We went strawberry picking this past summer.  We cut up and froze all the extra strawberries.  Since we’re going to be moving this upcoming summer, I’ve been working my way through our freezer and pantry, trying to dwindle down our supplies.  When I came across the frozen strawberries, Emery volunteered to make strawberry shortcake.

First he thawed the strawberries:

He then mixed them with 1 cup of sugar and let them sit in the fridge:

After preheating the oven to 400 degrees, he added to a bowl:

• 8 cups flour (we grind our own with soft wheat)
• 3 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 6 cups heavy cream (if you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute 1/3 cup butter and 3/4 cup milk for each cup of heavy cream)

He mixed it all together (do not overmix):

Then split the mix into 2 ungreased 9″x13″ glass pans (it will be crumbly):

At this point I took over and let it bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned. I removed it from the oven and set it before my excited children:

I cut the shortcake into servings and topped with strawberries and whipped cream:

Then I served it to my hungry children:

If you have a child that’s feeling a little bit grumpy, Jim suggests a little extra whipped cream to sweeten his mood:

I think one of the best life skills that all children should learn is the ability to handle themselves in the kitchen. They never know when they’ll be called on to provide a meal.

To be able to cook food that brings joy to others is a very good thing indeed. [Click to Tweet]

Do you allow your children to cook?