Best Peach Tarragon Shortcake Recipes

SOUTHERN PEACH SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9-inch cast iron skillet and set aside. Reserve remaining butter.
• Combine flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter with a pastry knife until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour in milk and stir just until the dough starts to come together.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball. Divide ball in half and lightly knead each half. Gently roll each half into a 9-inch circle.
• Place 1 dough circle into the prepared skillet, and dot with reserved butter. Place second dough circle on top of the butter pieces, and place the skillet in the center of the preheated oven.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is lightly browned, 22 to 25 minutes.
• While the shortcake is baking, prepare peaches. Slice 1 peach, toss with 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and set aside. Chop the remaining peaches, yielding about 4 cups, and toss with remaining lemon juice.
• Turn shortcake out onto a rack to slightly cool, about 5 minutes. Slice in half crosswise, using the edge of the second layer as a guide. Place bottom half on a serving plate, cut side up.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup white sugar on a plate and lightly mash 2 cups of peaches into the sugar. Spread out mashed peaches and sugar over the shortcake layer on the serving plate. Cover mashed peaches with the second shortcake layer, cut side up.
• Toss remaining chopped peaches with remaining sugar and distribute on top of the second layer. Toss peach slices in any remaining juice, and place in a decorative pattern on top of the shortcake.

PEACH SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• For the marinated peaches: Mix together the granulated sugar, orange liqueur, basil and orange zest in a bowl. Add the peaches and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• For the sweet biscuits: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter until it is incorporated. Mix the buttermilk and vanilla together in a small pitcher. Slowly add the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture, stirring the contents of the bowl as you do so, until just combined.
• Form 6 biscuits and place them into a cast-iron skillet. Sprinkle the tops generously with coarse sugar. Bake until golden brown, 24 to 26 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
• For the whipped cream: Using an electric mixer, whisk together the heavy cream and granulated sugar until soft peaks form.
• To serve, halve the biscuits, then place the bottom halves on serving plates. Top with the whipped cream and marinated peaches. Rest the biscuit tops on the side so the filling is visible. Garnish with torn basil.

FRESH PEACH SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Position oven rack in lower one-third of the oven.
• Butter and flour an 8-inch square baking pan.
• In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/8 tsp nutmeg and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, WHISK together eggs, half and half cream, 6 Tbsp butter, lemon zest and vanilla until combined (butter will stay lumpy).
• Stir in 1 cup sugar until combined.
• Stir in the flour mixture, just until combined.
• Pour the batter into prepared baking pan.
• Bake for 35 minutes, or until cake is light golden, and tests done.
• Cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes.
• Remove from pan; cool completely on a rack.
• In a large non-stick skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium heat.
• Add the peaches, cardamon, remaining sugar, ginger and nutmeg; cook, stirring often until slightly softened (about 5-7 minutes).
• Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until cooled (about 15-20 minutes).
• In a bowl, beat the whipping cream with the 2 tbsp icing sugar until stiff peaks form.
• To assemble the cake: cut cake into 9 squares.
• Cut each square in half horizontally.
• Top each cake bottom with about 1-1/2 Tbsp whipped cream, and 4 peach wedges.
• Pour some pan juices over.
• Place the cake top over, and garnish each with about 1-1/2 Tbsp whipped cream.

CARAMELIZED PEACH AND MASCARPONE SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• For the genoise: Preheat the oven to 335 degrees F (or 325 if using convection). Grease a half sheet pan and line it with parchment.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs for 5 minutes until light and frothy. With the mixer on medium speed, slowly add the sugar; increase to medium-high speed and beat to a ribbon consistency, another 5 minutes.
• Combine the butter and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 2 minutes, until the butter is melted and the milk is hot. Set aside.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla and then slowly add the flour mixture; mix until combined, scraping down the sides.
• Whisk about 1 cup from the mixer in the hot milk-butter until smooth, then return to the mixer, whisking until just combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared half sheet pan and bake until an inserted toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Let cool for 15 minutes, then remove the cake from the pan and use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut out 12 mini cake rounds.
• For the whipped cream: Bloom the gelatin in 2 tablespoons cold water to dissolve.
• In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the mascarpone until smooth and fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. Slowly add the cream; beat until smooth, then add the vanilla. Raise the mixer speed to high and beat to soft/medium peaks.
• Mix a dollop of the whipped cream into the gelatin, then add back to the mixer. Whip to medium peaks. Chill until ready to use.
• For the caramelized peaches: Toss the peaches, sugar and salt together in a bowl.
• Heat a medium-large skillet over medium heat until hot; add the butter. Place the peaches, cut side down, in the skillet and cook, turning once, until caramelized on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side; be careful to keep the peach skins intact. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool for about 10 minutes.
• To assemble: Place a cake round on a plate and top with two peach wedges, skin-sides facing out.
• Scoop some whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a large round or star tip and pipe a swirl in the center of the round, between the peach wedges.
• Top with a second cake round and pipe another swirl of whipped cream in the center. Garnish with a peach wedge and a wedge of white chocolate if using.
• Repeat to make 6 shortcakes total.

