Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes (and Apple Scones)

Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes

I’ve been learning to cook for several years now and I finally feel like I’m getting a handle on adapting recipes and improvising to suit my needs, but since I never went to culinary school or anything like that some of the science behind making food still eludes me. Baking can be especially tricky since I’ve been trying to use more whole grain flours and they don’t have quite the same properties as white flour. Today’s recipe comes from what I originally thought of as a baking failure, but through some quick thinking I was able to turn it into something pretty awesome.





This started out as a recipe for apple scones because I needed to use up some of the apples I’ve been getting in my CSA box the past few weeks. I like scones but have always had trouble making them on my own. I can’t think of any scones I’ve made that didn’t turn out dry and crispy. Blech. That is until these apple scones. It turns out the secret to soft and moist scones is using cream. And here I’ve been trying to make low fat scones for years not knowing that you just shouldn’t bother. Seriously. Some things just aren’t meant to be low fat and that’s ok. I’d rather treat myself to a couple of absolutely delicious scones and give the rest away than have to eat a bunch of rock hard cardboard scones that are low fat.


Even though I made my peace with using cream and butter I decided to try to offset that stuff a little bit by replacing some of the white flour with oats and whole wheat flour. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that this would keep the scones from rising at all. I was all set to be angry and declare them a failure until I tasted one. It was the best scone I’ve ever tasted. Despite its flatness it was soft and moist and slightly sweet with just enough apple pie spice in it. Just perfect. I had been worried that the grated apple and oats would wind up making the scones kind of chunky but both ingredients basically disintegrated in the oven so the crumb turned out very smooth and fluffy.

Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes

I looked at my flat apple scones and realized that they looked like halves of a whole scone and that I just needed to put something in the middle. That’s when I got the idea for a fall version of strawberry shortcakes with apples and pears instead. The scones hold together great and can support the weight of a filling, but are soft enough that a fork can cut right through all the layers. I made the filling by simmering apples and pears together with brown sugar and spices until they were soft and syrupy. Then I whipped up some cinnamon whipped cream to put on top of the fruit. Finally after covering everything with another scone I drizzled on some of the leftover spiced syrup from the fruit filling.

Apple-Oat Scones

The best part of this recipe is that you can get so many different meals out of it. Besides making shortcakes you can eat most of the components by themselves. The apple scones are great on their own for breakfast. They’re even better slathered with spiced maple butter. I’ve had honey butter before, but I think I like maple butter even better. I can’t wait to try it on some waffles or pancakes!

Spiced Winter Fruit

The spiced apples and pears double as a side dish with dinner or as a dessert that you can top with ice cream or the cinnamon whipped cream. Either way, your kitchen will smell wonderful afterward.

In the end, I think this has to be my favorite fall dessert I’ve ever made and I hadn’t even planned on making it. I can only hope that my future baking mistakes will turn out as well as this one did.

Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes

Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes

from Back to the Cutting Board

The scones taste best on the day they’re baked, but the spiced fruit can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and reheated. The whipped cream can also be made ahead of time and chilled in the fridge.

Dessert | Servings: 8
Total time: 10 min

Ingredients

*The fruit mixture can be served warm or at room temperature. However, if it’s warm the whipped cream will start to melt, this doesn’t affect the taste but it will affect the presentation. The sauce from the fruit mixture is easier to drizzle when it’s warm so if you want to serve the fruit at room temp, the easiest way would be to use a slotted spoon to transfer the fruit to bowl to cool. Leave some sauce in the pan so that you can warm it up when it’s time to drizzle it on top of the shortcakes.

Process

  1. Lay out plates for each person you are serving and place two scones on each.
  2. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the fruit mixture on top of one scone on each plate.
  3. Top the fruit with a heaping spoonful (or two) of cinnamon whipped cream.
  4. Cover with the other scone on each plate (make sure the apple side is facing up) and gently press down. Drizzle some of the sauce from the fruit mixture on top. Serve.

Apple-Oat Scones

Apple-Oat Scones

adapted from Midwest Living

Breakfast | Servings: 16
Prep time: 35 min | Cook time: 15 min | Total time: 55 min

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour*
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour* (or twice sifted whole wheat flour)
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. apple pie spice or cinnamon**
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup grated tart apple, such as Braeburn, Jonagold or Jonathan***
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream****
  • 1 egg yolk, beaten
  • 1 tbsp. heavy cream****
  • 16 thin slices of unpeeled apple, such as Braeburn, Jonagold or Jonathan
  • Demerara or course sugar (regular sugar is fine if you don’t have course sugar)

*The original recipe uses AP flour so use that instead of the whole wheat if you want yours to rise a bit more.

