Nici Wickes: Plum and vanilla shortcake

<p><span>There’s shortcake, then there’s THIS shortcake! It’s comfort food for sure and this recipe produces a shortcake that is light and rich, sweet and sharp all at the same time … it’s glorious.</span><span> </span></p> <p><span>Makes 8-10 slices</span><span> </span></p> <ul> <li><span>8-10 plums, chopped to yield 2 cups</span><span></span></li> <li><span>3 tbsps sugar</span><span></span></li> <li><span>2 tbsps cornflour</span><span></span></li> <li><span>1 Tbsp vanilla essence</span><span></span></li> <li><span>Pastry</span><span></span></li> <li><span>230g unsalted butter</span><span></span></li> <li><span>1 cup caster sugar</span><span></span></li> <li><span>2 medium eggs</span><span></span></li> <li><span>2 ½ cups (or 370g) plain flour</span><span></span></li> <li><span>2 tsps baking powder</span><span></span></li> </ul> <ol> <li><span> Preheat oven to 170 C and place a tray in to heat up. Grease and line a 24cm tart tin, with a removable base, or similar.</span><span></span></li> <li><span> Place plums into a bowl and sprinkle with sugar, vanilla and cornflour. Set aside while you make pastry.</span><span></span></li> <li><span> Pastry: Cream the butter and caster sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat well. Add sifted flour and baking powder and mix until combined then turn out onto a floured bench, kneading briefly (use a light touch) until a soft dough is formed. Divide dough into two, flatten each to a disc and place in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to firm up.</span><span></span></li> <li><span> Remove pastry from fridge and roll out on well-floured bench to line the bottom of the tin making sure pastry is a nice thin layer - just patch it up if it tears. Spoon fruit into the pastry-lined tart tin.</span><span></span></li> <li><span> Roll out second piece of pastry and place on top of fruit, sealing the edges.</span><span></span></li> <li><span> Remove excess pastry with a sharp knife and lightly brush pie top with egg wash or milk.</span><span></span