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

Strawberry Shortcake with Homemade Shortcakes

Until recently, my shortcakes were made using that famous brand of store-bought biscuit mix. Those days are over, I'm happy to say! I found a shortcake recipe from Alton Brown that is easy, delicious and economical. I tried this recipe for shortcakes this past weekend when we had company over for steaks on the grill. I increased the amount of sugar from the original recipe based on reviews I had read.

I much prefer these sweetened baking powder biscuit-style shortcakes to sponge cakes.  Evidently, my guests did also since the shortcakes were being eaten off the platter even without berries and whipped cream!

When I prepare the strawberries, I usually add a small splash of Cointreau or Grand Marnier along with about 1/4 cup of sugar.  I allow the berries to sit on the kitchen counter for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the berries become juicy and perfect for the shortcakes. You could also add a little Cointreau or Grand Marnier to the heavy cream while you are whipping it but I normally use just vanilla and a little powdered sugar.

Enjoy this classic dessert while strawberries are at their best!

Shortcakes
Recipe adapted from Alton Brown
Printable Recipe

Serves 8

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup half and half (I use fat-free)

Melted butter to brush shortcakes

2 pounds fresh strawberries or other berries sliced and mixed with 1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar and a splash of orange-flavored liqueur to taste and allowed to sit for one hour, stirring occasionally

Heavy cream beaten with a little powdered sugar and vanilla until loosely whipped and not overly beaten until stiff and dry

Heat oven 400F

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in butter and shortening. Mix in half-and-half. Drop by large spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 15 minutes or until brown. Cool and eat with berries and sweetened whipped cream.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll be joining Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum and Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper.