If there’s anything good to be said in favor of the colder, wintry climate slowly but surely settling in across the northern hemisphere, it would undoubtedly be about baking. No longer does the kitchen itself become a sweltering sauna upon preheating the oven, and whipped meringue stays fluffy and pert, regardless of the duration. Holiday cookie plates aren’t the only reason why bakers return to their sugary arsenal around this time of year; the seasonal shift triggers an instinctive need for warmth and comfort, both of which can be found in ample supply within a fresh batch of flaky apple danishes, still steamy within, or gooey chocolate chip cookies, soft as non-dairy butter.

The soothing capacity of homemade baked foods isn’t limited to any single genre, and exactly what sweet treat one pulls out of that radiating electric range is a highly personal choice. For me, tender, sticky gingerbread would be on the menu every day if I was living solo. Since variety is the spice of life, or so I’m led to believe, perhaps it’s a good thing that my family members all have their own words of wisdom once the oven roars back to life after its summer hibernation.

Hands down, scones will always rank near the top of the list for my mom, whether they’re served with extra icing for dessert or a smear of jam for breakfast. My tried-and-true formula, that fool-proof ratio of flour, liquid, and fat effortlessly yielding golden brown and delicious biscuits, rarely varies. The mix-ins are what keeps each subsequent batch exciting, preventing palate fatigue before the frozen earth outsides begins to thaw.

Looking to shake up the standard pastry routine, I was in luck when Meduri Fruit offered to send me a sample of their wares. Calling these morsels “boutique-quality dried fruit” sounds like a dubious compliment at first blush, but these specimens were truly outstanding. Whereas bulk bin picks are certainly more economical, they often dry out to a consistency better suited to beefless jerky, deterring more frequent purchases. None of that can be found here. Each variety is clearly dehydrated with care, maintaining an incredibly soft, chewy texture in each sweet piece.

Using such intensely flavorful dried fruits allows the kitchen-sink approach to work so brilliantly in these unassuming scones. Their inner beauty is revealed with each bite, the essence of a different fruit coming forward in alternating nibbles and crumbs. The specifics aren’t terribly important when selecting your own dried fruits; quality counts above all else.

Yield: 4 Scones

Fruit Basket Scones

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Each bite of these tender scones unveils the essence of a different fruit; chewy, sweet, tart, and tangy in alternating nibbles and crumbs

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 Cup Almond Meal
• 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
• 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Cup Vegan Butter
• 1/2 – 2/3 Cup Mixed Dried or Candied Fruits, Chopped into Raisin-Sized Pieces if Necessary
• 3 – 5 Tablespoons Plain Non-Dairy Milk
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
• 1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper or a silpat.
2. Mix the flour, almond meal, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl until thoroughly blended. Cut the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces before dropping them into the dry goods. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut in the butter until you have coarse crumbs with chunks of butter no larger than the size of a lentil.
3. Add in the dried or candied fruits of your choice, tossing to coat with flour before drizzling in 3 tablespoons of non-dairy milk along with the lemon juice and almond extract. Mix thoroughly, using your hands to bring the dough together if necessary, and slowly incorporate additional non-dairy milk if the mixture is still to dry to form a cohesive ball.
4. Gather up the dough into a big round and place it on your prepared baking sheet. Pat it out into an even round about 1/2-inch in thickness. Use a very sharp knife to slice it into four equal wedges, and then sprinkle them with slice almonds. Press down gently to make sure the nuts adhere to the tops of the scones.
5. Bake for 18 – 20 minutes, until golden brown all over. Serve warm or cool on a wire rack for later.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 643Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 481mgCarbohydrates: 114gFiber: 3gSugar: 72gProtein: 7g