Giant Cherry Shortcake
Photo: Annabelle Breakey
This dessert is great for backyard barbecues: Make everything ahead, then quickly assemble and serve. The cake is denser and more buttery than classic shortcake.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8-in. cake pan. Make cake: In a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl and slowly beat in remaining cake ingredients until smooth. Spread batter in prepared pan.
Step 2
2
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs clinging to it, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool pan on a rack 10 minutes, then invert cake onto rack and let cool completely.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, toss pitted cherries with sugar and brandy in a medium bowl and set aside.
Step 4
4
Make cream: Whisk cream and sugar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Whisk in brandy until stiff peaks form.
Step 5
5
Cut cake in half horizontally. Set half the cake, cut side up, on a cake stand and top with cherry mixture. Spread three-quarters of cream over cake and cherries, then top with remaining cake layer, cut side up. Swirl remaining cream on top. Garnish cake with whole cherries.
Ingredients
SHORTCAKE
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons cornstarch
CHERRIES
1 1/2 pounds Bing cherries, pitted and halved, plus a handful unpitted
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons brandy
CREAM
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons brandy
Directions
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8-in. cake pan. Make cake: In a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl and slowly beat in remaining cake ingredients until smooth. Spread batter in prepared pan.
Step 2
2
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs clinging to it, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool pan on a rack 10 minutes, then invert cake onto rack and let cool completely.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, toss pitted cherries with sugar and brandy in a medium bowl and set aside.
Step 4
4
Make cream: Whisk cream and sugar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Whisk in brandy until stiff peaks form.
Step 5
5
Cut cake in half horizontally. Set half the cake, cut side up, on a cake stand and top with cherry mixture. Spread three-quarters of cream over cake and cherries, then top with remaining cake layer, cut side up. Swirl remaining cream on top. Garnish cake with whole cherries.
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