Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks with Mint Whipped Cream: The Ultimate Summer Dessert Recipe
As the vibrant days of summer gradually transition into the golden hues of late August, our palates crave something truly special – a dessert that’s both invigorating and comforting. Look no further than these spectacular Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks with Mint Whipped Cream. This exquisite recipe perfectly captures the essence of the season, offering a fruity, refreshing, and delicately sweet finale to any meal. Each stack is a delightful symphony of flavors and textures, featuring plump, juicy peaches and sun-ripened blackberries, lovingly macerated to intensify their natural sweetness. These luscious fruits are nestled between tender, homemade shortcake biscuits and crowned with a light, airy mint whipped cream. It’s an indulgent treat that leaves you feeling utterly satisfied, never weighed down, making it the quintessential summer dessert you’ll want to make again and again.
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Embracing the Peak of Peach Season
Let’s be honest with each other: are you tired of all the peach-themed treats popping up everywhere lately? Because I, for one, am absolutely not! As summer draws to a close, my cravings shift dramatically towards all the magnificent fruits currently in season. From the sweet, fuzzy allure of peaches to the tart burst of blackberries, and even intriguing fruits like pluots (keep an eye out for more on these magical beauties later this month!) and tropical mangos, I find myself indulging in fresh fruit for days on end. This natural inclination towards seasonal bounty is precisely why these Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks feel like the ultimate dessert, embodying every wonderful feeling of late summertime.
And what better way to celebrate such a season-defining dessert than with a special occasion? This delightful recipe is also a wonderful way to mark a very exciting event: a virtual baby shower! I’m absolutely thrilled to share this stunning dessert in celebration of my dear friend Stephanie, the creative mind behind Sustaining the Powers, who is welcoming a precious new addition to her family. I couldn’t be more ecstatic for this incredible woman, and I’m eagerly anticipating the first adorable pictures of her little nugget!
Don’t forget to explore the full collection of recipes created to celebrate Stephanie’s virtual baby shower below! There are so many delicious bites and indulgent treats; you absolutely have to check them out for more inspiration.
- Mini Lemon Cheesecake Bites from A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
- Strawberry Watermelon Slushies from I Say Nomato
- BLT Bruschetta from The Speckled Palate
- Spinach Artichoke Phyllo Bites from A Savory Feast
- Limoncello Lemonade from Feast + West
The Secret to Irresistible Fruit: Maceration Explained
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found immense pleasure in the simple act of macerating fruits. This technique, where fruit is gently allowed to soak in its own juices with just a touch of sugar and often a squeeze of lemon, is nothing short of culinary magic. It transforms good fruit into extraordinary fruit, emboldening its flavors ten-fold and creating a luscious syrup that’s utterly divine. For these shortcake stacks, maceration is key. It softens the peaches to a tender perfection and deepens the vibrant color and tartness of the blackberries, releasing their natural sugars and creating a wonderfully rich, syrupy filling. This process not only enhances the taste but also improves the texture, making every bite incredibly succulent and flavorful. The natural sweetness and subtle acidity of the fruit become more pronounced, resulting in a complex and deeply satisfying taste experience that would make your mouth water simply on their own.
It’s basically fruit magic, and it’s a game-changer for any fruit-based dessert.
Crafting the Perfect Homemade Shortcake Biscuits
While the macerated fruit filling is undoubtedly the star of this dessert, I would be remiss not to shine a bright spotlight on the foundational element: the delightful shortcake biscuits. These are not just any biscuits; they are the perfect vehicle for carrying all that fruity goodness and fresh whipped cream. This biscuit recipe is incredibly easy to make, proving that homemade doesn’t have to mean complicated. It requires minimal effort and comes together in no time, yet it yields perfectly tender, fluffy biscuits with a subtly sweet flavor that’s just right for any shortcake creation you can imagine. The simplicity of the ingredients – flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and heavy cream – ensures a rich, delicate crumb that soaks up the fruit juices beautifully without becoming soggy. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a batch of these golden-brown beauties.
