Coconut Lemon Scones with Lavender Option

Ahhh scones... the epitome of afternoon tea.  I carry vivid memories of my very first tender biscuit (some 30 years ago!) served with traditional clotted cream and a side of homemade apricot jam whilst visiting the South of England - Devon to be exact.  And while I'm not sure I've ever tasted another scone that actually lives up to this memory, I haven't stopped trying.

On occasion we used to bake scones with traditional butter and cream, but when my son (dairy-free) requested a lemon version we used a coconut milk substitute and we haven't looked back at heavy cream since.

Light and tender, these scones bake to a lovely bite on the outside with a tender, almost creamy inside - when a light hand is used in kneading.

The coconut milk lends a richness and boosts the flavors all around, and the lemon icing brings a bright finish to the whole thing.

Another scone stuck in my memory found its way to me far, far away from the green hillsides of England, but rather in a Farmer's Market on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.  The flavor of the day listed lavender and I almost walked right on by.  But curiosity got the best of me and I purchased one for brunch.  Hesitant, as lavender has always been a candle scent in my world, my husband and I shared the scone and quickly wished we had purchased two.

Today, a new lavender plant in my back yard, brought temptation to recreate the Hawaiian Lavender version along with our sunny lemon.  And fresh lavender turned this scone into another great success.  While it's not seeming to be a hit with everyone who tries, those who do enjoy the flavors of lavender will enjoy the lavender/lemon combo of this dairy-free recipe.

So whether you prefer a brilliantly bright lemon scone on its own, or lemon with a hint of lavender, you can start making new scone memories right here and right now.

Wishing you love and laughter my friends, enjoy!

Strawberry Scones

While I'm not much of a holiday celebrator, Liv celebrates each and every day as if it's a special holiday.  As Valentine's is just around the corner, her love of everything pink and hearts fits the celebration bill, and being that she's still young enough to claim me as her number one Valentine... I'm in.

Wednesday being carpool day (I take 3 fabulous girls from school to dance rehearsal), Strawberry Scones shaped as hearts seemed the appropriate after school snack.  The heart shape of these scones alone made the girls ooh and ahh, but it was a filling of strawberry jam that had the them proclaiming their undying love.  Topped with a sprinkle of crunchy raw sugar, the scones bring a lovely bite with a sweet, strawberry finish.

What's on your list for your Valentine this year??

Vanilla Bean Scones

Friday night... it used to mean so much more than it does now.  In my early 20's, I would head home after a full day of school in addition to a full day of work, shower, glam myself up, and wait for the clock to tick 10:00PM.  After all, everyone knows that anyone heading out before 10 was definitely not "cool", and cool is what I wanted to be.  Tired, but looking forward to seeing friends, I would meet my BFF, Gail, at our local hang out where we both somehow gained a second wind and would dance the night away.

Now, however, Friday brings a whole new meaning.  Friday is the only night of the week that Liv doesn't have dance, hence, I don't have to drive anywhere if I don't want to.  And frequently, I don't want to.  While I do enjoy the occasional High School football game or an early bird cocktail with girlfriends, I mostly look forward to a night with no schedule and a bedtime bordering on 9PM. 

With the car parked and put to bed by 3 PM this afternoon, our family has enjoyed this unusually hot San Diego Friday evening (our temps reached the mid to high 90's, and with no air conditioning, it's a little hot...) under a fan catching up on the latest episodes of So You Think You Can Dance along with a simple dinner from the grill.

Looking for a sweet treat, Liv thankfully remembered the product of my early morning baking extravaganza - tender, sweet, Vanilla Bean Scones.  Topped with a sweet glaze speckled with tiny vanilla bean specs, I originally proclaimed these scones bland.  That proclamation, perhaps an early jump to conclusion, came as they were fresh from the oven while the glaze was still "drippy" and not set.

Liv and her girlfriend a few hours later, however, had a very opposite opinion.  Bringing them scones for our carpool ride home, each girl's eyes nearly popped as they took their first bites, and asking for critiques, the only on they came up with was, "You didn't bring enough!".

Taking my second try this evening, I have to agree with the girls.  Tender and with that ever so slight "crunch" as one bites into the hardened vanilla glaze, these delicate scones had me slyly reaching for seconds.  A wonderful, basic recipe that eases one's sweet tooth and brings a little excitement into Friday night.

Speaking of Friday night, it's 9:05.  I need to get to bed...

Tropical Coconut Scones wtih Passion Fruit Glaze

Passiflora, Lilikoi, or simply Passion Fruit, the mere scent can derive visions of turquoise waters and swaying palms directly into your minds eye.  Add the aroma of coconut and one has a true tropical treat on their hands bringing a taste of the tropics right into your kitchen.

