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Photo by Kristen Massad

Although everyone loves good old-fashioned strawberry shortcake this time of year, the idea of grilling dessert screams summer in my mind. Stone fruits — those with large, hard seeds at the center such as peaches, plums and nectarines — are perfect for grilling because they are firm enough to maintain their structure while being extra sweet and juicy. Take full advantage of the season. Grill up these peaches and layer them in flaky shortcake paired with a brown sugar whipped cream to finish out this summer with joy.

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Grilled peach shortcakes with brown sugar whipped cream

Shortcakes
2 cups all purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar, granulated
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 cup + 1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 egg

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. With paddle attachment, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it becomes a course crumb. Add 1 cup of cream and mix until dough starts to come together.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to approximately 1 inch thick. Cut into eight 2 ½ inch rounds and place evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Whisk together the egg and the 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and brush over the tops of each dough round. Sprinkle each round with cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden brown, approximately 25 minutes.
Cool completely before cutting each shortcake in half and layer each one with brown sugar whipped cream and grilled peaches (see grilled peach and whipped cream recipes opposite). Serve immediately.

SONY DSC

Photo by Kristen Massad

Grilled Peaches
4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
½ cup butter, unsalted (1 stick)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Directions
Heat grill to high (or for indoor grilling, a grill pan works great). Melt butter and mix in cinnamon and sugar. Brush peaches with butter mixture and place cut-side down on the grill and grill until cooked through
Once peaches are removed from the grill, brush one more coat of butter mixture while hot.

Brown Sugar Whipped Cream
2 cups heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a medium bowl, beat heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add brown sugar and vanilla extract. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.