Apple & Blackberry Shortcake

   Well, its the weekend and I always like to share a new baking recipe with you at the weekend. This week I am sharing an easy shortcake recipe, which has a very autumnal feel to it.
Apple & Blackberry Shortcake. Apple and Blackberry season is upon us now and this is a really delicious way to use some of those lovely fruits.
 I have always felt that there is a very good reason that certain fruits, vegetables, proteins, etc. come into season at the same time.  That is because they are a perfect fit for each other.
Or maybe we have made them into a perfect fit for each other because they come into season at the same time. Whatever it is, apples and blackberries go together like peas and carrots.
  Although apples do stay with us throughout the winter, blackberries are with us for only a short time. I try to use them as often as I can when they are in season.
I was very spoilt in the UK as they grew wild and free for the picking in all of the hedgerows!  This time of year you will often see people standing by the hedges with buckets picking berries to their hearts content. 
They are called Brambles over there and there are only two rules to follow when picking them. One wear a long sleeved shirt and gloves if you have them. This protects you from the prickles. Two soak them in water when you get them home. This helps to remove any worms or insects.  They float to the top.
 We are all familiar with strawberry shortcake. Every year we treat ourselves to that old favorite and enjoy it immensely.
This year I thought why not an apple and blackberry shortcake?  Why not indeed!!

This shortcake differs from the usual in that it boasts a sweet meringue topping.  Very easy to make and spread on top of the biscuit dough prior to baking.
It puffs up golden brown on top of that biscuit dough and provides a beautiful backdrop for the apples and berries as you can see. 
 In fact you could serve this with any fruit topping. I cannot think of any fruit or berry it would not go with.  Use your imagination!
Peaches and raspberries would be lovely!  Roasted plums!  Pears and cranberries. Mango, pineapple and banana . . .  just pick any type of fruit you enjoy!
 You do need a six inch round cake or pie tin to bake it in, however.  That is the only drawback, unless you double  the recipe and bake it in a 9-inch pan.  Its up to you.
The recipe cuts into four nice slices, which is enough for two with leftovers for another night.  Or for a small family of four on the night.
 
The biscuit base is very easy to make and uses a boxed biscuit/baking mix, or you can make your own baking mix as I usually do.
I have included the recipe for that. I often have a container of it in my freezer ready to use when I need it.  It comes in really hand for all sorts. 

Some other recipes you can use it in include: 
Magic Chicken Pie. Quick Drop Danish. Cheesy Turkey Burger Bake. Tuna Melt Tart.Apple Pie DanishMagic CheesecakeMac and Cheese Pie

Just to name a few. Never fear, you will always find a way to use it up! 

One way that this recipe for the shortcake base differs from others is that it boasts a sweet meringue topping.  It bakes on top of the biscuit base.
It puffs up nice and brown and goes really well with whatever fruit you are using.

It puffs up nice and high in the oven, but don't worry, it does sink as it cools.
It just give a lovely crisp yet marshmallow-like base in addition to the biscuit.  Something a tiny bit different.
 
The fruit topping is also very easy to make. Its as simple as sautéing some apple slices in some butter in a skillet, along with some brown sugar and warm baking spices.
Once they have softened slightly and begun to caramelize you throw in some blackberries and take it off the heat. The blackberries cook only the slightest in the heat of the pan, maintaining the integrity of their shape, etc.  I have kept the fruit topping a bit on the tart side because of the sweetness of the base with the meringue and all.
There is such a thing as too much sweet.
 
This was beautiful served with some vanilla ice cream on the side.  Whipped cream or clotted cream would also go very nicely.
Oh my, I miss the luxury of clotted cream. I am going to have to try to make my own sometime, but I do have my doubts about that. Somehow I don't think it will ever taste the same.
Anyways, if you are looking for a nice, quick and easy dessert to serve this labor day weekend, you cannot go wrong with this one!
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Blackberry & Apple Shortcake

Yield: Serves 2 with leftoversAuthor: Marie RaynerPrep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 MinThis autumn shortcake is a beautiful dessert, with a quick and easy biscuit base topped with a meringue topping prior to baking. Served with lush blackberries and apples spooned over top, a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream goes very nicely with this dessert!

Ingredients

For the shortcake:

• 1 1/4 cups (160g) baking mix (see my recipe or use a brand like Bisquick)
• 1 1/2 TBS granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 TBS melted butter
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
• 1 large free range egg white
• 2 TBS  granulated sugar
• 2 TBS icing sugar

For the fruit topping:

• 2 sweet eating apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 TBS butter
• 1 TBS soft light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch each of ground cardamom and grated nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup (145g) blackberries

Instructions

1. First make the shortcake base. You will need a six inch round cake tin. Butter it well and line with two strips of parchment paper, in a cross shape. (Leave an overhang to lift the cake out with when done.)
2. Preheat the oven to 375*F. 
3. Stir the baking mix, 1 1/2 TBS of sugar, melted butter and milk together until a dough forms.  Press the dough into the bottom of the cake tin.
4. Whisk the egg white together until foamy. Keep whisking adding both the granulated and icing sugar, a bit at a time, until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy.
5. Spoon this mixture over top of the biscuit base, swirling it decoratively.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
7. Remove from the oven and let sit in the pan for 10 minutes before loosening the edges and lifting out onto a cooling rack or a plate.
8. To make the fruit topping, place the apples, butter, brown sugar, spices and salt into a small skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally over medium high heat until the apples are somewhat softened and beginning to caramelize, but are still holding their shape. Remove from the heat and stir in the blackberries.  Let cool to room temperature.
9. Cut the cake into wedges and serve with some of the fruit topping spooned over top, along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Delicious!

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Homemade Baking Mix

Yield: Makes about 6 cupsAuthor: Marie RaynerThis is so easy to make. I like to keep mine in the freezer, but you can keep it at room temperature for several months.

Ingredients

• 700g plain flour (5 cups, all purpose)
• 3 TBS baking powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 220g of solid white vegetable fat (Crisco or Trex, 1 cup)

Instructions

1. Put the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a food processer and blitz for a couple seconds. Add half of the fat and blitz for about 30 seconds. Add the remaining fat and blitz again for about 30 seconds. The mixture should resemble fine bread crumbs. Store in an airtight container. 
2. Use as per any recipe requiring a baking mix.

Notes:

Note: You can also do it by hand using a pastry blender.

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Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #TheEnglishKitchen This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com 
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