Citrus Shortcake

Servings: Makes one 9-inch shortcake

Time:

Ingredients:

Shortcake

3½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour

½ cup (106g) light brown sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

3 sticks (339g) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes

1 cup (230g) cold buttermilk

1 large (56g) egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Heavy cream, as needed for finishing

Turbinado sugar, as needed for finishing

Topping

2 cups (470g) cold heavy cream

¾ cup (85g) confectioners’ sugar

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

6 to 8 pieces mixed citrus (such as oranges, blood oranges, grapefruits, mandarins, tangerines, etc.), segmented

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick spray.

2. Make the Shortcake: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt to combine. Add the butter and pulse until only pea-size pieces remain. (You can also do this by hand, but it will take longer.) Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg and vanilla to combine. Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture and mix to combine. The mixture should be uniform with no dry patches. Use your hands to make sure it’s combined, but don’t overmix.

4. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it into an even layer (you can lightly moisten your hands if it’s sticking). Brush the surface with heavy cream, then sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Bake the shortcake until golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

5. Make the Topping: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream on medium speed to soft peaks, about 5 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, and whip to medium peaks, about 2 minutes more.

6. Transfer the shortcake to a serving platter. To serve, spoon about half the whipped cream on top of the cake and spread it into an even layer. Spoon the citrus segments on top. Serve immediately, with more whipped cream on the side.