Spiced Plum Shortcakes

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup half and half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 pounds dark red or purple plums, halved, pitted, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup chilled whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
• Additional powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Whisk first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend.
3. Add butter; rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal.
4. Add half and half; stir just until dough forms.
5. Gather dough into ball with floured hands.
6. Gently knead 8 times against side of bowl.
7. Roll out dough on floured surface to 3/4-inch-thick round.
8. Using 3-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out 5 biscuits; place on ungreased baking sheet.
9. Gather dough and reroll as needed to make 1 more biscuit.
10. Bake biscuits until pale golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes.
11. Cool 20 minutes.
12. (Biscuits can be made 8 hours ahead; cool completely and store in airtight container at room temperature.)
13. Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.
14. Add plums and sugar.
15. Cook until sugar dissolves and becomes syrupy and plums are just tender, stirring constantly, about 6 minutes.
16. Remove from heat.
17. Stir in cinnamon and ground ginger.
18. Cool 5 minutes.
19. (Can be made 4 hours ahead.
20. Let stand at room temperature; rewarm before serving.)
21. Using electric mixer, beat cream in medium bowl until soft peaks form.
22. Add 2 teaspoons powdered sugar and beat to firm peaks.
23. Fold in crystallized ginger.
24. Cut biscuits in half; place bottom halves on 6 dessert plates.
25. Top with warm plums, then cream.
26. Cover with biscuit tops.
27. Sift powdered sugar over.

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Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/spiced-plum-shortcakes-108467 (may not work)