Ingredients

  • Shortcakes:
  • 1 1/2 c flour
  • 1/4 c + 3 T sugar
  • 1 T + 1/4 t baking powder
  • 1/4 t baking soda
  • 1/4 t kosher salt
  • 6 T cold butter in pieces
  • 1 c buttermilk
  • 2 T whole milk
  • Apples & cream:
  • 3 T cold butter
  • 1/2 vanilla bean
  • 5 granny smith apples peeled in eighths
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 1/4 c apple brandy
  • Apple cider reduction:
  • 1 qt apple cider
  • 2 T apple cider vinegar
  • 2 T apple brandy
  • 1/2 vanilla bean
  • 1 cinn stick

Method

  • Preheat 375, parchment paper on sheet
  • Whisk flour, 3 T sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt in processor bowl
  • Process in butter
  • Add enough buttermilk to soft dough (start w half)
  • Pat dough to 1.5" thickness, cut 6 rounds
  • Brush w milk or cream, sprinkle w sugar
  • Bake 12-15 min & cool
  • Melt butter in pan
  • Add van bean seeds & apples
  • Cook till apples brown, 5-7 min
  • Add sugar
  • Cook till apples are caramelized
  • Add apple brandy, cook 5 min
  • Combine apple cider reduction ingredients
  • Bring to boil over high heat
  • Cook stirring occasionally 25-30 min till thick & syrupy
  • Cool to RT, remove van bean & cinn stick