Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Fudge Walnut Swirl Scones!

Who knows what provides that spark of inspiration? It can be as simple as a scene in a movie, or a photo in a magazine, or just reading a cook book. It might be a memory. Sometimes it comes out of thin air! I find inspiration all over the place. Even when I'm sleeping new recipes come to me. That's what happened last night, after I finally fell asleep at 4:30 in the morning (yes, I'm that age!). I woke up around 7 am and just knew I had to make a scone with a fudge swirl and walnuts, and make it today! Because I'm working all nights this week, I had the morning off and started right in. I can make scones blind-folded, so these came together in a flash. Here's a collage of the process, followed by the recipe which just might become part of my regular repetoire, and yours, too! Let me know if you make these delicious scones and how you like them!



FUDGE WALNUT SWIRL SCONES
Makes 6 large or 12 mini scones

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces butter, softened
1/4 cup buttermilk, or 1/4 cup milk soured with a tablespoon of cider vinegar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons hot fudge sauce
chopped walnuts
egg wash (1 egg yolk beaten with a tablespoon of milk or cream)

Directions:
In large mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in softened butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or two knives until butter is the size of small peas. Place bowl in freezer for 10 minutes for the butter pieces to firm up and become well chilled.

Take flour mixture out of the freezer. In small, separate bowl, combine milk, beaten egg, and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and toss lightly with fork until most of the flour is absorbed.

Turn out the flour/milk mixture onto a well-floured counter top or board. Shape it into a loose ball and knead 10 times (folding in half over itself and patting down 10 times).

Shape into 1 round disk, about 6-inches across for 6 large scones, or divide dough into two equal parts and form each into a disk, about 4-inches across.  Spread disks with hot fudge sauce (two tablespoons for large disk, one tablespoon each for smaller disks). Sprinkle hot fudge with chopped walnuts.

Roll up disk, jelly-roll style, into a log.

Tuck ends under the log.

Shape log into a circle (6-inches for 6 large or two 4-inch circles for 12 mini).  Cut each disk into 6 sections.

Place triangles on parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Brush or blot tops of scones with egg wash.

Put pan in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking. The shape is better when they go in the oven super cold!

Take pan from freezer and bake for 20-23 minutes depending on oven. Scones are done when they take on a golden-brown crust. Don't let them get too dark.

Remove pan to wire rack to cool.

Serve scones for breakfast or with tea, or for a really lovely dessert, warm up and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Bonus photo: Pete, my 3-year old grandson, helped make these cookies yesterday. Actually, I helped him because his motto is "I can do it myself!" for everything. And he pretty much did!



Sweet Pete 


13 comments:

  1. Oh Chocolate, my weakness,....these sound soooo good ! Keep those dreams on the front burner..!!!! CKJ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will, Cindy! This is what happens when cookbooks are your bedtime reading!

      Delete
  2. You have such a knack for creativity. I can just smell these as I read your Blog! Maybe one day I will attempt scones.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You make them sound so easy. They look so yummy. I am sure they taste as good as they look. Thank you for sharing. I am going to copy the recipe and try making them one of these days. You should hold classes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy, people have asked me to do classes before. If I didn't have a full-time job, I'd consider it! Thanks for your thoughtful comment, and let me know when you make the scones and how you like them!

      Delete
  4. I have never tried making scones -- although I love yours, especially the lemon ones. I feel the need to try these -- you know how much Pete and I love chocolate. They don't sound too difficult to make and you have given me easy to follow picture instructions.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  5. You may have turned my attitude toward scones...I found them to be yummy.
    Thanks for sharing them :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I will be trying these very soon. And I am testing the comment function.....seems to be working fine!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have never had a scone...and I lived in London, England for 3 years! These sound delightful ~ with your wonderful written words and beautiful photos - I might just have to give these a go and try my first scone!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Got caught in a sinus infection fog the last week, but still very much looking forward to making your lemon scones

    ReplyDelete