Star-Spangled Shortcake

Salute Old Glory while putting a new spin on classic summer fare. Tossed with sugar, four fruits -- raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and red currants -- create a blaze of red and blue; a generous layer of fresh whipped cream provides the requisite white. The dough for the ring of shortcake stars may be prepared and cut out a day ahead, chilled, and then baked on Independence Day. The berries and whipped cream are added right before serving. The easiest way to cut the baked star ring in half is to place it on a turntable and rotate to achieve an even thickness. If you want to serve a plated version, bake the stars individually.