Chocolate Biscuit Strawberry Shortcakes

Biscuits:

1 3/4 cup self-rising flour

1/3 cup Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder*

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cold shortening, cut into 6 pieces (You can use all butter if you don’t have shortening, but it does give the biscuits a lighter texture.)

1/4 cup cold butter (not margarine), cut into 6 pieces

1/2 cup buttermilk, plus 1 or 2 tablespoons

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon melted butter

Shortcakes:

1 (16-oz) container fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

2 tablespoons sugar

1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip 

Strawberry halves, for garnish