Best Apricot Nectarine Shortcake With Vanilla Whipped Cream Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• 1. FRUIT: Prepare fruit by washing and cutting as needed. Sprinkle with sugar and set aside. (May use any that you like: strawberry, blueberry, peaches, apricot, raspberry, cherry -- even canned if you're in a pinch, but fresh is SO much better)
• 2. SHORTCAKE: Sift the dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until resembles coarse corn meal.
• 3. NOTE: If you use self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt, and decrease liquid if necessary
• 4. Combine milk and water and add to dry ingredients all at once. Mix with a fork until moistened.
• 5. Turn out on lightly floured surface and knead 10 to 15 times.
• 6. Roll or pat 1/2-inch thick, cut with floured biscuit cutter (or drinking glass)--(should get about 6 individual shortcakes -- form scraps into one more if possible -- can make more with smaller diameter glass for smaller portions)
• 7. Bake 450 F on ungreased baking sheet for 10-12 minutes
• 8. WHIPPED TOPPING: Put milk in a covered mixing bowl and place in freezer for 15-20 minutes (until soft crystals form in the milk)
• 9. Remove from freezer and whip until stiff (about 1 minute) (if you've never done this before, you'll be surprised at how wonderfully well it whips)
• 10. Add lemon juice and continue whipping until VERY stiff. (It will triple in volume)
• 11. Beat in sugar and vanilla.
• 12. ASSEMBLY: Split shortcakes in half with a fork or knife. Place half on plate and cover with fruit. Top with other biscuit half, and more fruit. Spoon the whipped topping over all and serve immediately.
• 13. Some people like to put a little butter on the biscuit before putting the fruit on. Even a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar with the butter -- Up to you!
• 14. For a nice video on whipping evaporated milk watch this: http://www.southernplate.com/2013/10/how-to-make-whipped-cream-with-canned-evaporated-milk.html

BUCKWHEAT SHORTCAKES WITH EARL-GREY APRICOT COMPOTE AND WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Make the shortcakes:
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with two layers of parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk the flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour the cream into it (set the measuring cup aside) and add the grated frozen butter. Use a rubber spatula to push the dry ingredients from the sides of the bowl into the well, cutting and turning the mixture just until the dry ingredients are almost entirely moistened and the dough looks rough and shaggy. Gather the dough into a ball and knead it gently against the sides of the bowl five or so times, pressing loose pieces into the dough, until it just holds together (it should not be smooth) and the bowl is fairly clean.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and pat into a circle about 3/4-inch thick. Using the biscuit cutter or an overturned glass, and re-patting the dough as needed, cut the dough into 8 even rounds. Place them at least 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with the cream left in the bottom of the measuring cup or with a little milk, and sprinkle generously with turbinado sugar.
• Bake the shortcakes until the tops are just barely golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool.
• Make the filling:
• Set a medium saucepan with 2 cups water over high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and let steep 3 minutes. Remove tea bags and add apricots, honey, and vanilla bean. Return to stove and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat; cook until the apricots are soft and the liquid has reduced to a thick syrup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove vanilla bean.
• Meanwhile, in the chilled bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or using a medium mixing bowl and a handheld electric mixer or a whisk, whip the cream, adding the sugar as it begins to thicken. Continue beating until it holds a soft shape-not too stiff. (The cream can be covered and refrigerated for up to several hours. If liquid separates from the cream, whisk briefly before using.)
• Assemble the Dessert:
• To assemble the shortcakes, gently pull each shortcake apart horizontally into two equal halves. Place the bottom halves on serving plates. Top each with a generous scoop of apricot compote (about 2 tablespoons) and a dollop of whipped cream. Cover with the tops of the biscuits and serve.