Name: 5-Minute Mango Melba Shortcake (The Easiest Mango Dessert!)
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 jar Trader Joe’s Organic Reduced Sugar Raspberry Preserves; 1 bag Trader Joe’s Organic Frozen Mango Chunks thawed; 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice optional, to brighten; 1 package Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Biscuits baked and cooled, split horizontally; Trader Joe’s Whipped Cream; Trader Joe’s Super Premium French Vanilla Ice Cream

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The 5-Minute Dessert That Looks Like a Masterpiece

What if you could create an elegant, restaurant-quality dessert in less time than it takes to choose a movie on Netflix? In our busy lives, the desire for a special, homemade treat often conflicts with our lack of time. But the solution isn’t to skip dessert—it’s to find the ultimate dessert hack. This Mango Melba Shortcake is that hack. It’s a brilliantly easy mango dessert that takes the classic flavour combination of fruit and raspberry sauce (the “Melba”) and gives it a stunning tropical twist. By smartly assembling a few high-quality store-bought ingredients, you can create a showstopper that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Contents

The 5-Minute Dessert That Looks Like a Masterpiece
The Simple Ingredients for an Instant Dessert
Timing Breakdown
Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Step 1: Create the Warm Mango Melba Sauce
Step 2: Prepare Your Shortcake Base
Step 3: Assemble Your Masterpiece

Nutritional Information
Lighter Swaps and Variations
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips for This Quick-Fix Dessert
The Ultimate 5-Minute Indulgence
FAQs

Q1: What does “Melba” mean in a recipe title?
Q2: Can I use fresh mango instead of frozen?
Q3: What kind of biscuits work best for shortcake?
Q4: Can I make the mango melba sauce ahead of time?
Q5: Can I make this dessert without the ice cream?

5-Minute Mango Melba Shortcake (The Easiest Mango Dessert!)

Description
Ingredients

Filling
Assembly

Instructions

Create the Warm Mango Melba Sauce
Prepare Your Shortcake Base
Assemble Your Masterpiece

Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

The Simple Ingredients for an Instant Dessert

This recipe is all about smart shortcuts. We’re using delicious, ready-made components to build a dessert that is greater than the sum of its parts. Feel free to use your favorite brands!

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Reduced-Sugar Raspberry Preserves	1 jar	The base of our quick “Melba” sauce. Reduced sugar lets the fruit flavours shine.
Frozen Mango Chunks, thawed	1 bag	A convenient way to get ripe, sweet mango year-round.
Buttermilk Biscuits	1 package, baked & cooled	The “shortcake” base. Fluffy, tender biscuits are the perfect vehicle for the sauce.
Whipped Cream	from a can or tub	For a light, airy layer of creaminess.
Premium Vanilla Ice Cream	1 pint	The cold, creamy counterpoint to the warm mango sauce.

Timing Breakdown

This is not a drill. This beautiful, multi-layered dessert truly comes together in minutes, making it the undisputed champion of last-minute sweet cravings.

Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 5 minutes

Data Insight: A traditional, from-scratch strawberry shortcake recipe can take upwards of an hour to prepare and bake. By using high-quality prepared ingredients, this recipe represents a time saving of over 90%, making a delicious, elegant dessert possible on even the busiest of days.

Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Step 1: Create the Warm Mango Melba Sauce

In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the raspberry preserves until they become loose and syrupy. This should only take a minute or two. Once the preserves are liquidy, remove the pan from the heat. Gently fold in the thawed mango chunks until they are coated in the warm raspberry glaze.

Step 2: Prepare Your Shortcake Base

Take your cooled, pre-baked buttermilk biscuits and carefully split them in half horizontally with a serrated knife, creating a top and a bottom for your shortcake.

Step 3: Assemble Your Masterpiece

This is where the magic happens! Place the bottom half of a split biscuit on a serving plate. Spread or pipe a generous layer of whipped cream over the biscuit. Spoon the warm mango melba mixture over the whipped cream. Top it all off with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream, and finally, place the top half of the biscuit on top. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious combination of warm, cold, creamy, and flaky!

Nutritional Information

This is an indulgent treat perfect for a special occasion. Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for one Mango Melba Shortcake.

