Roasted Plum Shortcakes Recipes

PLUM-TAHINI SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Make the shortcakes: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pulse the flour, sugar, sesame seeds, tahini, baking powder and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces. Whisk the heavy cream and egg in a small bowl. Pulsing constantly, drizzle the cream mixture into the flour mixture; pulse until the dough comes together. Transfer to a medium bowl and knead 3 or 4 times.
• Scoop 6 balls of dough (about 1/2 cup each) onto the prepared baking sheet using a large ice cream scoop or a measuring cup, spacing the dough 2 to 3 inches apart. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brush each ball of dough with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Toss the plums with the sugar and vanilla bean in a medium saucepan; let sit 30 minutes. Cook over medium heat until the juices are bubbling and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Discard the vanilla bean and transfer the plums to a bowl. Let cool to room temperature, at least 2 hours.
• Beat the heavy cream and honey in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Split each shortcake and fill with the whipped cream and plums.

ROASTED PLUM SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• For the shortcake biscuits: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, granulated sugar and salt. Whisk to combine and evenly distribute the leavening. Add the shortening and butter and toss to coat the fat just a bit with the flour. Using your fingertips, gently work the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal with some pea-size chunks of fat.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg, and add this to the flour mixture. Stir together with a wooden spoon. Then, gently work through the mixture with your hands to separate any wet patches and bring the dough together.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface, fold it over a few times and knead gently until it just holds together. Pat the dough into a rough 1/2-inch-tall rectangle. Cut out biscuits with a 3-inch biscuit cutter. Pat the scraps together and cut an additional biscuit. You should have 6 to 8 biscuits. Evenly space the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Set aside.
• For the roasted plums: Pour the butter into a shallow baking dish and tip from side to side to coat the bottom. Add the maple syrup and orange juice, swirling to "stir" the mixture. Line the baking dish with the plums, flesh-side down.
• Bake both the biscuits and plums for about 20 minutes. Remove the biscuits when golden brown. Continue to cook the plums until the juices have thickened, about another 15 minutes. Cool completely before assembling.
• For the whipped cream: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together the cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until medium peaks form.
• To assemble: Split four of the biscuits horizontally in half; reserve the remaining biscuits for another use (see Cook's Note). Place the bottom of each biscuit on a serving plate. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream, followed by a few plum slices and their juices. Top with the biscuit tops.