THE LADY'S PEACH SHORTCAKE - PAULA DEEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• To make shortcakes, mix together bisquick, sugar, milk, butter and almond flavoring.
• Pour into 12 well greased muffin tins and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Cool for 5 minutes and remove from pan.
• Peel, core and slice peaches and immediately sprinkle with Fruit Fresh to prevent peaches from turning brown.
• Add a splash of warm water to the peaches to moisten.
• Stir sugar into peaches, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To serve, split biscuit in half and place bottom on plate.
• Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and place top half of biscuit over ice cream and fruit.
• Top with more peaches and then a bit of whipped cream.

PEACH-BERRY SHORTCAKE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 12 regular-size cupcake liners.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a standard hand held mixer and large mixing bowl), mix the sugar, oil, salt and peaches on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add the eggs and continue mixing on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix again on medium speed for 10 seconds. Next, in a blender or food processor, combine the corn and whipping cream and blend for 20 seconds until smooth. Add this creamed corn mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on medium speed until incorporated.
• In a medium bowl, sift the flour and baking powder and stir in the cornmeal. Add to the wet ingredient mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated. Now, add the baking soda, followed by the vinegar for an immediate bubbling action. Add 1/4 cup cold water and mix on low speed for 5 seconds. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl one last time to be sure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees after 9 minutes of baking. Oven heat and times may vary so bake until the tops are no longer wet and spring back upon touching. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• Keep the oven on, but increase the temperature to 400 degrees F.
• For the shortcakes: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a standard hand held mixer and medium mixing bowl), add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Next, use your fingers to break the butter into pea-size pieces and add to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds until incorporated. Add the milk, cream, tarragon and vanilla and continue mixing on low speed until the flour is fully incorporated.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With a spoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of batter onto the baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Oven heat and times may vary so bake the shortcakes until they are golden brown. Cool the shortcakes completely. With your fingers, break each shortcake into 3 equal pieces and set aside.
• For the compote: In a small bowl, combine the blackberries, peaches and strawberries. Add the sugar and gently fold into mixture. Set aside.
• For the frosting: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a standard hand held mixer and medium mixing bowl), whip the heavy cream on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. In a small bowl, sift the powdered sugar. Add the sugar to the whipped cream mixture and mix on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. The frosting should be able to stand on its own.
• To assemble: Begin assembling the cupcakes by placing a spoonful of peach-berry compote on top of each cupcake. Place the frosting in a piping bag with a round tip or in a gallon-size plastic baggy and snip 1/2-inch off the corner. Next, pipe frosting onto the compote. Place a piece of the tarragon shortcake on top of the frosting. Finally, top with another small spoonful of peach-berry compote. With a tweezer or small tong, delicately place a tarragon leaf on top.

PEACH-TARRAGON SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Peaches Using the tip of a paring knife, score an X in the bottom of each peach. Cook in a large pot of boiling water just until skins begin to peel back where cut, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice water; let cool. Peel; cut over a medium bowl into 1/4"-thick wedges, collecting juices.
• Add tarragon and sugar to peaches and toss to combine. Let stand, tossing occasionally, until peaches release their juices and sugar is dissolved, about 1 hour.
• Shortcake and assembly:
• Preheat oven to 425°. Heat butter and tarragon in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted; set aside.
• Whisk cake flour, baking powder, salt, 1 cup all-purpose flour, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a large bowl. Drizzle chilled cream over and mix gently until dough holds together.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a shaggy ball, being careful not to overwork. Place on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and form into an 8"-diameter disk, about 1/2" thick. Brush with some reserved melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake until shortcake edges are golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Bake until golden brown all over, 8-10 minutes longer.
• Brush shortcake with remaining melted butter. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Cut shortcake into 8 wedges, spoon peaches and their juices over, and top with whipped cream.