Ambrosia Shortcakes

By VegasBartender

Oranges, pineapple, and toasted coconut give this winter dessert a tropical brightness.

Kathy Kingsley, Cooking Light

JANUARY 2007

Ingredients

• Shortcakes:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons grated orange rind
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Filling:
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups navel orange sections (about 2 large oranges)
• 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
• 1 cup frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed
• 2/3 cup flaked sweetened coconut, toasted

Details

Servings 10
Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°.

To prepare shortcakes, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Combine buttermilk, juice concentrate, and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moist. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead dough lightly 5 to 6 times. Let dough stand for 10 minutes. Gently pat dough to a 1/2-inch thickness with lightly floured hands. Cut dough into 10 (2-inch) squares. Place dough squares 2 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

Combine 1 teaspoon water and egg white. Brush egg white mixture over dough; sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon sugar. Bake at 375° for 13 minutes or until golden. Remove shortcakes from pan; cool on a wire rack.

To prepare filling, combine 1/4 cup juice and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Combine orange sections and pineapple in a medium bowl. Drizzle cornstarch mixture over fruit; toss gently to combine. Cover and chill.

Split the shortcakes in half horizontally using a serrated knife. Spoon about 1/4 cup fruit mixture over the bottom half of each shortcake; top each serving with about 1 1/2 tablespoons whipped topping, about 1 tablespoon toasted coconut, and the top of the shortcake.

Shortcake Tips:

When mixing the dough for shortcakes, use a light hand and work quickly for the most tender cakes. If the recipe calls for kneading the dough, knead lightly only a few times so the dough doesn't become overworked.

Use a serrated knife to split the shortcakes. It will cut through the cakes without crumbling them.

You can bake the shortcakes up to a day ahead. Cool completely, and store at room temperature in a large zip-top plastic bag. To reheat, wrap in foil and heat at 350° for 10 minutes.

To freeze shortcakes, cool them completely, place in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag, and freeze up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, then reheat as instructed above.