**Make apple pie spice by combining 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg and 1/4 tsp. cardamom.

***I used the largest size hole on my cheese grater. You could cut the apples up very finely if you want, but I found grating to be much easier and faster.

***If you’re looking to cut calories you can sub half and half for the heavy cream, but the texture of the scones won’t be quite as light/soft.

Optional: Spiced Maple Butter

  • 1/2 cup butter (softened)
  • 2 tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp. apple pie spice or cinnamon

Process

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Line two baking sheets with parchment; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl combine flours, oats, sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice and salt.
  3. Use a pastry blender to cut in the pieces of cold butter until the mixture resembled course crumbs. You can also do this with a food processor if you want.
  4. Stir in the grated apple.
  5. Whisk the eggs and heavy cream in small bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the egg mixture. Stir with a fork until just moistened. The dough will be thick.
  6. Use a ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop the dough into mounds and place on the baking sheets about 3 inches apart. Don’t flatten.
  7. Stir together the egg yolk and 1 tbsp. heavy cream in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to brush the cream mixture on top of the dough mounds.
  8. Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes

    Place a slice of apple on top of each mound and gently press down until the mound is about 1 inch thick. Lightly brush with more cream and sprinkle with course sugar.

  9. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until lightly browned. Halfway though switch the position of the baking sheets and flip 180 degrees for more even baking. Transfer the sheets to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Place scones on a platter or wire rack to cool a bit more. Serve warm with spiced maple butter or assemble into shortcakes.
  10. To make spiced maple butter beat butter, maple syrup and apple pie spice on medium speed until light and fluffy. Serve at room temperature. (Makes about 3/4 cup)

Store the scones in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store the butter in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week. Soften it in the microwave for a few seconds before serving if necessary.

Spiced Winter Fruit

Spiced Winter Fruit

adapted from Cooking Light

Side Dish, Dessert | Servings: 6
Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 15 min | Total time: 25 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. apple pie spice*
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 3 cups (about 1 1/2 pounds) sliced peeled Bartlett or Anjou pears
  • 2 1/2 cups (about 1 1/2 pounds) sliced peeled Granny Smith apples

*Make apple pie spice by combining 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. nutmeg and 1/2 tsp. cardamom.

Process

  1. Combine brown sugar and apple pie spice in a small bowl.
  2. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sugar mixture, pears and apples. Cover and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Serve as a side dish with dinner or top with ice cream or cinnamon whipped cream for dessert. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat over low heat.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

adapted from Food.com

Dessert | Servings: 4 cups
Prep time: 5 min | Total time: 10 min

Ingredients

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Process

  1. Pour heavy cream into a chilled (5 minutes in the freezer works for me) bowl.
  2. Beat on high speed, slowly adding the sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.
  3. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
  4. Place in the freezer for about 10 minutes to chill.

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13 Comments

  1. I love the apple and pear combo! Yum!

  2. I could totally go for this right NOW 🙂 RT @Emiline220 Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes (and Apple Scones) http://t.co/ztcx1DDV

  3. These look soooo good! I love the flavor combo, and love that you turned something that didn’t work out into something amazing!

  4. Don’t you love when something you think is a failure turns into a beautiful recipe like this? Wow!

  5. Yummm! RT @Emiline220: {new post} Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes (and Apple Scones) http://t.co/OHxesCSg #recipe

  6. That looks amazing! And I love how you lay every step out so clearly so even I have a chance at making it 😛

  7. Mmm good. RT “@BakeYourDay: These sound unique and delicious! Spiced Apple and Pear Shortcakes (and Apple Scones) http://t.co/dYtAd33z”

  8. Love everything you have done with these scones! They scream fall 🙂
    Have you joined us at Project Lunch Box yet? Your blog would be a great link up
    http://su.pr/221xT1

  9. oh looks amazing! I love scones and the spiced fruit and whipped cream just brings them over the top! I will have to make some soon!

  10. This looks gorgeous! I’m buying the ingredients tomorrow!

    I’m a new follower as your blog looks super cute.

    Maria xx

  11. Seasonal. Beautiful. Inspired. Spiced Pear and Apple Shortcake from @emiline220: http://t.co/SODAOknM

  12. Apple pie is one of my favorite food in United States, I never try to make it by myself, because I want to have authentic taste, this one looks really amazing.