Fruit Custard Shortcake Food

MIXED FRUIT SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the berries, peaches and 2 teaspoons sugar; set aside. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk just until moistened. Drop by lightly packed 1/3 cupfuls 2 in. apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. Gently flatten into 2-1/2-in. circles. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. , Bake at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Split shortcakes in half horizontally. Spoon fruit onto bottoms; spread whipped cream over fruit or on the shortcake tops.

FRUIT CUSTARD SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200/gas 7. Make up the scone mix according to pack instructions, then press out into a circle approx 20cm across on a lightly floured baking sheet. Make the edge a little thicker than the middle. Bake for 10 mins until risen and light golden. Meanwhile, put the fruit and sugar in a shallow baking dish and microwave on High for 5 mins until hot, but the berries are still holding their shape. Heat the custard according to pack instructions.
• Spoon a layer of the custard onto the scone base, then top with the drained fruit. Serve with the rest of the custard.

MIXED BERRY SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Stir in milk until blended. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. transfer to a bowl; press a piece of plastic wrap on top of custard. Refrigerate., In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and remaining sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk until a soft dough forms. Pat gently into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack., Cut shortcake into 3/4-in. cubes. In parfait glasses, alternate layers of shortcake, custard, sliced strawberries and blueberries. Garnish with halved strawberries and a dollop of whipped topping.

PLUM KUCHEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Mix flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and baking powder together.
• Cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs; add 2 tablespoons heavy cream and 1 egg.
• Press in bottom of 9-inch square pan or pie pan and arrange plums on top.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes.
• While this is baking, in a bowl combine heavy cream, sugar, egg and vanilla, using a whisk to beat together well.
• Pour mixture over plums and bake an additional 20-30 minutes, until custard is set.
• Serve warm or cool.
• Store in refrigerator.

SUMMER FRUIT SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture; pour in the buttermilk and milk, and mix just until the dough gathers together. Do not overwork. Cover the bowl, and allow dough to rest 10 to 15 minutes. Roll or pat the dough into 6 rounds, each about 3 inches in diameter. Place on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until puffed and golden, about 15 minutes. Place on a rack and cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, combine the blueberries, apricots, and cherries in a bowl. Toss to blend and set aside.
• Beat the whipping cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Stir in 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Split the shortcakes in half and place the bottom halves on 6 serving plates. Spoon whipped cream over each half, top with fruit, and place a shortcake top on each. Dust tops with remaining 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar.

SHORTBREAD CRUST FOR CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy with electric mixer (about 3 minutes).
• Add extract; mix thoroughly (1 minute).
• Incorporate flour little at a time; mixing until thoroughly combined.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
• Turn dough out on a lightly floured board and roll out to 1/3" thickness.
• Line a tart pan (10" x 1" high with removable bottom) with the pastry dough.
• Prick dough and place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees.
• Bake for 15- 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven; cool and fill with pastry cream top with fresh fruit (kiwi, banana, strawberry, green seedless grapes, blueberries).

STRAWBERRY LEMON CUSTARD SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• BISCUITS: Sift dry ingredients together; mix in zest.
• Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Make a well in the center & pour the milk in; mix the flour into this until it forms a ball - when the mixture comes away from the sides of the bowl without sticking, its ready; if necessary, add a little more flour.
• Turn out onto a floured surface & gently knead 5 or 6 times - no more or it will become tough.
• Roll out about 1/2" thick, cut with a cookie cutter or floured glass & place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Brush with lemon juice, sprinkle with coarse sugar & bake in preheated 450F oven for 8 to 12 minutes or until light golden colour on top.
• CUSTARD: Whisk yolks, sugar, corn starch, zest & 1/4 cup of the milk in a bowl; set aside.
• In a heavy saucepan, heat the remaining milk over medium heat just until bubbles form around the edge; gradually, whisk into the yolk mixture.
• Return to the pan & cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 5 minutes.
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl; stir in lemon juice.
• Place plastic wrap directly on surface & refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours or up to 2 days.
• BERRIES: Toss berries, sugar & brandy (if using) in a large bowl; let stand for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
• ASSEMBLY: Slice cooled biscuits in half horizontally & place bottom half on serving dishes.
• Spoon some strawberries onto each biscuit & top with custard; place biscuit tops on top of custard.
• Spoon more strawberries onto each biscuit top followed by whipped cream.