Calories: Approx. 480 kcal
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 65g
Sugar: 40g
Protein: 6g

Disclaimer: Nutrition is estimated and will vary greatly based on the specific brands of biscuits, ice cream, and preserves used.

Lighter Swaps and Variations

Looking for a slightly healthier version of this quick dessert? Try these simple alternatives.

The Base: Swap the buttermilk biscuit for a slice of angel food cake or a simple Greek yogurt scone.
The Cream: Use a dollop of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt instead of whipped cream for a protein boost and a tangy flavour.
The Ice Cream: Use a scoop of low-fat frozen yogurt, raspberry sorbet, or a simple “nice cream” made from frozen bananas.
The Sauce: Use sugar-free raspberry preserves or make your own quick raspberry coulis by simmering fresh or frozen raspberries with a touch of water.

Serving Suggestions

This simple dessert can be dressed up for any occasion.

For Guests: Assemble the shortcakes on individual plates and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint to make it look extra special.
Brunch Addition: This makes for a surprisingly delightful and indulgent addition to a brunch spread.
DIY Dessert Bar: For a fun, interactive party idea, set up a “Shortcake Station.” Lay out the split biscuits, the warm mango sauce, bowls of whipped cream and ice cream, and let guests build their own creations.
Personalized Tip: To add a bit of texture, I love to sprinkle some toasted, sliced almonds or shredded coconut over the top of the ice cream before adding the top biscuit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overheating the Sauce: You are just warming the raspberry preserves to make them pourable, not cooking them. Heating them on low for a minute or two is all you need. Boiling can make the sauce gummy.
Using Frozen Mango: Ensure your mango chunks are fully thawed before folding them into the warm sauce. If they are still frozen, they will instantly cool down the sauce and won’t be as pleasant to eat.
Assembling Too Early: This is a dessert that must be assembled right before serving. If you let it sit, the warm sauce and melting ice cream will quickly turn the crisp biscuit into a soggy mess.
Using Melty Ice Cream: Have all your other components ready to go before you even open the freezer. Work quickly with firm, scoopable ice cream for the best results and the cleanest presentation.

Storing Tips for This Quick-Fix Dessert

This dessert is designed for immediate consumption and does not store well once assembled. However, you can prepare the components.

The Sauce: The mango melba sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in a saucepan or the microwave before serving.
The Biscuits: Your baked biscuits can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two before using.

The Ultimate 5-Minute Indulgence

This Mango Melba Shortcake is a perfect example of how simple, smart assembly can lead to an incredibly delicious and impressive dessert. The tropical sweetness of the mango combined with the tart raspberry sauce, creamy whipped cream, cold ice cream, and a fluffy buttermilk biscuit creates a symphony of flavours and textures. It’s the perfect no-fuss, no-stress dessert for hot summer nights, last-minute guests, or any time you need a little sunshine on a plate.

We can’t wait for you to try this incredibly easy dessert hack! Let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment and a rating below. Don’t forget to subscribe for more quick and easy recipe ideas!

FAQs

Q1: What does “Melba” mean in a recipe title?

“Melba” sauce is a classic dessert sauce made of puréed raspberries (or sometimes strawberries), red currant jelly, and sugar. It was invented in the 1890s by the famous chef Auguste Escoffier to honor the opera singer Nellie Melba. The classic dish “Peach Melba” consists of peaches, raspberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream. Our recipe is a fun, tropical twist on this classic combination.

Q2: Can I use fresh mango instead of frozen?

Absolutely! If you have a beautiful, ripe fresh mango, simply peel it and chop it into chunks. Fresh mango will be even more delicious.

Q3: What kind of biscuits work best for shortcake?

A classic American-style buttermilk biscuit is a great choice because it’s tender and flaky, and its savory-salty notes balance the sweetness of the toppings. You could also use a sweeter scone or a traditional drop biscuit shortcake.

Q4: Can I make the mango melba sauce ahead of time?

Yes, this is a great make-ahead component. Prepare the sauce as directed, let it cool completely, and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently before serving.

Q5: Can I make this dessert without the ice cream?

Of course. The combination of the warm mango sauce and the whipped cream on the biscuit is delicious all on its own for a slightly simpler, lighter dessert.