Cherry Pecan Scones Food

CHERRY, CHOCOLATE AND PECAN SCONES WITH STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Position a rack in the center of the oven.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream with the egg. Mix in the cherries, chocolate chips, pecans and golden raisins. Set aside.
• Use a grater with large holes to grate the butter over the dry ingredients. Alternatively, cut the butter into small cubes. Lightly work the butter into the flour with your fingers until it looks like small peas. Gently work the sour cream mixture into the flour mixture. Using your hands, gather the ingredients together from the bottom of the bowl. Wash your hands, then turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, then gather the dough together. Take care not to overwork the dough!
• Gently press the dough into a loose 1-inch-thick circle, about 5 inches in diameter. Use a knife to cut the circle into 6 equal wedges (like slices from a pie). Place the wedges spaced out on a nonstick or parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake the scones until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Allow them to cool a few minutes before serving with the Strawberry Jam.
• In a large bowl, stir together the strawberries with the sugar and vanilla to evenly coat. Allow the mixture to macerate, or sit, for about 15 minutes until the berries are "weepy"-softened and letting off liquid.
• Transfer about three-quarters of the strawberries and some of the liquid at the bottom of the bowl to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit starts to break down, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir back into the bowl of uncooked strawberries. Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Serve warm or let cool, then cover and store in the refrigerator for about a week.

CRANBERRY PECAN SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine 3/4 cup milk and vinegar in a bowl; let stand until milk is curdled, about 5 minutes.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender. Smooth remaining butter clumps with hands; stir in milk mixture, cranberries, and pecans. Knead until dough comes together in a ball.
• Place dough onto a floured work surface. Roll out with a rolling pin to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut into long, 2-inch wide strips with a sharp knife; cut strips into triangles. Transfer to the baking sheet. Brush tops with egg white.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops are golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Combine confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons milk in a small bowl; mix until combined. Drizzle over scones.

CHERRY CREAM SCONES

Steps:

• Soak cherries in water for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cream of tartar. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter. Set aside. , Preheat oven to 400°. In a small bowl, combine egg yolk, sour cream, cream and extract. Add to flour mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently six to eight times. Knead in cherries. , Divide dough in half and shape into balls. Roll each ball into a 6-in. circle. Cut into six wedges. Repeat with remaining ball. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Beat the egg white until foamy; brush tops of scones and sprinkle with sugar. , Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

CHERRY SCONES

Steps:

• Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• Cut frozen grated butter into the flour mixture until well combined.
• Combine egg, buttermilk and vanilla, and mix into the dry ingredients until dough forms.
• Fold in the chopped cherries.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• Knead lightly and shape into a 10-inch circle.
• Cut into wedges place on a greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 16 to 19 minutes or until golden brown.
• Dust with powdered sugar.
• Serve warm.

DRIED CHERRY BUTTERMILK SCONES

Steps:

• In a bowl whisk together 1/2 cup of the buttermilk, the egg, the brown sugar, and the vanilla until the mixture is combined well. In another bowl stir together the flour, the baking powder, the baking soda, and the salt and blend in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the cherries and the buttermilk mixture with a fork until the mixture just forms a sticky but manageable dough. Knead the dough gently for 30 seconds on a lightly floured surface, pat it into a 3/4-inch-thick round, and cut it into 8 wedges. On an ungreased baking sheet brush the wedges with the remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk and sprinkle them with the granulated sugar. Bake the scones in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are golden.

DRIED CHERRY SCONES

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup of dried cherries (or other dried fruit) with 2 tablespoons brandy or apricot nectar.
• Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Combine dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, baking powder).
• Cut the shortening into the dry ingredients well.
• Add pecans.
• Make a 'hole' in the center of the dried mixture.
• Stir together well beaten egg and half-and-half.
• Add egg and fruit mixtures to dry ingredients all at once.
• Using a fork, stir just until moistened.
• Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• Knead for 12 to 15 strokes.
• Form dough into a 7 inch circle, and cut into 8 wedges.
• Place scones 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Brush tops with 1 tbsp half-and-half, sprinkle with 2 tsp sugar.
• Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• Serve warm with maple-nut butter posted on this site, if desired.

CHERRY AND PECAN CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan simmer cherries in water until liquid is reduced to about 1 tablespoon. Remove pan from heat and cool mixture.
• In a bowl whisk together cream cheese, pecans, lime juice, thyme, zest, cherry mixture, and salt and pepper to taste until spread is combined well. Spread may be made 2 days ahead and kept chilled, covered.
• Serve spread with scones or crackers.

LOW-FAT WHOLE WHEAT CRANBERRY PECAN SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until coarse crumbs form. Stir in cranberries and pecans. Mix in skim milk until dough comes together and is the consistency of cookie dough.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat into a 1-inch thick round. Cut into 8 wedges with a greased knife. Arrange 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 15 minutes.