Leave any bobbing for apples to the kids and whip up a dessert that mixes all-time favorite caramel apples with shortcakes jazzed up with mace. From the same tree as nutmeg, mace clings to the shell of the nutmeg seed like a hand. Nutmeg and mace have similar flavors, although mace is more delicate and has a somewhat fresher, lighter, and less robust aroma than nutmeg, which makes it ideal for sweet and savory dishes, notes cookbook author Lori Longbotham, who contributed this recipe to Real Food. For best results, make the shortcakes within an hour or so of serving them. And of course, vanilla ice cream makes a natural partner.
Caramel Apple Mace Shortcakes
Serves 4
Shortcakes:
13⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
3⁄4 teaspoon ground mace
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Milk for brushing
Caramel Apples:
4 medium tart cooking apples, such as Granny Smith (about 11⁄2 pounds)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1⁄2 cup caramel sauce (recipe follows) or store-bought caramel sauce
To make shortcakes, position a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 425°F. Butter a baking sheet.
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, mace, and salt into a medium bowl. Whisk in zest.
With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream and vanilla in a medium bowl just until cream holds soft peaks. Make a well in center of dry ingredients, add cream mixture, and stir with a fork just until it begins to form a dough.
On a lightly floured surface, knead dough about 6 times to combine well. Roll or pat out to 3⁄4-inch thick. With a floured 31⁄2– inch cutter—preferably crinkle-edge—cut out 4 rounds, gathering and re-rolling scraps, as necessary. Transfer rounds to baking sheet. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer with a wide metal spatula to a wire rack to cool.
Meanwhile, make caramel apples. Peel and core apples and cut each one into 8 wedges. Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Stir in caramel sauce and boil, stirring gently, until apples are soft, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
Split each shortcake in half. Arrange bottom halves on dessert plates, spoon apples over them, and add tops. Serve immediately.
Caramel Sauce
Makes 2 cups
1 cup heavy cream
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
3⁄4 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Heat cream and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until just hot. Set aside, covered to keep warm.
Heat sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil, washing down sides of pan with a damp pastry brush if sugar crystals form. Boil, without stirring, until caramel turns a dark golden brown.
Remove saucepan from heat and add cream, about 2 tablespoons at a time. Return pan to low heat and cook, whisking, until sauce is smooth. Use immediately, or let come to room temperature, transfer to a glass jar, and refrigerate, tightly covered, until ready to serve.
Nutrition info (per serving)
Caramel Apple Mace Shortcakes: Calories 683 (268 from fat); Fat 30g (Sat. 18g); Chol 98mg; Sodium 563mg; Carb 99g; Fiber 3g; Protein 8g
Caramel Sauce: Calories 148 (42 from fat); Fat 5g (Sat. 3g); Chol 17mg; Sodium 25mg; Carb 27g; Fiber 0g; protein 0g