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Summer wouldn't be complete without this peach bourbon shortcake! Sweet cornmeal biscuits are topped with marinated peaches and whipped cream cheese for a truly wonderful seasonal treat.
What makes this dish special
My ultimate goal on Cherry on My Sundae is to provide an entirely unique recipe. Although it can be difficult, as a professional chef and recipe developer, I love the challenge. Last year, I wanted to create a different type of shortcake dessert. So I decided to try to make strawberry shortcake, but with strawberry melon pan instead of the biscuits. It sounded like a great idea, but it turned out to be mediocre.
This year, I'm crawling back to shortcakes but decided to stick to the more traditional recipe with just a couple of alterations. This peach bourbon shortcake has it all, from sweet peaches to buttery cornmeal biscuits to creamy whipped cream cheese. Oh, and just a hint of booze, because well, it's the summer and who can say no to that?
For another delicious shortcake recipe, check out these lemon blueberry shortcakes!
Recipe
Peach Bourbon Shortcake
Ingredients
Cornmeal biscuits
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (218 grams)
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal (78 grams)
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
- ½ cup cold butterplus extra for brushing cut into small pieces (113 grams)
- ⅔ cup buttermilk, plus extra for brushing (167 ml)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Marinated peaches
- 2 cups sliced yellow peaches (10 ounces, about 2-3 peaches)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
Whipped cream cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (33 grams)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ cup heavy cream (125 ml)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the cornmeal biscuits. Combine all-purpose flour with yellow cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or with your hands until the butter is fully incorporated and mixture resembles coarse sand. Slowly add buttermilk, mixing continuously until dough comes together. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in freezer for 20 minutes.
- Dust a clean work counter with flour. Roll out dough until it's ¼-inch thick. Fold dough in half roll out the dough again until it's ½-inch-thick. Cut into 6 biscuits and transfer to baking sheet. Brush tops with buttermilk and sprinkle coarse sugar on top. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Meanwhile, marinate peaches. Slice enough peaches to make 2 cups, about 2-3 peaches. Gently toss with honey, bourbon, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt. Let sit for 20 minutes.
- Whip softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and milk until well combined. Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture and until well combined.
- Slice biscuits in half and top with whipped cream cheese and bourbon peaches. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Prepare biscuit dough
Biscuits had a reputation for being incredibly difficult to master. I remember the first time I made a biscuit, they were flat little cookies rather than biscuits. Nowadays, you can find loads of tips and tricks online that can help you master how to make biscuits.
Today we're doing a little something different and making sweet cornmeal biscuits. The addition of cornmeal adds a lovely texture that makes it perfect for these peach bourbon shortcakes.
To make the biscuits, first make sure all of the ingredients are cold. If your kitchen is especially warm, you can even chill the dry ingredients to ensure success.
Use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut the butter into the flour. By the time the butter is fully incorporated, the mixture should resemble coarse sand. You can use a food processor, but use the "pulse" button, making sure to mix just until combined.
Add the buttermilk and mix until a dough comes together. This dough was a bit wetter than my usual biscuit doughs, but not to worry, it will turn out great.
Chill the biscuits in the freezer for 20 minutes to prevent the butter from melting. Although this step isn't entirely necessary, I do find it helpful, especially when the weather is particularly warm.
Step 2: Shape biscuits
When the dough firms up a bit, roll it out into a rectangle about 8x10 inches in length. Fold the dough into quarters and then roll it out again until it's about ½ inch thick.
I like to use the folding method to create beautiful layers in the biscuit. If the dough starts to get too warm after the fold, pop it in the refrigerator for another 15 minutes or so.
Cut the biscuits into 6 portions and brush the tops with buttermilk and coarse sugar - another great finishing touch. Bake until golden brown, rotating the pan halfway through the cooking process.
Now step back and admire your work. Just by looking at the sides, you can tell these are going to be some soft cornmeal biscuits!
Step 3: Marinate peaches
While the biscuits are cooling, marinate the peaches. I personally prefer yellow peaches, but you can go with nectarines, berries, apricots, or really any fruit your heart desires.
Toss the fruit with just a touch of bourbon, vanilla, honey, and sea salt. You can omit the bourbon if you're not a fan.
A short 20 minutes later, you can see the peaches softening and the juices sitting on the bottom of the bowl. I can drink those peach juices just by themselves, it's so good!
Whip up some cream cheese, and you're ready to assemble the peach bourbon shortcakes.
Unlike my not-so-great strawberry melon pan shortcakes, I knew this peach bourbon shortcake was going to be a success. The whipped cream cheese adds more depth than regular whipped cream and pairs perfectly with the juicy peaches and crumbly, buttery cornmeal biscuits. I guess some dishes are just better in the traditional way!
For more delicious summer desserts, check out these strawberry guava crumb bars, hojicha tres leches cake, and almond cake with spiced roasted cherries!
More peach dessert recipes
Looking for more peach dessert ideas? Try these:
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