Spiced Plum Shortcakes

Prep Time: 0 Minutes

Cook Time: 0 Minutes

Ready In: 0 Minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger

2 tablespoons sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

3/4 cup half and half

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2 pounds dark red or purple plums, halved, pitted, cut into 1/2-inch slices

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 cup chilled whipping cream

2 teaspoons powdered sugar

1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger

additional powdered sugar

Directions:

1. For biscuits: Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Add butter; rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add half and half; stir just until dough forms. Gather dough into ball with floured hands. Gently knead 8 times against side of bowl. Roll out dough on floured surface to 3/4-inch-thick round. Using 3-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out 5 biscuits; place on ungreased baking sheet. Gather dough and reroll as needed to make 1 more biscuit. Bake biscuits until pale golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool 20 minutes. (Biscuits can be made 8 hours ahead; cool completely and store in airtight container at room temperature.)
2. For spiced plums: Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add plums and sugar. Cook until sugar dissolves and becomes syrupy and plums are just tender, stirring constantly, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon and ground ginger. Cool 5 minutes. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature; rewarm before serving.)
3. Using electric mixer, beat cream in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Add 2 teaspoons powdered sugar and beat to firm peaks. Fold in crystallized ginger.
4. Cut biscuits in half; place bottom halves on 6 dessert plates. Top with warm plums, then cream. Cover with biscuit tops. Sift powdered sugar over.

By RecipeOfHealth.com