Strawberry Shortcake

Nothing says summer like shortcake. Strawberry in May, June. Peach in July, August.

Heaven.

I really like crumbly, flaky, fresh from the oven shortcake; none of this Twinkie crap they sell at the grocery store. Here's my super easy, favorite recipe:

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients, then add butter, then add milk until dough forms coarse crumbles. Drop onto greased baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes about 8 shortcakes.

While baking, rinse, hull, and slice several strawberries. Place in bowl, sprinkle with turbinado sugar (brand name: Sugar in the Raw), and let sit (even mush together a little bit). I swear, any baked good sprinkled with turbinado sugar is like ten times fancier. Letting the sugar mingle with the fruit for a few minutes does *magic* to the dish.

Take shortcakes from straight from oven, break open slightly on dish, top with berries and whipping cream. Best summer barbecue dessert ever.