You know those days when you have a laundry list 3 miles long, you're running on 3 hours sleep and you're fresh out of time, but you need a way to lift your spirits? We all do. This recipe for Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes honors those days.
Maybe you committed to bringing dessert to a cookout with buds and need to throw together something special. I've been there. I know what's it's like to be tempted by those pre-made shortcakes and that gloopy strawberry glaze that's strategically placed near the strawberries in the grocery store. Resist. You can do so much better. I believe in you.
It's easier than you think to make fresh shortcakes at home!
These Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes are a scratch recipe that whips up quicker than cake from a box. Yes, it's slightly more work than buying all pre-made ingredients but I promise you, this recipe is worth it. The shortcakes themselves can be prepped with nothing more than a mixing bowl and your hands. Then the nectarines just need a little heat and a kiss of love. This recipe is a no brainer during the summer months, especially if the grill is already on from dinner.
By adapting my recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcakes with Whipped Mascarpone, I came up with these summery and special Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes. They have everything you want in a homemade recipe. Cozy comfort, fresh ingredients and easy approachability!
These Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes aren't strictly sweet yet they aren't quite savory, but somewhere in the space between.
The magic is in the space between. There is just something extra special about they play of ingredients, flavors and textures of these Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes. And those peak summer nectarines make it all the more magical. Grilling fruit brings out so much hidden character and steals the dessert spotlight, every single time.
The combination of ingredients in these Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes is a delightful summer dream.
- Good quality butter gives these shortcakes their signature tender, crumbly texture that sops up the fruity juices yet remains sturdy and textural.
- Freshly cracked peppercorns add warmth and intrigue to the shortcakes. Giving them a little something extra that truly elevates the rest of the flavors.
- Fresh nectarines bring juicy sweet freshness to the comforting flavors of the shortcakes.
- Honey butter adds dimension and richness to the sweet nectarines when it's smeared on just before grilling. Then caramelizes on the surface of the nectarines in a smoky sweet tango.
- Crème fraîche swoops in as a hero whipped topping. The tangy zip and luxuriously creamy freshness brings so much more to the table than classic whipped cream.
- Lemon in both the shortcakes and the whisked crème fraîche adds an overall brightness to the whole deal.
The sweetness of the juicy nectarines deepens when they are glazed with homemade honey
butter and grilled up like a steak on a barbie
. The sugars caramelize while grilling and take on a charred and smoky flavor. With a biscuity texture, the crumbly shortcakes are split and filled with the glazed grilled nectarines, then topped with a hearty dollop of lemony 
crème fraîche for a smooth and creamy partner to the grilled up goodness.
Fresh baked peppery shortcakes, lemony crème fraîche
and freshly grilled nectarines. Time to layer it up!These Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes are an obvious choice for dessert but if you possibly added a little prosciutto and a simple side salad, I am confident they could hold their own as a full meal deal.
Recipe
GRILLED NECTARINE SHORTCAKES
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Description
These Grilled Nectarine Shortcakes blur the lines between sweet and savory with pepper spiced, butter-rich, crumbly shortcakes, smoky sweet grilled nectarines and smooth, lemony crème fraîche.
Ingredients
SHORTCAKES
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon fresh ground peppercorns
- ½ teaspooon fine sea salt
- 1 lemon, finely zested ((reserve the lemon juice for crème fraîche))
- ½ cup cold, unsalted butter ((plus 1 tablespoon for brushing))
- 1 cup buttermilk or heavy cream
- 1-2 tablespoons sparkling or sanding sugar
LEMONY CREME FRAICHE
- 1 7.5 oz container crème fraîche
- 1 lemon (juiced)
GRILLED NECTARINES
- 6 whole nectarines
- 2 tablespoons butter ((melted))
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
SHORTCAKES
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Measure out flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, ground peppercorns and salt into a bowl with high sides. Whisk to combine.
- Cut the cold butter into ½" cubes. Use a pastry blender, two butter knives or your hands to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse meal with small, visible butter chunks.
- Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the buttermilk or heavy cream. Mix with a fork until the dough just begins to come together in large clumps, it wont take long.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times until it becomes a somewhat cohesive mass. Pat the dough into a rectangle, 6" x 9" and 1" thick. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 6, 3" squares. Transfer to lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- For a crisp top, brush the tops of the shortcakes lightly with melted butter or cream. Sprinkle with sparkling or sanding sugar.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. They should be a warm golden brown on top and a toasty brown on the bottom. Set aside to cool.
LEMONY CREME FRAICHE
- Whisk together the juice of 1 lemon and crème fraîche. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
GRILLED NECTARINES
- Warm a grill over medium-high heat.
- Whisk together melted butter and honey in a small bowl.
- Slice the nectarines in half by inserting a knife into stem end of nectarine; slice into halves lengthwise to the pit, turning nectarine while slicing. Twist halves to pull apart. Remove pit from nectarine using tip of paring knife and discard pit.
- Brush the tops of the nectarines with the honey butter glaze.
- Grill nectarines, cut-sides down, over medium-heat for 5-7 minutes or until they turn a deep golden brown with some charring and caramelization.
ASSEMBLE THE GRILLED NECTARINES SHORTCAKES
- Split the shortcakes in half. Brush the nectarines once more with remaining honey butter mixtures.
- Top the bottom half of the shortcakes with crème fraîche, followed by 2 grilled nectarine halves. Then top with shortcake toppers.
- Serve immediately and enjoy immensely.
Notes
*The recipe for the shortcakes has been adapted from the Grand Central Bakery Strawberry Shortcake Recipe in The Grand Central Baking Book.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Dayn Wilberding says
<3 grilled stone fruits! It's the best way to have them.