Ingredients
2
ounces high-quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Perugina), chopped
1/2
tsp unflavored gelatin
2
1/2 cups chilled whipping cream, divided
1/2
cup (packed) golden brown sugar
9
tbsp (1 stick plus 1 tbsp) unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes, chilled
1
cup whipping cream, plus additional for brushing biscuits
4
cups halved hulled strawberries (about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds)
1
tbsp finely grated lemon peel
1
tbsp chopped fresh mint or 2 tsp dried lavender blossoms**
Directions
1.
For white chocolate cream:
2.
Place white chocolate in medium bowl. Place 1 tablespoon water in very small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over; let stand until gelatin softens, about 15 minutes. Bring 1/2 cup cream and 3 tablespoons sugar to simmer in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; add gelatin and stir until dissolved. Pour gelatin mixture over white chocolate, whisking until melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3.
Beat remaining 2 cups cream in large bowl until peaks form. Fold 1/2 cup cream into white chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold chocolate mixture into remaining cream in bowl. Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
5.
Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl; whisk to blend. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub in until coarse meal forms. Gradually add 1 cup cream, tossing until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; shape into 8 1/2-inch round on parchment or foil. Chill 15 minutes.
6.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut dough into eight 3-inch rounds, gathering scraps and reshaping as needed. Place rounds on prepared sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush tops with cream and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool completely. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. If desired, rewarm in 350°F oven 5 minutes before using.)
8.
Combine strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel, and mint or lavender in medium bowl; toss to blend. Let stand at room temperature until juices form, at least 10 minutes, or refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 hours.
9.
Cut biscuits in half horizontally. Place 1 bottom on each of 8 plates and mound strawberries with syrup on each, dividing equally. Cover with white chocolate cream and biscuit tops.
10.
*Also called turbinado or demerara sugar; available at most supermarkets and natural foods stores.
11.
**Also called culinary lavender buds; available at many health foods stores and from surfasonline.com
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