Lemon Berry Shortcakes

Like they do in Bon Appetit

Last year I had so much fun making jam. I went crazy with the jamming and canning. Last week I decided it was time to make jam! So bought a bunch of raspberries that were on sale thinking I would start-up this year’s Jam-o-Rama. I would start with a huge batch of apple pectin and a small test batch of peach jam. The peaches are the goal for peach jam- but they are not ready yet. Not to be put off-I made the pectin for the peach jam (in the freezer now) and I cooked a few peaches. I made this mixed berry jam and I made these lovely shortcakes. They remind me of biscuits, my husband called them scones. I thought they were delicious. A little nutmeg, a little lemon- yum.  I probably would have added the sugar at the end of cooking rather than at the beginning. My sugar browned before the bread did. I would have liked to bake them a little longer. Next time….

easy scone-y, shortcake-y biscuit-y vehicle for jam

The recipe from Bon Appetit magazine I used calls for blueberry jam to mix with berries to make more jam. I had a lovely blueberry jam from last year and then of course the raspberries. I used those and added the blackberries I had on hand too. Why not? Making small batch jam is fun and feel less risky than a whole monstrous jam pan full of boiling sugary fruit. Oh, I also made the lemon whipped dream. IT WAS AMAZING. Easy and fun to do, it was a nice mix and stayed lively a couple of days in the fridge.

small batch jam

You’ve already seen them presented as the classic 4th of July light dessert – but I confess I liked them better as breakfast the next day. I also made some roasted strawberries. They are amazing. I would like to use them in a jam. I used these as a jam and they are pretty intense. You can see them in the photo below. This was a wonderful breakfast. I thought of the song “California Dreaming” while looking at this the morning I was enjoying it. By the way- That’s my favorite coffee as a pour over with half and half and brown sugar. No matter the coffee I like it creamy and sweet- and in a large mug, even “if I was in L A.. ” Oh I froze raspberries. Those are to be continued.

California Dreaming- My favorite coffee mug, mixed berry jam, roasted strawberries, lemon cream, lemon shortcake.