Smart Cookie Strawberry Shortcakes

Step 1
Crush about 1/4 of the strawberries with a fork. Mix together with the remaining strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Set aside to macerate for up to 1 hour.

Step 2
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 3
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Mix cream, eggs, and almond extract together in a separate bowl.

Step 4
Cut cold butter cubes into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter until texture resembles damp sand. Make a well in the center and pour in the cream mixture; fold it in gently with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 5
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times until dough comes together. Pat out until 1/2-inch thick. Fold dough in half and then in quarters, and pat out into a 1/2-inch thickness again. Repeat folding one more time.

Step 6
Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter and taking care not to twist the cutter in the dough, cut out 12 rounds and place at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

Step 7
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown on top, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Step 8
While the shortcakes are cooling, make the whipped cream. Combine heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla bean paste in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes.

Step 9
Split the shortcakes in half and top with macerated strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.