Heavenly Peach Shortcake Recipe

Sweet Peach Shortcake Recipe: A Summery Delight for Everyone

Sweet summer peaches nestled in a velvety peach shortcake recipe create pure dessert magic.

Ripe, juicy fruits burst with natural sweetness in every delightful bite.

Tender, crumbly biscuits provide the perfect golden base for this classic treat.

Each layer promises a delectable dance of textures and flavors that sing of warm afternoons.

Fresh whipped cream adds a luxurious cloud-like finish to this irresistible dessert.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this simple yet elegant shortcake.

Dive into this recipe and savor a slice of pure culinary bliss.

How To Serve Peach Shortcake With Love

  • Fresh Summer Dessert Platter: Arrange the peach shortcake on a beautiful white ceramic plate, garnishing with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
  • Whipped Cream Companion: Top each serving with a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream, creating a creamy contrast to the sweet, juicy peaches and crumbly shortcake base.
  • Chilled Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside a tall glass of cold sweet tea or a crisp rosé wine to complement the dessert's fruity and rich flavors, enhancing the overall summer dining experience.
  • Texture Boost Option: Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds or crushed graham crackers over the shortcake for an unexpected crunch that adds depth and interest to the dessert's texture profile.

Easy Storage Ideas For Peach Shortcake

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover peach shortcake covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the biscuits separate from fruit to prevent sogginess.
  • Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep macerated peaches and baked shortcake biscuits in different sealed containers to maintain optimal texture and prevent moisture buildup.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare biscuit dough and peach mixture up to 24 hours in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator for convenient last-minute assembly.
  • Freezing Friendly Tip: Wrap unfilled biscuits tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 weeks, thawing at room temperature before serving with fresh peaches and whipped cream.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

Peach Shortcake Ingredients You’ll Need

For Fruit Base:
  • Peaches: Select ripe, fragrant peaches with vibrant color and slight give when gently pressed for maximum sweetness.
  • Sugar: Enhances natural peach flavors and helps draw out juicy syrup.
  • Lemon Juice: Brightens fruit flavor and prevents peaches from browning.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, subtle depth and complements peach's natural sweetness.
For Liquid Components:
  • Water: When released from peaches, creates a delightful natural syrup.

These carefully chosen ingredients work together to transform simple peaches into a luscious, flavor-packed base for your shortcake.

Tools That Make Peach Shortcake Simple

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining peaches with sugar and flavors.
  • Cutting board: Perfect for slicing peaches neatly.
  • Sharp knife: Helps create smooth, even peach slices.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla measurements.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for gently tossing peaches with ingredients.

Steps To Make A Sweet Peach Shortcake

  • Peach Preparation

Slice ripe, juicy peaches into delicate crescents. Sprinkle with a touch of sweetness and a hint of citrus, then let them rest and mingle, allowing natural flavors to bloom and juices to dance.

  • Biscuit Base

Craft golden, buttery biscuits with a tender crumb. Mix dry ingredients gently, fold in cold butter, and create a dough that whispers of comfort and home-baked goodness.

  • Whipped Cloud

Whip fresh cream into soft, billowing peaks that float like clouds. A subtle hint of vanilla transforms the cream into a dreamy, silky companion for the fruit.

  • Layered Harmony

Split warm biscuits in half, creating a welcoming nest. Nestle macerated peaches on the bottom layer, crown with a cloud of whipped cream, and top with the biscuit’s golden cap.

  • Final Flourish

Drizzle any remaining peach nectar over the shortcake. Serve immediately, inviting everyone to savor this sweet symphony of summer’s bounty.

Tips To Make Peach Shortcake Your Own

  • Juicy Peach Perfection: Let peaches sit at room temperature to enhance their natural sweetness and create a delightful syrup that will make your shortcake irresistibly moist.
  • Texture Tip: For the most tender shortcake, handle the dough minimally to prevent tough biscuits – mix just until ingredients come together for a light, flaky result.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine to create a plant-based version that's equally delicious and suitable for dairy-free diets.
  • Summer Flavor Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil or mint sprinkled over the peaches to add an unexpected and refreshing twist to the classic shortcake dessert.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the peach mixture and biscuit dough separately up to a day in advance, then assemble just before serving to maintain the perfect texture and freshness.
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Heavenly Peach Shortcake Recipe

Heavenly Peach Shortcake Recipe


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4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Southern peach shortcake emerges as a delightful summer dessert with fresh, ripe peaches and tender biscuits. Creamy whipped cream and sweet fruit make this classic treat irresistible for you to savor on warm afternoons.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 45 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for biscuits)
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for peaches)
  • 2 tbsps powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for biscuits)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (for peaches)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (for whipped cream)
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Fruit Preparation: Combine sliced peaches with sugar in a mixing bowl, gently tossing to release natural juices and create an enticing syrup. Incorporate lemon juice and vanilla extract to amplify the fruit’s aromatic profile.
  2. Maceration Process: Let peaches rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, allowing sugar to draw out vibrant juices and develop a glossy, syrupy consistency that intensifies their inherent sweetness.
  3. Shortcake Assembly: Position the freshly baked shortcake on a serving plate, creating a tender, crumbly foundation for the luscious peach topping. Generously spoon the macerated peaches over the base, ensuring the syrup cascades and permeates the delicate pastry.
  4. Final Presentation: Crown the dessert with a cloud-like dollop of whipped cream and optionally garnish with delicate mint leaves, transforming the simple shortcake into an elegant summer indulgence that captures the essence of seasonal fruit.

Notes

  • Control Peach Ripeness: Select slightly firm, ripe peaches for optimal texture and sweetness, avoiding overly soft or bruised fruits that can turn mushy during maceration.
  • Manage Sugar Absorption: Let peaches sit with sugar for 15-30 minutes maximum to prevent excessive liquid release and maintain fruit’s structural integrity.
  • Prevent Browning Technique: Add lemon juice immediately after slicing peaches to halt enzymatic browning and preserve their vibrant golden-orange color.
  • Temperature Timing: Serve shortcake at room temperature within 2 hours of preparation to ensure peak flavor and prevent soggy base from excessive fruit juice absorption.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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