Monday, June 13, 2016

Pecan and Coconut Strawberry Shortcakes

 

Here is a wonderful new way to make Strawberry shortcakes.  My father-in-law loved strawberry shortcake and was a traditional favorite at our home for many years.  If you're hosting Mother's Day or Father's Day, this is a delightful twist on an old family favorite.    


The perfect, tender biscuit-like shortcakes made with chopped pecans and toasted coconut are so delicious! I even used the scraps of dough to make small biscuits that I froze and had for breakfast for a few days.  I could make the shortcake dough over and over just for biscuits. They are that good. 


Filled with macerated strawberries and whipped cream, they would be a delicious end to gathering of friends or family in spring or early summer.  


Here in the garden it is the season for peonies! I appreciate them every day because the season is gone so quickly and the scent is so heavenly.


Pecan and Coconut Strawberry Shortcakes

Printable Recipe

Serves 8-10, depending on size of shortcake cutter you use

For the Shortcakes:

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. heavy cream, divided
1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans

Silicone baking sheet Liner or parchment paper
Whole pecan halves
Unsweetened shredded coconut

For the Strawberries:

2 lbs strawberries, halved and sliced
1/4 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar, depending on how sweet you like them
1-2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or Triple Sec liqueur (or freshly squeezed orange juice)

Garnish: Sweetened Whipped Cream or Sweetened Mascarpone Cream

Preheat oven to 350F.

Toast the coconut on a baking sheet for about 5-6 minutes, watching carefully so it does not burn. Toss coconut occasionally for even browning. Let cool.

Toast the pecans on another backing sheet for about 7 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned. Allow to cool.

Whisk together flour, sugar and baking power in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry cutter or large fork until just combined. Do not overwork.

Transfer the toasted coconut into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until finely chopped. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the 4 eggs, vanilla and 1 cup heavy cream. Add the egg mixture, chopped pecans, and toasted coconut to the bowl with the flour mixture and stir with a large spoon or spatula until just blended. The dough will still be moist.

Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface, and gently knead 2-3 times. Pat the dough to a uniform 1 to 1-1/2 inch thickness. Using a 3-inch cutter, cut the dough without twisting the cutter and place on a silicone mat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Reshape dough gently and cut remaining dough. You may use a smaller cutter to use up the scaps. The dough makes wonderful biscuits to eat with breakfast all by themselves!

Turn oven heat up to 400F.

Chill cut dough for at least 15 minutes. Afterward, brush each shortcake with the remaining 1 tablespoon cream and press one pecan half on top. Sprinkle with coconut.

Bake shortcakes at 400° for about 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on pan placed on a baking rack for at least 20 minutes.

About 1 hour before serving, prepare the strawberries by stirring the cut strawberries together with sugar, liqueur or orange juice. Allow to macerate at room temperature, stirring occasionally.

To serve, split the shortcakes in half horizontally. Place a shortcake bottom on each dessert plate, and top with about a generous scoop of strawberries and top with sweetened whipped cream or sweetened Mascarpone Cream

Adapted from Southern Living

60 comments:

  1. I love this recipe. I haven't made strawberry shortcakes in ages. I'm printing this off to try. I haven't seen you post in quite some time. Glad to see you're back you always share wonderful recipes. By the way your peonies are beautiful and your photo of it is stunnning. Congrat's to your daughter and son-in-law!

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    1. Thank you, Vicki! Not sure why you think I haven't posted because I've been here. Perhaps my feed isn't coming through to you and should be updated on your computer? Hope you enjoy the shortcakes - they are wonderful!

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  2. Beautiful! The cakes and the flowers :) I really wanted peonies at my wedding, but unbeknownst to me at the time, they don't come in purple!

    Sues

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  3. This is so summery, beautiful and mouthwatering. Pecan and coconut..my ultimate weakness!
    Happy Anniversary to your daughter and son-in-law!!

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    1. I share your same weakness, Angie :) Thank you very much!

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  4. I pinned these because they sound like a perfect brunch item. But, for company only because I can't be trusted. :)

    I do love peonies, but like lilacs they will not grow in too warm of climate.

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    1. They are dangerous to have around. At least the size can be controlled by the size biscuit cutter you use :) Thank you, Madonna!

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  5. in Italy we celebrate Dad on March 19th, my dad is gone but he would have appreciated these shortcakes, beautiful photos Susan ....A warm hug

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    1. My father is gone also, Chiara, and my father-in-law also. They both would have loved them too. Now I make them for my husband and son-in-law :) xo Hugs

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  6. Mine are just starting in the peony bed..elsehwre some are done already! Thos stupid bugs are back:(
    Love the pecan addition and the trip down memory lane:)

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    1. I have some that are almost at their end now too but one or two others still in full bloom. The next storm will take care of those :( Wouldn't gardening be wondering without those pests? I still remember what it was like before Japanese Beetles. Thank you, Monique!

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    1. Mine too! I looked right after you left on your trip and saw them. I've even cooked with some already :)

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    2. I hope you are enjoying being a garlic grower:)

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    3. I am and so glad you encouraged me! I'm already thinking of how I can make my garlic bed larger :)

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  8. This takes strawberry shortcake to a new level. Your peonies are lovely. We had to leave our's behind and need to get some started here. Beautiful wedding bouquets.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. It really does, Bonnie! I absolutely love when the peonies bloom, even though it's just for a short time. Thank you, Bonnie!

