Caramelized Plum Shortcakes
When shortcakes come to mind it seems they're always based around strawberries. But plums are such a good fit especially when you caramelize them. I got this recipe from Mary Janes Farm and thought it was such a creative way to put plums to use. I almost ran into a minor catastrophe when my puppy Bella dug her little whiskers into my first round of shortcakes just after I set out a piece for my husband. I was so upset but as usual the rescue dog got away free of charge. I left out the toasted pecans recommended in the recipe because I thought it overkill on an already perfect dish.
You could substitute other stone fruits here, or whatever looks delicious at the farmer's market.
INGREDIENTS
| 1 1/2 tbsp | local butter |
| 1/2 cup | sugar |
| Pinch sea salt | |
| 1/8 tsp | nutmeg |
| 1 1/2 tbsp | water |
| 4 cups | plums, pitted and cut into wedges |
| 2 cups | flour |
| 2 1/2 tsp | baking powder |
| 1/2 tsp | sea salt |
| 1/4 tsp | nutmeg |
| 2 tbsp | sugar |
| 6 tbsp | cold butter, cut into small pieces |
| 3/4 cup | half and half |
| Topping | |
| 1 cup | heavy cream chilled |
| 1/4 cup | sour cream, chilled |
| 2 tbsp | powdered sugar |
| 1/2 tsp | vanilla |
PREPARATION:
Method
- Melt the butter in a pan. Add sugar, sea salt, nutmeg, water, and plums.
- Slowly cook the plums on low, stirring constantly so that the plums brown slowly and infuse with the flavors of the sugar, salt, and nutmeg.
- In a larger bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and sugar so that they combine evenly.
- Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or a fork.
- Make a depression in flour and add half and half.
- Mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are combined but do not over mix.
- Rollout the dough on a floured surface and knead a few times to smooth it out. The dough should be 3/4 inch thick. Cut with a 4 inch biscuit cutter.
- Bake for about 12 minutes on 450 degrees or until golden brown.
- Beat heavy cream, sour cream, sugar, vanilla and continue to whip on medium speed until it forms peaks.
- Top the shortcakes with caramelized plums and topping.
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