Southern Peach Shortcake

My mom was a great Southern scratch cook. She believed a shortcake was basically a lightly sweetened biscuit, made to hold up mounds of beautiful, fresh fruit. I have tried to recreate her recipe, and I think this recipe is pretty close! Mom's shortcake was best when made about an hour before serving, to allow all those juices to soak into the shortcake. It's best when eaten fresh, in one sitting, but if you happen to have any leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator. Garnish with sweetened whipped cream if desired.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 338 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅔ cup milk
• ½ cup white sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter
• ½ cup cold, unsalted butter
• 8 ripe peaches, peeled and pitted
• 3 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9-inch cast iron skillet and set aside. Reserve remaining butter.

Step 2

Combine flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter with a pastry knife until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour in milk and stir just until the dough starts to come together.

Step 3

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball. Divide ball in half and lightly knead each half. Gently roll each half into a 9-inch circle.

Step 4

Place 1 dough circle into the prepared skillet, and dot with reserved butter. Place second dough circle on top of the butter pieces, and place the skillet in the center of the preheated oven.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until top is lightly browned, 22 to 25 minutes.

Step 6

While the shortcake is baking, prepare peaches. Slice 1 peach, toss with 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and set aside. Chop the remaining peaches, yielding about 4 cups, and toss with remaining lemon juice.

Step 7

Turn shortcake out onto a rack to slightly cool, about 5 minutes. Slice in half crosswise, using the edge of the second layer as a guide. Place bottom half on a serving plate, cut side up.

Step 8

Sprinkle 1/4 cup white sugar on a plate and lightly mash 2 cups of peaches into the sugar. Spread out mashed peaches and sugar over the shortcake layer on the serving plate. Cover mashed peaches with the second shortcake layer, cut side up.

Step 9

Toss remaining chopped peaches with remaining sugar and distribute on top of the second layer. Toss peach slices in any remaining juice, and place in a decorative pattern on top of the shortcake.