(Relatively) Healthy Oatmeal Scones

slicedpeaches's Note:

After finding an old scone recipe in the crevices of my kitchen, I experimented a little and it turned into a low fat--but still delicious!--treat, great for breakfast, snacks, or afternoon tea. These are best warm, split in half and spread with jam, preserves, butter, and/or clotted cream. Also great with a hot cup of tea. =)

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 ¼ cups wheat flour
• ¾ cup old fashioned oats
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1⁄3; cup dried fruit (raisins, currants, cranberries, etc.) (optional)
• ¼ cup light butter or ¼ cup margarine
• 2⁄3; cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon half-and-half (optional)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• extra sugar
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk (for brushing)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix together dry ingredients (flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt).
3. Cut in butter (I like to dice the butter and add it in, separating the cubes) and combine using a fork until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
4. Add dried fruit to dry mixture if desired.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (buttermilk, half-and-half, vanilla).
6. Gradually add wet mixture to the flour mixture and combine until a soft and sticky dough is formed.
7. Move dough to a lightly floured surface and knead 2-3 times. Do not overwork the dough. Roll the dough into a 6-8-inch circle (depending on how thick you like your scones) and cut into 8 pie-shaped slices. You can experiment with other dough shapes (such as circles) to maximize servings.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until scones are golden-brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
9. For extra crunch and golden color, brush the tops of the scones with buttermilk. Liberally sprinkle sugar on top and broil carefully for a few minutes, turning and adjusting as necessary. Be sure to watch as sugar browns quickly.
10. Enjoy.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

Followed your recipe right on down, but did use a half cup of diced dried apricots (the optional dried fruit) & then initially served them with some apricot preserves! DELICIOUS, without a doubt! Will certainly make these again! [Made & reviewed in Healthy Choices ABC recipe tag]

[Lalaloula]

These scones were delicious! They have such a yummy nutty taste from the wholegrain flour and the oats and dried fruits add wonderful texture and taste. Mmmm! What a great way to start the day!
I needed only 1/4 cup of liquid for half the recipe to make the dough workable and ened up with 4 chunky rounds. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this keeper with us, slicedpeaches!
Made and reviewed for Healthy Choices Tag Game January 2011.

[aorukhu]

I'm vegan, so I substituted for the butter and buttermilk (2/3 tsp vinegar with 2/3 cup soymilk works perfectly), but they still came out WONDERFULLY. Delicious.