Heart-Shaped Dried Cherry and Chocolate Chip Scones

Chef #221488's Note:

Wonderful scones from epicurious.com. I didn't have a 2" heart-shaped cookie cutter so I just cut the dough into 12 triangular shapes. Very easy and absolutely delicious. I love the combo of orange, vanilla, almond, cherry and chocolate. A must-try!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 12.0 scones

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 1 teaspoon orange rind, grated (packed)
• 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup dried tart cherry, coarsely chopped
• 2/3 cup buttermilk, chilled
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup milk (for glaze)
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1. Butter and flour baking sheet.
2. Whisk 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Add butter and grated orange peel; rub in with fingertips until coarse meal forms. Mix in chocolate chips and dried cherries.
3. Whisk buttermilk, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract in small bowl to blend.
4. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients; stir with fork until dough comes together in moist clumps.
5. Gather dough into ball. Press out dough on lightly floured surface to 3/4-inch thickness. Using 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out scones. Gather scraps, press out dough and cut out additional scones.
6. Transfer to baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.).
7. Preheat oven to 400°F
8. Brush scones lightly with milk; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
9. Bake until scones are crusty on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes (or up to 20 minutes if refrigerated).
10. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Reviews

[HeyLillie]

VERY tasty! I watched my 13 year old niece make these for an Alice in Wonderland party-- they came out great. She had no problems with the dough being sticky. Everyone loved them at the party and was surprised that they were easy enough for a teen to make. My ONLY thought is that they were a BIT dry.

[Chef #546817]

Awesome recipe! Dough was kind of hard to work with (wet)and I just used my hands to shape the dough (eyeballed 12 servings) YUMMY, I can't wait for my hubby to try these!!!!

[marsha anne]

Made these as per instructions, even the heart shape....MAN, what a wonderful bedtime snack with a cold glass of milk. These came out perfect. I will definately be making these many times over again. Excellent!!!!