Peach Cornbread Shortcakes

Serves 6 · 25 min prep · 16 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 6 tbsp cubed cold unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups sliced ripe peaches
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp honey for drizzling

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cornmeal, the larger measure of sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
2. 2Add the cold butter cubes and cut them in with a pastry blender or fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-size pieces remaining.
3. 3In a small bowl beat the buttermilk and egg together. Pour into the dry mixture and stir gently with a fork just until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms; do not overmix.
4. 4Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a ¾-inch-thick round. Use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut six shortcakes, rerolling scraps once if needed. Place them on the prepared sheet.
5. 5Bake for 14 to 16 minutes until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool 10 minutes so they firm up enough to split.
6. 6While the shortcakes bake, toss the peach slices with the remaining sugar and lemon juice in a bowl. Let them macerate at room temperature so juicy syrup forms.
7. 7Whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form; keep chilled until assembly.
8. 8Split each warm shortcake horizontally with a serrated knife. Spoon a generous pile of macerated peaches and their juices onto the bottom halves.
9. 9Add a big dollop of whipped cream, scatter the sliced basil, and replace the tops. Finish with a light drizzle of honey. Serve right away while the cornbread is still tender and the peaches are juicy.