Frontera's Famous Strawberry Shortcakes - Rick Bayless

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups (8 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar (divided use)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces (1 stick; 8 tablespoons) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk (divided use)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, preferably Mexican
• 1/4 cup grated semi-sweet or Mexican chocolate (optional)
• 1 quart strawberries, hulled
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar (divided use)
• 1 to 1 1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
• Powdered sugar, for garnish