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  9. I don't know what time you're serving these, but I'll be there. My favorite type of dessert. ;) Pinned

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    1. If you ever get to Milwaukee , I would make them for you! Thank you, Lea Ann!





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  10. This sure sounds good, a nice twist on the biscuits! Enjoy your peonies, ours are done here:@)

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  11. These shortcakes look amazing and delicious !!!
    xoxox

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  12. Beautiful shortcake. I know my Dad would have loved this dessert. My peonies are done but so beautiful and fragrant. Happy Father's Day weekend to your family.

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    1. The storm we had last night wasn't kind to my peonies but there are still a few good ones left :) Thank you, Julie!

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  13. What a delicious looking dessert. I love the unique twist on shortcake with pecans and coconut. Yes, I think it is a perfect Father's Day dessert!

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    1. Thank you, Chris! It's definitely worth a try. I loved the shortcakes!

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  14. What a wonderful twist on this fabulous dessert! Pecans and coconut sounds perfect to me. Your daughters wedding looks like it was a dream come true and peonies are a personal favorite of mine. The aroma is intoxicating. Have a great father's day!

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    1. Thank you, Tricia! It is a great dessert and was a great wedding :) Everything fell into place so well it was a dream.

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  15. The biscuit dough sounds wonderful with pecans and coconut. Our strawberry patch opened this week so I'm heading there early on Sunday before it gets hot. Your daughter's wedding looks lovely! Our peonies are just opening up now and I can't get enough of the aroma.

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    1. They are wonderful, Debbie! The strawberry farms are opening here too. I just wish they were closer :)

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  16. I have no one to make this delectable shortcake for! But your peony photos are gorgeous as was your daughter's wedding. My peonies are going, going, just about gone. They are so lovely, aren't they? Have fun celebrating all your occasions this weekend. Goes by in a heartbeat, doesn't it?

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    1. Thanks so much, Abbe! Maybe when your hubby returns you can treat him :) I only have 2 or 3 flowers left that look good too. Yes, gone way to fast!

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  17. Way to go, Susan! Your shortcake has to be scrumptious! Another recipe I have to try! Your peonies are gorgeous! We have lots of them in all different colors and the fragrance is awesome! As was your daughter's wedding, by the looks of it all!

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    1. Thanks so much, Pam! I love peonies too, just wish they would last longer, just like the wedding - gone in a flash it seems.

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  18. Wow Susan...the pecan shortcake sounds and looks fabulous...I love the pecan in it...and yes, perfect with fresh strawberry.
    Beautiful pictures...flowers and wedding...
    Hope you are having a wonderful week :)

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    1. Thank you, Juliana! They are SO good. I actually had to work this week but it's going to be a wonderful week ahead! Hope you have a wonderful week too :)

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  19. What gorgeous photos of your daughters wedding!The shortcakes look divine!
    Maria

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    1. Thanks so much, Maria! A very good friend of our daughter and son-in-law is a professional photographer. We were lucky to have her ;)

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  20. These shortcakes have won me over and, as always, they are beautifully presented.
    Amalia
    xo

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  21. Peonies are so delicate and beautiful. I can see why your daughter selected them for her wedding...beautiful memories! Your strawberry shortcakes look like a perfect dessert for the last days of spring...

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    1. Thankfully, they were still available for her wedding. You never know! Thanks so much, Kate!

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  22. Peonies are my favorite too. Their brief season just makes them more precious. These shortcakes are seriously delicious. I made them for my son's birthday and froze four which I then served on Father's Day! They certainly do justice to the wonderful strawberries available this season. Thank you for sharing this winning recipe that I will be making many times again! Diana

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    1. Well said, Diana! They are precious, indeed. I'm so glad you tried the shortcakes and enjoyed them!

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  23. What a delicious summertime dessert. You've certainly made these shortcakes special. Love the peonies, they are beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Karen! We absolutely loved them and yes, so perfect for summer ;)

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  24. Peonies are beautiful and perfect wedding flower choice! The shortcakes look absolutely appetizing Susan! Coconut is my husband's favorite!

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    1. I made these once for friends and the husband doesn't like coconut yet he loved these. He didn't even realize the coconut was there ;) I use unsweetened coconut, perhaps that's the difference. Thank you, Katerina!

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  25. Hi Susan, making these biscuits this week-end, they look and sound heavenly and if I can get my hands on some farm fresh strawberries I will make that part too. Your peonies are beautiful, loving all the flowers this time of year.

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    1. I'm so glad you're going to try them, Cheri! They would be so good for breakfast or brunch with some preserves on them too. Hope you find the strawberries though :) Thank you!

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  26. What a super combo for your shortcakes, Susan. Wonder how coconut milk would work? I wouldn't even need the fruit to gobble these down!

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    1. Thank you, Barbara! The coconut milk is a very interesting idea since coconut has natural fat in it. I didn't need any fruit on mine either and actually ate some alone they are that good :)

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  27. Sitting here at work jealous of those shortcakes as I just had a cereal bar (out of a plastic wrapper!). Looks gorgeous and has to taste amazing too!

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  28. Happy anniversary to your daughter and son-in-law. Southern Living Magazine recipes are always delicious, and these shortcakes look fabulous!

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  29. this looks divine and happy anniversary to your daughter :-)

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  30. These shortcakes certainly take an ordinary strawberry shortcake to a higher level! Your photos are so beautiful Susan!

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