Chocolate and Orange Scones

Friday, October 16, 2015

Last weekend I went on a wonderful trip to Portland.  I had a great time seeing Janssen, eating donuts, meeting new and awesome people, and generally enjoying a work trip/vacation. It was sad to leave Adam and Fox behind, but for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed my time away.  

On my flight up to Portland, I flew with Delta and they have free movies (always a win in my book) that you can watch, and they had Cinderella, the new live action that came out earlier this year.  I watched it on our way back from France and loved it, but it was fun to watch it again, this time without worrying that my baby was going to wake up in the middle and start screaming.  

I like watching movies that leave me motivated to be a better person, and Cinderella does just that.  The phrase "have courage and be kind" has been washing over the internet since this movie came out, and it feels a little overused and cliche, but as I watched it again, I was reminded of how much better this world would be if we were all just a little kinder.  My first response is almost always to be critical, and I love how Cinderella is always gracious, despite her circumstances.  She might be a character in a movie, but I definitely could benefit from being a little more like her.  

We live in a world it is cool to be judgmental, unkind, and hard to please, particularly on the internet, but if we are willing to have courage and be kind, we can leave things better than they were before we came. It isn't always easy, and we may not get a fairytale ending, but being kind is always worth it.  Have a wonderful weekend! 



Chocolate and Orange Scones:
adapted from My Baking Addiction
yields 8 scones

1/3 cup of turbinado sugar (you can also use granulated sugar)
zest of 1 large navel orange
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
8 tbs cold, unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 cup chocolate chips

In a stand mixer combine the sugar and zest and rub through your fingers until the sugar is fragrant.  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix.

Add your diced butter and mix for about 3 minutes, until the butter is broken down into small pieces, no larger than the size of peas.

Add your buttermilk and egg.  Briefly mix until all the flour is mixed in.

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Lightly flour a clean surface, form your dough into a ball, and push it down on the floured surface.  Flip it over, and push it down again, and form the dough into a circle about 1 1/2" thick. and 7" in diameter.  Cut it into 8 equal pieces and put it in a round (or square) pan.

Cook in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the edges are starting to brown up.  Remove from the oven, and immediately press chocolate chips into the scones.  Let sit for about 10 minutes, until the scones are mostly cooled then enjoy!



6 comments

  1. What a sweet post!! Have you ever read the book Congratulations by the Way - by George Saunders? Its based on his convocation talk he gave at a university a couple of years ago and became crazy popular or "viral" as some say. But its all about kindness and how the world could use more of it. He talks regrets in his life - not being things one would usually think of (to do with past humiliations, successes, etc) - but rather the opportunities he missed to be kind. Its really very beautiful and has just stuck with me. You can google the speech and read it online anywhere - its worth the few minutes it takes.
    Anyway, I gotta try this some time (once I get over my scone making fear - mine never turn out) coz I love orange and chocolate and these look beautiful.
    Happy weekend!

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    1. Pia, thanks for your comment! I haven't read that book, but it sounds great! I will have to check it out! And you should totally make these scones! They are quite a bit like biscuits, just sweeter and with chocolate :)

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  2. Such a great post! I'm currently working on my personal progress right now since I didn't get the chance to do it in high school and one of the value experiences I'm working on right now is to not be judgmental and critical and it's been amazing to see how even though you don't necessarily mean to have negatives thoughts about people they just kind of happen! I'm trying to be a lot more like Cinderella myself, and this post was another great reminder to just be a better person... and your scones look delicious ;)

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  3. The quote that really sticks with me about negative situations or somebody not treating me well has always been, "don't react, but choose to act in love." It's really given me a guide about how to respond when I want to be negative or not see the best in people. :) We're definitely imperfect people but when we choose to learn more about the character of Christ and His response to people and situations and imitate His character, I think the quote sums it up, "Christ didn't react but acted in love!"

    I wish I enjoyed scones while I'm pregnant, but during pregnancy, texture us a huge issue for me and i can't handle the texture of scones. :-/ Eat a few for me!

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    1. That is a lovely quote! Thanks for sharing! I am so sorry you struggle with texture when you are pregnant! Not fun at all (Congrats on the pregnancy, btw!!!)! I couldn't do grilled chicken for the longest time. Even thinking about it made me want to be sick!

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