Some 25 years ago I was lucky enough to participate in an afternoon tea at the birthplace of Sir Walther Raleigh in Devon, England.  A touch of elegance was introduced to my young life with a simple plain scone that became nothing short of spectacular when it met clotted cream and homemade apricot jam.  While I don't remember many meals from that long ago, this one stand forefront in my mind as does my love of the scone.

Originally of Scottish origin and baked without leaveners, the scone "rose" in popularity with the introduction of baking powder and now has a popular following in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and many other countries.  A basic component of the traditional Devonshire Tea, the scone can now also be easily found in supermarkets and bakeries worldwide.  Made either sweet or savory, these quick breads are biscuit-like and easy enough to make at home.

For years, my idea of a scone was that plain version I was introduced to at the Devonshire Tea, however, Liv and I have experimented with flavors over the years and we have broadened our horizons with Lemon Blueberry Scones, Spiced Pumpkin Scones, and one of my all time favorites, Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Scones.  Slightly crispy on the outside and extraordinarily tender inside, scones work wonderfully in the morning with your tea or coffee and equally as well as an after school snack or afternoon pick-me-up when those stomach growls reach their peak.

With a jar of Kelapo Coconut Oil in our pantry, a bag of passion fruit on our counter and a yearning for the tropics, the idea of a Tropical Coconut Scone topped with an aromatic Passion Fruit Glaze seemed to call my name.  Replacing butter with the coconut oil and whipping cream with coconut milk, the heady scent of coconut had visions of white sand beaches popping into my kitchen.  Topped before baking with a sprinkle of raw sugar (pure cane from Hawaii - of course), the scones are delightful even without the glaze bringing a light coconut flavor and a nice sugar crunch.  Adding the glaze however, brought these little gems over the top and had me dreaming of Maui in no time.  Look under the nearest palm tree, that's where you will find Liv and me...

 

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Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Scones

Cranberry and orange... a match made in heaven.  Combine the two with flour, sugar, butter and a sweet glaze and you actually have heaven in the shape of a scone!   While a dose of oatmeal doesn't exactly make these scones "healthy", it does add some fiber and it's cholesterol lowering benefits with every bite make me feel a bit better as I reach for my second.

I have long since forgotten the source of this favorite recipe, it's scribbled directions splattered with juice and glaze in the 10 years that it has been gracing our kitchen.  Even my "I don't really like baked goods" husband reached for a second serving of these tender, light scones and Liv immediately proclaimed them "One of the best ever!" as my teenage son sampled his with a smile.

My handwritten note to "plump" the cranberries and raisins is a step that I have forgotten in the past.  Not really a big deal, but worth mentioning that "plumping" is preferable, providing a scone with rounded berries and raisins simply bursting with flavor.

If you are a cranberry/orange fan you may enjoy our Cranberry Orange Bread for the bread machine!   Thick slices turn into the most divine french toast!  Also perfect for left over turkey sandwiches.

Pumpkin Scones

I seem to be a bit behind the power curve, but I'm finally beginning to channel my inner pumpkin!  Pumpkin Pancakes have been the breakfast of choice more than once in the last few weeks and after reading on a now forgotten blog that there might be a pumpkin shortage I picked up a number of cans on a recent Trader Joe's run.  Cold, drizzly San Diego is definitely urging me in the comfort food direction and today Pumpkin Scones seemed to fit the bill.  

A search for recipes didn't provide many variances, and Starbucks seems to have the recipe of choice.  Though I have not actually had the scones from the coffee house itself, the highly recommended and gushed over recipe appeared to be a must try.  Similar recipes turned up over and over from the Brown Eyed Baker blog to WeHeartFood to Pennies on a Platter and on to numerous others.  Seems this is "the" recipe to try!  

Our version is very close to the others - only a bit of tweaking to suit our tastes.  I substituted spelt flour for some of the all-purpose with the sole intention of making me feel like I was making the pastries somewhat healthier (you may use all all-purpose if you don't have spelt).  With cinnamon and ginger high on our spice list I increased those and decreased the clove to all but a pinch.  Amazing that just a pinch of clove is still noticeable to our sensitive taste buds... not really a favorite flavor, but definitely missed if deleted completely.

Tender pastry is then topped with an egg wash and my favorite raw sugar to give that oft desired crunch.  Glazed with not one, but two sweet glazes these pastries are bursting with the flavors of fall and a definite comfort on chilly, drizzly days!

