Peach Melba Shortcakes Recipes

PEACH MELBA SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix peaches, raspberries and 3/4 cup sugar. Let stand 1 hour so fruit will become juicy.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup sugar, the baking powder and salt. Cut in butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Using wooden spoon, stir in 2/3 cup milk, the almond extract and egg just until blended. (Dough will be stiff.)
• On ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by 8 spoonfuls about 2 inches apart. Brush with 1 tablespoon milk; sprinkle almonds over tops of each. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
• Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet; cool 10 minutes.
• Cut shortcakes in half. Spoon about 1/4 cup ice cream onto bottom of each shortcake. Top each with 1/2 cup of the peach mixture; add tops of shortcakes.

PEACH MELBA SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• For cakes:
• Preheat oven to 350#176;F. Brush six 4-inch-diameter tartlet pans with 1 1/8-inch-high sides and removable bottoms* with melted butter. Place pans on baking sheet. Using electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar in large bowl until light. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt over mixture in bowl. Mix slightly, then add buttermilk; beat until combined. Divide batter among prepared pans (about scant 1/2 cup each).
• Bake cakes until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer pans to rack; cool 5 minutes. Push up bottoms of pans to release cakes. Cool cakes on rack.
• For sauce and topping:
• Puree thawed raspberries with their syrup in processor. Strain through sieve set over bowl, pressing on solids to extract liquid. (Cakes and berry sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover cakes and store at room temperature. Cover sauce and chill.)
• Combine peaches, fresh raspberries and 4 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl; toss to blend. Let stand until juices form, about 30 minutes.
• Beat cream, vanilla and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until stiff peaks form.
• Using serrated knife, cut cakes in half horizontally. Lightly sift powdered sugar over cake tops. Place 1 cake bottom on each of 6 plates. Top each with peach mixture, dividing equally. Spoon cream atop each. Cover with cake tops. Spoon raspberry sauce around cakes.
• *Tartlet pans are available at many cake and candy supply stores or by mail from Jane's Cakes and Chocolates, 2331 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose, CA 91020; 818-957-2511 or 800-262-7630.