Peach Shortcake

 

 

 

Peach Shortcake

Adapted from Martha Hall Foose’s “A Southerly Course”
Makes 1 (8-inch) cake

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh peaches, peeled and thinly sliced (recommended: freestone)
• 7 tablespoons (packed) light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon bourbon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted (Heat oven to 350 degrees F, and toast pecans on a baking sheet for 5 minutes.)

1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter or nonstick spray, and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the peaches, 4 tablespoons of the brown sugar, bourbon, and ginger. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Using two forks, a pastry cutter, or your fingertips, cut in the butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
5. Add the milk, stirring just until moistened.
6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, and gently knead 10 times, or until the dough comes together and is smooth.
7. Pat the dough evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
8. Remove the shortcake from the pan, and let it cool on a wire rack.
9. When ready to serve, whip the cream with the remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar until stiff peaks form.
10. Split the shortcake in half horizontally, like opening a big biscuit. Place the bottom layer on a serving platter. Spoon half of the peach mixture (including the liquid) over the cake, and top with half of the whipped cream.
11. Cover with the second cake layer, and top with the remaining peach mixture (including the liquid) and whipped cream.
12. Sprinkle with pecans and serve.

Peach Crumb Bars

Peach Crumb Bars
Yield: 24 bars
For the Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
1 egg, lightly beaten
For the Filling:
5 cups diced or sliced peaches (about 7 peaches, peeled)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. For the Dough: In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Use a pastry blender to cut in the butter, and then the egg. The dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared pan. Place the pan and the remainder of the dough in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
3. For the Filling: Place the diced (or sliced) peaches in a large bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice. Mix gently. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over the peaches and mix gently.
4. Spread the peach mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough over the peach layer.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
(Dough recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen; Filling recipe from Allrecipes)