (source)