Of Scones and Love

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)
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Strange when examined up close, despite how common the practice is, the way we tend to assign deeper meaning and otherwise nonsensical connections to everyday objects is a behavior that still intrigues me. The way that something like an innocent mandolin can inspire fear upon sight in some, and how there’s nothing more soothing than a steaming cup of tea, no matter the actual flavor. Stemming from so many converging memories, it’s hard to say where all of these associations come from, but I’m fairly certain I know why I’ve been thinking of scones a whole lot lately, and along with them, a particular person who really deserves a half-dozen or so of them.

It was the very first thing I ever successfully baked for anyone else, and I still swell with pride as I recall that beautifully browned tray of lumpy, sweet breakfast biscuits. Sparkling with coarse turbinado sugar sprinkled liberally on top, each scone was lovingly decorated and carefully shaped, despite the bumpy surfaces. Made with cranberries and orange zest, a fairly safe but still new combination to me, I watched anxiously as I served the first one to my mother, candidly observing her every reaction. Although it may have been a good bit of acting on her part, she seemed just as thrilled as I, and from then on, I’ve always felt that the best treat to make for her would be scones.

Since that day, there have been scads of scones, some better than others, some prettier and still some that were huge flops and went quickly into the open trash can. But she tried them all, enthusiastic and still honest when asked her opinion, and so the scones kept on coming.

Until life got in the way, of course. Focusing more on the holidays and other baking projects, I’m sad to say that it’s easily been months since the last batch of scones were born in this kitchen. And with that confession, I realize that it’s been equally as long as I made something special for my mom. Who needs a better reason to bake than that?

I’m a firm believer that mother’s day should come around a number of times a year, at random and by surprise, especially for a woman who’s gone above and beyond the call of parenting to save my sorry butt so many times. Forget waiting for a special occasion, now is as good a time as any to spread the love… Especially with scones.

Although this little number falls more on the cakey side of the tracks than I usually like my scones, they’re a refreshing change of pace, perfectly suited for a chilly autumn breakfast or brunch.

Yield: 8 Scones

Apple Ginger Scones

Apple Ginger Scones

Hearty, spicy, and packed full of tender apple pieces, these scones are a lightly sweetened seasonal delight.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Apple Ginger Scones

  • 2 Cups White Whole Wheat Flour
  • 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
  • Pinch Ground Allspice
  • 1/2 Cup No Sugar Added Apple Butter
  • 1/2 Cup Apple Cider
  • 1/3 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, Packed
  • 1/2 Cup Frozen Vegan Butter, Diced
  • 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Crystallized Ginger
  • 1 Medium Red Apple, Diced

Ginger-Cider Icing:

  • 3/4 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 1/2 – 1 Tablespoons Apple Cider

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and line a baking sheet with either a silpat or piece of parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and spices, so that all of the dry ingredients are equally distributed throughout. Separately, mix together the apple butter, cider, and sugar until smooth, and set aside.
  3. Add the frozen butter into the dry ingredients, and using a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the butter in so that you achieve a coarse but even meal-like consistency with no pieces larger than peas. Toss in the chopped ginger and apple so that they’re coated in the flour, and then pour in the wet ingredients. Stir just enough to bring the dough together.
  4. Scoop out about 1/2 cup of batter for each scone, and use lightly moistened hands to shape the lumps into rounds on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 – 22 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool completely on a wire rack before preparing the icing.
  5. For the icing, simply stir together all of the ingredients, adding in the cider just a few drops at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Drizzle across the scones liberally.

Notes

Scones can be stored covered, at room temperature, for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 385Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 323mgCarbohydrates: 68gFiber: 4gSugar: 44gProtein: 4g
© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Breakfast and Brunch

 

37 thoughts on “Of Scones and Love”

  2. I love ‘cakey’ deserts, my cookies, muffins, scones, are always my favorite when they are soft and fluffy, like little cakes! And apple and ginger, you can’t get any better than that!

    You are so lucky to have such an amazing mom, and she is really lucky to have such a wonderful daughter who keeps her in a constant supply of delicious scones. Maybe that is the real reason to have kids…in the hopes that they make you delicious vegan treats!

  4. What a wonderful story, Hannah. I hope I can squeeze these in one day especially as I have lots of crystalized ginger sitting around.

  6. I never tire of receiving RSS feeds from your site:)
    Revenue still very tasty, original and easy to do!
    I am a fan, it’s crazy as you are gifted! If the major part of French vegan could cook like you, France would change the idea of veganism!

    Bravo Miss, you’re doing a great job!

  9. This is such a sweet post about baking for your mom. I agree with you in terms of celebrating our mothers on more than one occasion per year. These scones sounds and look delicious! I love the inclusion of ginger and apples.

  14. My husband introduced me to the joy of scones when we first met. It became our Sundy “treat.” We would always go on a long walk that would end in picking up two scones and some tea.

    These scones look great! I may have to bring back some memories by making a batch.

  15. Those scones are beautiful and highlight two of my favorite flavor combos. I haven’t made any scones since my apprenticeship–I got sick of them then–but this looks like a good recipe to ease back into the biscuity treat with!

  22. Oh I’ve never tried making scones before, and these look fantastic! =)

    Maybe I’ll have to work up to courage to try these out, I’ve never been much of a baker but then again I never really tried. I usually stick to vegan no bake pies and easy to handle muffins!

  30. Thanks for the recipe, lightned up my Thanksgiving :) Cider ist quite a lovely marinade base. Plus: even my dead-animal-loving husband liked it.

    1. Either swap will change the flavor quite a bit, but I might recommend increasing both- The ginger will give you more of that bright, spicy flavor while the apple pieces will fill in for the missing chunks of crystallized ginger. Hope you like the results. Happy Baking!

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