Cherry Chocolate Heart Scones
Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors with these Cherry Chocolate Heart Scones, inspired by a beloved recipe from epicurious.com. Perfectly tender and slightly sweet, these scones incorporate the vibrant zest of orange, the rich essence of vanilla, and the nutty notes of almond, creating a symphony of tastes that pairs beautifully with the tartness of dried cherries and the sweetness of miniature chocolate chips. Shaped into charming hearts, these scones are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a beautiful addition to any gathering. Enjoy them warm for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or at a fancy tea party – they are sure to impress and satisfy every palate!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups (measured)
Sugar
1/3 cup (measured)
Baking powder
1 teaspoon (measured)
Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Unsalted butter
7 tablespoons (chilled and diced)
Orange rind
1 teaspoon (grated)
Miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup (measured)
Dried tart cherries
3/4 cup (coarsely chopped)
Buttermilk
2/3 cup (chilled)
Large egg yolk
1 (raw)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (measured)
Almond extract
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
Milk
1/4 cup (for glaze)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
3
Add the chilled and diced butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
4
Gently fold in the grated orange rind, miniature chocolate chips, and coarsely chopped dried cherries until evenly distributed.
5
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chilled buttermilk, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth.
6
Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until the dough starts to come together in moist clumps.
7
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently press it into a 3/4-inch thick rectangle. If you don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, you can use a knife to cut the dough into 12 triangular scones.
8
Transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. If you prefer, you can cover the tray with plastic wrap and refrigerate to chill for up to a day.
9
Before baking, brush the tops of the scones lightly with milk and sprinkle with the remaining sugar for a sweet, crispy finish.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
11
Allow the scones to cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. These scones are best enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cherry Chocolate Heart Scones?
They are tender, slightly sweet scones featuring a fusion of orange zest, vanilla, almond, dried cherries, and miniature chocolate chips shaped into hearts.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How should the baking sheet be prepared?
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
What dry ingredients are needed?
You will need unbleached all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
How should the butter be added to the dry ingredients?
Add chilled and diced unsalted butter to the flour mixture and rub it in with your fingertips until it resembles coarse meal.
What citrus element is included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of grated orange rind.
What type of chocolate is used in these scones?
The recipe specifies using miniature semisweet chocolate chips.
How should the dried cherries be prepared?
The dried tart cherries should be coarsely chopped before being added to the dough.
What liquid ingredients are whisked together?
Whisk together chilled buttermilk, a large egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
How do you combine the wet and dry ingredients?
Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until moist clumps form.
How thick should the dough be pressed?
The dough should be pressed into a 3/4-inch thick rectangle.
Can I make these without a heart-shaped cutter?
Yes, if you do not have a cutter, you can use a knife to cut the dough into 12 triangular scones.
How many scones does the manual cutting method yield?
Cutting the dough with a knife yields 12 triangular scones.
How far apart should scones be placed on the baking sheet?
Space the scones approximately 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet.
Can the scone dough be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can cover the tray with plastic wrap and refrigerate the unbaked scones for up to a day.
What is used to glaze the scones before baking?
Brush the tops lightly with milk and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.
How long do the scones need to bake?
Bake the scones for 15 to 20 minutes.
How can I tell if the scones are fully cooked?
They are done when the tops are golden and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Should the scones be cooled before serving?
Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet; they are best served warm or at room temperature.
What kind of flour is recommended?
Unbleached all-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe.
Does this recipe use a whole egg?
No, the recipe specifically requires one large egg yolk.
What extracts provide the flavor?
The recipe uses both vanilla extract and almond extract for a rich flavor profile.
What is the purpose of the extra sugar?
The extra two tablespoons of sugar are used for topping to provide a sweet, crispy finish.
Is the butter used at room temperature?
No, the butter must be chilled and diced for the correct scone texture.
What type of milk is used for the glaze?
The recipe simply calls for milk to be used as a light glaze on the tops.
What kind of cherries should I buy?
The recipe calls for dried tart cherries.
What texture should the butter and flour mixture have?
The mixture should resemble coarse meal after rubbing in the butter.
Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?
Yes, 2/3 cup of chilled buttermilk is used to provide moisture and tenderness.
What occasions are these scones suitable for?
They are perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or fancy tea parties.
Where did the inspiration for this recipe come from?
These scones were inspired by a beloved recipe from epicurious.com.