Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Maple Oat Scones with Ginger


These scones are simply amazing! Even more amazing is the aroma of these delicious treats during and after baking. I bet you could sell tickets to people to just come and take a deep breath in your kitchen. The scones have a slight crunch when you bite into them but they are soft and delicate inside. The maple flavor is subtle and the bits of ginger perfectly complement the nutty oat flavour and texture.

Notes:
  • This makes a BIG bowl of dough - a small bowl will not do for mixing.
  • The first batched I baked was put into the oven right after the dough was mixed and cut. The second batch I put in the freezer for 15 minutes before baking. The first batch came out about an inch or so thick but the 2nd colder batch came out at least double that size. Both tasted delicious and baked for about the same time.
  • I find powdered sugar can have a bit of a strange taste so I add a squeeze of lemon to brighten it up.
  • Makes approx 22ish scones.


Adapted from a recipe by Ina Garten.


Ingredients
3-1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 c oats, quick cooking
2 c butter, cold and diced
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c crystallized ginger
2 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
5 large eggs
1/2 c maple syrup
1/2 c buttermilk


Glaze
1-1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
squeeze of lemon

Sanding sugar and extra oats (optional)



What to do
1.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the flours, oats, baking powder, sugar and salt.

3. Mix in the cold butter in at the lowest speed and combine until the butter is mixed in and the size of peas.

4. Combine the buttermilk, maple syrup and eggs and add to the flour-and-butter mixture. Mix until just blended or your scones will be tough. The dough will and should be sticky.


5. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Flour your hands and knead 4 times (again to avoid toughness). Using a floured rolling pin flatten the dough to 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Pieces of butter will be visiblem (mmm butter). Cut into 3-inch rounds with a circular cookie cutter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  
6. Brush the tops with egg wash. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are crisp and bottoms are golden.


7. To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. When the scones are removed from the oven, cool for about 5 minutes and drizzle each scone with some of the glaze (I put it in a squeeze bottle so I have more control over it).

8. Sprinkle tops of scones with some raw oats and sanding sugar if desired.




5 comments:

  1. Scones make me weak in the knees! I just love the good, flaky, buttery, melt in your mouth goodness!

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  2. Maple... scones... oats... yep, I'll take a couple dozen. :-D

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  3. Mmm your scones look amazing! Lovely recipe! :)

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  4. Those look so good! Especially maple with ginger - yummy :D

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  5. MMMMMM,...Your special & festive scones look so adorable, pretty & mighty tasty too!
    Yummmmm,...You have a cool food blog!
    Many greetings from a foodie from Belgium!

    ReplyDelete