Congresbury Ginger Shortcake Recipes

GINGER STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Make the biscuits: Beat the cream cheese, butter, granulated sugar, grated ginger and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy; reduce the speed to low and beat in the flour and candied ginger until just incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap; press into a 1-inch-thick disk, tightly wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or overnight. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 10-inch circle, about 1/2 inch thick. Use a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out rounds; arrange about 1 inch apart on a baking sheet. Reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits (you should have 12). Brush the tops lightly with the heavy cream and sprinkle with the demerara sugar. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake the biscuits until slightly puffed and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the toppings: Puree half of the strawberries in a blender with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the grated ginger until smooth; transfer to a bowl. Dice the remaining strawberries; add to the pureed berries and toss. Beat the sour cream, heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a separate bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Serve each person 2 biscuits with the whipped cream and strawberry mixture. Photograph by Anna Williams

CONGRESBURY GINGER SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch cake pan or springform pan.
• Cream the 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup white sugar until smooth. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon ground ginger. Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar and stir until combined, forming a stiff dough.
• Pat the dough into the prepared pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the shortcake is firm and pale golden on top. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for ten minutes, and then remove it from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack.
• Transfer the cake to a serving plate. Combine the confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup butter, golden syrup and 1 teaspoon ginger in a saucepan; heat over medium-low heat until the butter and sugar have melted. Pour the warm glaze over the shortcake and refrigerate the cake to set the glaze. When cool, cut the cake into 8 wedges.

GINGER SHORTCAKES WITH MANGOES AND STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to mix. Add the butter pieces and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the crystallized ginger. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk and egg; mix with a fork just until mixture is moistened (do not overwork dough).
• With a 1/3 cup measure, scoop dough from bowl and drop onto baking sheet, setting 2 inches apart (do not flatten dough). You should have 6 portions. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes, switching pan positions halfway through if using 1 oven. Remove from oven and transfer with a spatula to baking racks to cool. (Shortcakes can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.)
• To serve, mix together mangoes and strawberries in a bowl. Split each shortcake with a serrated knife. Place bottom halves on each of 6 plates. Top evenly with mangoes and strawberries. Dollop with equal amounts of yogurt, then top with remaining halves of shortcakes. Serve immediately.

ICED GINGER SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease a 20cm square baking tray. Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Sift in the flour and ginger, then mix together with a knife. Using lightly floured hands, bring the mixture together to form a dough, then spread it into the greased baking tray. Bake for 30 mins until golden. Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly.
• For the icing, melt the butter and syrup in a pan. Remove from the heat, sift in the icing sugar and ginger, then mix until smooth and glossy. Cool until almost cold and beat well again. Spread the icing over the shortcake using a palette knife, decorate with chopped crystallised ginger and serve cut into slices.

LEMON SHORTCAKES WITH GINGERED BLUEBERRIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, the lemon zest, baking powder and salt. Add the butter and use your fingers to quickly flatten each piece of butter into the flour mixture. The butter should be pliant but not melty. If it starts to get too soft, refrigerate the mixture for a few minutes before moving on.
• In another large bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup/120 milliliters heavy cream with the lemon juice and egg until combined. Add the cream mixture to the flour mixture and stir with a fork until the dough is evenly moistened.
• Tip the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper. Work it a few times, just to get the mixture to come together, but don't overwork it. Pat the dough into a 5-inch square. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into two rectangles, then cut each rectangle crosswise into 3 pieces. Separate them on the parchment paper, slide the parchment paper onto a baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.
• Just before baking, brush the top of each shortcake with cream and sprinkle liberally with granulated sugar. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one shortcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, smash 1/4 cup/35 grams of the blueberries. Add the remaining whole blueberries and crystallized ginger and toss to combine. Whip the cream to medium-stiff peaks with the confectioners' sugar, if using.
• To serve, split the shortcakes in half and top the bottom half with whipped cream and berries. Replace the top.