Brown Sugar Shortcake with Warm Bourbon Peaches

Brown Sugar Shortcake with Warm Bourbon Peaches
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
40 minutes
Rating
4(361)
Comments
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The juicier the peaches, the better this luscious summer dessert will be. Handle the dough lightly and make sure not to overbake it. Assemble the whole thing just before serving, and watch it disappear.

Featured in: Fruit and Shortcake, The Sum of Two Sweet Parts

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Ingredients

Yield:6 servings

    For the Shortcake

    • 230grams all-purpose flour (about 2 cups)
    • 55grams dark brown sugar (or about ¼ cup packed), more for sprinkling
    • 15grams cornstarch (about 2 tablespoons)
    • 15grams baking powder (about 1 tablespoon)
    • 5grams fine sea salt (about 1 teaspoon)
    • 7tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
    • ½cup heavy cream
    • 1egg, well beaten
    • 1tablespoon melted butter

    For the Peaches

    • 2tablespoons bourbon, brandy or rum
    • 25grams dark brown sugar (about 2 tablespoons)
    • pounds peaches, sliced (about 4 cups)
    • cups heavy cream, whipped
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

559 calories; 33 grams fat; 20 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 58 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 22 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 551 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a baking sheet. In a bowl, combine flour, 55 grams of sugar, cornstarch, baking powder and salt, and whisk well. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingers. When butter is in pea-size pieces, mix in cream and egg until a soft batter forms.

  2. Step 2

    Dump batter onto a floured surface and knead until it holds together. Divide batter into 2 pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Press larger piece of dough into a ½-inch-thick round, roughly 8 inches in diameter. Place on baking sheet and brush with butter. Press remaining dough into a ½-inch-thick round and place on top of first dough round. It should be smaller in size. Brush with butter and sprinkle with more sugar. Bake until shortcake is golden brown and firm to the touch all over, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool.

  3. Step 3

    Meanwhile, prepare the peaches. In a medium skillet, heat bourbon and add 1 tablespoon water and 25 grams of sugar. Cook until sugar dissolves, then add peaches. Let cook until peaches are warmed through and release their juices, about 2 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Carefully cut smaller top round off shortcake. Place shortcake bottom on a serving plate and cover with warm peaches and their liquid (reheat fruit if necessary). Spoon whipped cream over peaches and place shortcake top over cream. Serve immediately.

Ratings

4 out of 5
361 user ratings
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Comments

Do you have to peel the peaches or will the skins separate with cooking?

Is it necessary to bake the layers on top of one another? Can you bake separately?

This is very good. Even better after it's rested for a bit and softened.
A gluten-free version came out quite well also.

Why does someone suggest a variation in the recipe that they haven’t tried but that “should” be tasty, then tell readers to let them know if it was any good?

I can't say much about the shortcake, as I haven't made it. Our local market bakes excellent shortcakes to serve with fruit all summer and I cheat and use those, warmed slightly in the oven. But the peaches are excellent! Cheating with quality store bought shortcakes, and just making the warm bourbon peaches with perfectly ripe, sweet, juicy local peaches is a summer treat that's fast and easy, 10 minutes or less from start to finish.

This is perfection and has become an annual tradition. I follow the recipe exactly as written and wouldn’t change a thing.

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