Strawberry Shortcakes  photo credit: www.chow.com

What You’ll Need for the Strawberries:
> 1 1/2 pounds strawberries, washed and diced
> 1/4 cup granulated sugar

What You’ll Need for the Cake:
> Unsalted butter (to coat the baking sheet)
> 7 large egg yolks
> 2/3 cup granulated sugar
> 2 tsps vanilla extract
> 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
> 10 large egg whites
> 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
> 1/8 tsp fine salt

What You’ll Need for the Cream:
> 2 cups heavy cream
> 2 tbsps granulated sugar
> 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Combine the strawberries and sugar in a medium bowl. Stir occasionally (while at room temperature) while making the cake.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set aside a few sheets of parchment paper and coat an 18×13″ rimmed baking sheet with butter. Top with the parchment paper and coat with more butter. 

3. Place the egg yolks , 1/3 cup of sugar and the vanilla in a mixer bowl and beat on high speed until yellow and thickened. (about 5 minutes)

4. Turn the mixer speed down to low and slowly start adding the flour. Mix until just combined. (about 1 minute) Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.

5.  Whisk together the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt together using the mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. (about 1 minute) Gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar and continue whisking until stiff peaks form. (you’ll know when the peaks stand straight up….approximately another minute) 

6. Fold 1/4 of the egg whites into the reserved yolk-flour mixture until evenly incorporated; gently fold in the remaining egg whites until just combined and no large white streaks remain.

7. Pour the batter into the pan. Spread it into a very even layer and smooth the top. Bake for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. 

8. Place the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a chilled bowl and whisk until medium peaks form. (about 3 minutes) Place the bowl in the refrigerator.

9. Transfer the cooled cake to a cutting board. Trim the edges of the cake to make a 16 x 11″ rectangle. Cut the longer side of the rectangle into 4 x 4″ strips. Cut the shorter side into 4 x 2 3/4″ strips. You should have 16 (4-by-2-3/4-inch) rectangles.

10.  To assemble your cakes…. place 1/2 of the strawberries over the cakes and top with 1/2 of the whipped cream. Place another cake portion over top and repeat with the remaining berries and whipped cream.