And as an added bonus, the leftover biscuits are absolutely perfect for breakfast the next day, perhaps with a smear of butter and a dollop of your favorite jam. Pure yum!
Elevating Flavor with Fresh Mint Whipped Cream
The final touch that brings these shortcake stacks to life is the incredibly fresh and cooling mint whipped cream. This isn’t just plain whipped cream; the subtle inclusion of freshly chopped mint transforms it into a fragrant, bright, and utterly refreshing component. The mint provides a wonderful counterpoint to the sweetness of the peaches and the slight tartness of the blackberries, tying all the flavors together in a harmonious blend. When you combine the tender biscuits, the sweet and tangy macerated fruit, and this light, invigorating mint whipped cream, you achieve a dessert that is not only surprisingly easy to create but also incredibly simple to plate up and serve with an effortlessly gorgeous presentation. It’s a true celebration of late summer flavors in every single bite – a real treat for anyone you wish to spoil this week.
Table of Contents
This Recipe’s Must Haves
- Ultra Cuisine Heavy Duty Cookie Biscuit Cutters to get the perfect shape for your shortcake biscuits.
- I love these Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet pans and I use them for EVERYTHING.
- Silpat Premium Silicone Baking Mat set that is just the right size to fit in the half sheet pans above!
Don’t forget to pin this Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks with Mint Whipped Cream recipe for later so you can easily find it whenever those summer fruit cravings hit!
Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks with Mint Whipped Cream
ingredients
- 3 peaches pitted and sliced
- 1 1/2 cups blackberries
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 Tbsp freshly chopped mint
instructions
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, combine peaches and blackberries with 2 Tbsp sugar. Stir to combine and let fruit macerate for 20 minutes.
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In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt for the biscuits. Pour over heavy cream and mix together dough with your hands until the dough comes together.
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Dump dough out on a flat work surface that’s been dusted with flour. Roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thick. Cut into 2-inch circles.
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Place dough circles on lined baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes until golden. Cool slightly.
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While the biscuits are baking, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together ingredients for the mint whipped cream.
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To make the shortcakes, cut the biscuits in half. Spread a layer of mint whipped cream on the bottom halves of the biscuits. Top with macerated fruit and other halves of the biscuits.
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Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use frozen fruit for this recipe?
While fresh peaches and blackberries are highly recommended for their vibrant flavor and texture, you can use frozen fruit as a substitute. If using frozen, let them thaw completely and drain any excess liquid before macerating to prevent your shortcakes from becoming too watery. The maceration process will still work to enhance their flavor.
How far in advance can I make the shortcake biscuits?
The shortcake biscuits are best served fresh and slightly warm. However, you can bake them up to a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For optimal freshness, rewarm them gently in the oven for a few minutes before assembling. The mint whipped cream should be made just before serving for the best texture.
What other fruit combinations would work well?
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with other seasonal fruits. Strawberries and blueberries are classic shortcake pairings. Cherries, raspberries, or even a mix of stone fruits like plums or apricots would also be delicious with the mint whipped cream. Adjust sugar levels based on the sweetness of your chosen fruits.
Can I make this dessert gluten-free?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure your baking powder is also gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients and steps remain the same.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Assembled shortcake stacks are best enjoyed immediately. If you have leftovers, it’s best to store the components separately. Keep the macerated fruit in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the whipped cream in a separate container, and the biscuits at room temperature. Assemble individual servings just before eating.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Summer Treat
These Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks with Mint Whipped Cream are more than just a dessert; they are an ode to the bountiful flavors of late summer. They’re a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest ingredients, prepared with a little love and a touch of magic (like maceration!), can yield the most memorable results. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, hosting a casual backyard gathering, or simply treating yourself to a moment of seasonal indulgence, this recipe promises to deliver. The balance of sweet and tart, the tender biscuits, and the refreshing cream make it an irresistible choice that will surely become a staple in your summer dessert repertoire. Go ahead, gather your fresh ingredients, and create these beautiful, flavorful stacks. Your taste buds will thank you!