Roasted Pineapple Shortcakes

Makes 12 servings Prep time: 45 minutes Start to finish: 1 hour Shortcake isn’t just for strawberries. Roasted pineapple and macadamia nuts give this version a Hawaiian twist and perfume the kitchen with a tropical fragrance.

Leftover shortcakes freeze well and the pineapple is also great on its own.

To make ahead: The shortcakes will keep in an airtight container for up to 8 hours.

Equipment tip: If you don’t have a 3 1⁄4-inch cookie cutter, you can use a clean 6-ounce can, such as a tuna fish can.

Shortcakes

• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour   
• 1⁄3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄3 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk or equivalent buttermilk powder
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Roasted Pineapple Filling

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted chopped macadamia nuts or unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1 medium pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into bite-size triangles
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
• Confectioners sugar for dusting

• 1 cup “lite” frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. To prepare shortcakes: Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk and stir with a fork until the dough just comes together.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface; gather together and knead gently 5 or 6 times. Roll to a 1⁄2-inch thickness and cut out rounds with a 3 1⁄4-inch cookie cutter (see Equipment Tip). Reroll scraps and cut to make 12 shortcakes total. Place the shortcakes on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
4. Bake the shortcakes until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
5. To prepare filling: Spread nuts (or coconut) in a small baking pan and toast in the oven until light golden, 1 to 3 minutes.
6. Coat a baking sheet with sides with cooking spray. Combine pineapple, pineapple juice, honey, ginger and cloves in a large bowl; toss to coat. Spread on the prepared baking sheet. Roast at 450° until the pineapple is lightly browned around the edges and the juices are syrupy, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool slightly.

To serve: Split the shortcakes with a serrated knife and place the bottoms on dessert plates. Top each with the pineapple, nuts (or coconut) and a dollop of whipped topping and replace the tops. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve.

To peel a pineapple: Using a sharp knife, cut off the skin. To remove eyes, following the spiral pattern, cut grooves along the diagonal on either side of the eyes.