Sammy’s Strawberry Shortcake Bars
Sammy’s kitchen was one of her comfort spots. When she saw the photos of it in the real estate listing her heart fluttered. It was an open plan, not too small, not too large. Exceptionally cozy. Even the wallpaper had her by the heart from the start. It was burgundy and hunter green plaid with a wallpaper border scene of die-cut mallards in a reedy marsh. For Sammy it was love at first sight.
The little light over the stove was a comforting presence, but Sammy felt the need to turn on the big light. Cooking always soothed Sammy. It kept her mind focused. It kept her hands busy. It kept her centered.
She opened up a cabinet and selected self-rising flour, butter, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and a jar of her homemade strawberry jam.
Luckily Brazen Bounty provided an easy recipe for homemade berry preserves for the rest of us.
Sammy took out her heart shaped measuring spoons and cups, then carefully apportioned the flour, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. She pressed this dough mixture into a vintage Corelle loaf pan that she lovingly lined with crumpled parchment.
She took her time spreading heaps of jam in an even layer on top of the batter. She topped this with lots of buttery sugary crumble and placed it in the oven.
While she waited she put a a heavy pot on the stovetop and heated up some milk in to a simmer, then added some chopped chocolate. Sammy’s MeMa taught her to say the Lord’s Prayer when stirring hot chocolate.
Her MeMa said that it put the Love of the Lord into it and Sammy noticed that it also happened to result in just enough time for the chocolate to melt into the perfect consistency.
It was also enough time for the bars to bake. They cooled happily on a rack as Sammy spooned up two large mugfulls of steamy, thick hot chocolate, topping each with a big mound of fizzing whipping cream from a can.
She entered her living room with a tray of cozy calm, and deposited this tray on the coffee table. Then she handed her best friend Jane a big mug mounded with whipped cream.
She set out two tiny forks and two large napkins. She placed the baking tray full of uncut shortcake bars directly between her and Jane. Jane smiled at the dish of Sammy’s strawberry shortcake bars and picked up a fork.
Sammy’s Strawberry Shortcake Bars
Ingredients
Shortcake Base:
- 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup homemade strawberry jam (or high-quality store-bought)
Buttery Crumble Topping:
- 1/2 cup self-rising flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the Shortcake Base: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. Gradually stir in the self-rising flour until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan to form the shortcake base.
- Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the dough, ensuring a smooth layer.
- Prepare the Buttery Crumble Topping: In a small bowl, combine the self-rising flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the buttery crumble topping evenly over the strawberry jam layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the edges of the shortcake are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift the shortcake out of the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice into portions and serve. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
This blog post is based on the cozy mystery story “The Showcase Must Go On,” the first book in the Sammy Shepherd Series by Nikki Lachen of Cozy Ozarks.