 

Scones with Golden Raisins and Tropical Glaze

In keeping with our recent tropical theme we present Scones with Golden Raisins and a sweet tropical glaze.  While I'd love to take full credit for the tropical glaze that took these scones over the top, I have to admit that it came about more out of lack of ingredients (orange or lemon juice) rather than a master plan.  None the less, the Organic Trader Joe's Strawberry, Orange, Banana Juice that we substituted for the missing orange or lemon was an excellent tropical topping for these tender scones.

Golden raisins add a sweetness to the dough that when combined with the tropical tasting glaze created the ideal melt in your mouth pastry.  These plump golden raisins were not only organic, but locally grown and dried.  Plump, pretty and bursting with flavor, these raisins are found at our Leucadia Farmers Market.  I first noticed the pretty little bags, finished with a tie of raffia, a few weeks ago and purchased a bag to make Oatmeal Cookies... somehow I ended up eating the whole thing out of hand!  I don't think I've ever had a raisin other than the bag of Dole raisins that comes from Costco and I was quite surprised at the amount of flavor bursting from each one.  

Mixed into our scone pastry dough these tasty raisins perfectly complemented the sweet, Strawberry Orange Banana glaze that topped the finished goods.  Perfect with your morning cup of coffee, or as Liv used them, as breakfast on the run on your way to school, these treats are a bright start to your day!

Lemon Blueberry Scones

The house is very quiet... too quiet.  I've cleaned up the kitchen, fed the puppies, started laundry and all the while my mind is on the kids and their first day of school.  Today my baby boy started high school.  He walked off so tall and confident, never once looking back.  So unlike that first day of kindergarten 9 years ago when he suddenly realized that Mommy wasn't going to be staying with him and the tears began to flow.  Growing up is hard... on me!  

The First Day of School always commands a special breakfast and today was no different.  Lemon Blueberry Scones were still warm from the oven as the sleepy eyed kids made their way downstairs in the semi darkness of 6:20 AM.  Their eyes lost the sleepy look as they fueled up for the day and we headed out (Liv with another scone in her lunch bag!) to start the year.  

Frozen blueberries with condensation

The dough will be sticky...

Scones with raw sugar sparkling in the sun!

Light and airy, these blueberry scones were a wonderful way to begin or morning.  While I usually prefer the denser, crusty scones that command lots of butter, these were a lovely, somewhat healthier start to our day with only ¼ cup.  Buttermilk provided a nice, tender crumb, and the lemon combined with blueberries is always a favorite.  Personally, raw sugar on top of scones providing a bit of crunch is always my favorite part, so even though this recipe did not call for the raw sugar, as there is a glaze, I brushed the tops with milk and added the sugar anyway!  The scones were good without the glaze, but with the glaze they attained an excellent status!

5 hours remain until the first day of school lets out.  I know the kids will both do just fine, Spanish, algebra, geometry, biology, etc.  I think I'm glad I'm not there.  But I sure do miss them here...

Chocolate Chip Scones

A few weeks ago we were in Las Vegas for Liv's dance competition and had the "pleasure" of breakfast at Starbucks.  While I wasn't overly thrilled with my burnt coffee and untoasted bagel, Olivia and her brother made a new discovery... Scones!  Now I'm not sure Chocolate Chip Scones from Starbucks count as traditional, but the kids are thrilled with their new revelation and are now avid scone fans.

Since we have come home, Liv has asked numerous times to try to repeat her Chocolate Chip Scone from that morning.  Today we finally had an unscheduled morning and took to the computer to look for a recipe.  I'm amazed at the number of scone recipes out there, Fruit Scones, Chocolate Scones, Whole Wheat Scones, Gluten Free Scones, Scones with frosting, and even savory scones.  Epicurious provided an appealing Chocolate Chip Scone recipe that seemed to suit our taste and with some adaptations, we got to baking. 

The ingredients come together easily and quickly.  Liv was careful not to over mix her dough as she put everything together and was rewarded with a lovely, tender, light chocolate chip scone.  Although the recipe did not call for extra sugar on top, she felt that it would be a welcome addition (good call!) and we sprinkled raw sugar over the milk glaze for a nice added crunch.  

The dough was a tad sticky, but not difficult to work with on a lightly floured surface.  Once the dough is patted into the round, I found that my pizza cutter, sprayed lightly with cooking spray, made a wonderful cutting tool.  A wide spatula or bench scraper works well for transporting the fragile dough to the prepared pan.

Frankly, I prefer fruit scones (blueberry will be up next!), but these were truly good.  This recipe would work well with just about any variation that you can think of, and I'm thinking that it will remain our base for future scone projects.