Sunday, October 2, 2011

Flaky and Tender Chocolate Chip Scones & The Emerald Necklace Inn & Tea Room



Tonight I made Chocolate Chip Scones.  I never ate a scone before because sometimes in bakeries they looked too dry or like they have sitting there for awhile.  I guess many people don't eat scones.  The reason why I decided to make my own is because my daughter went to a Tea House with my mom, my sister, her cousin and her other aunt (my brother's wife) and her sister and her mom.  I didn't go that day because it was my hubby's birthday and didn't want to leave him by himself while I enjoyed the day.

My daughter in her Tea Time dress!  She's so beautiful!

My sister in law took lots of pictures and my daughter and my niece looked beautiful.  They dressed up in dresses and were ready to have a fancy day!  Here they are in their dresses....

My daughter Sofia and my niece Alyssa.

So I made this recipe for my daughter who said she loved the Chocolate Chip Scones and I wanted to make them for her.  She is such a wonderful daughter.  She is my little helper and works so hard in school and at gymnastics.  She is a great big sister to her little brother.  I hope she loves them as much I did making them.

Sofia and Alyssa at the Tea House.

Here is everyone at the Tea House.  Everyone said they had such a great time.  The little girls had Hot Chocolate.  They also managed to get extra spoiled by getting 2 Red Hat Teddy Bears.  Certainly it was a good day!

Here is Sofia and Alyssa with their Aunt, my sister in law Gina!
Such a pretty picture!

Everyone had a blast and I kind of wished I would of went.  They promised to go again and this time I am definitely going!  I am glad though that the little princesses had fun with the ladies.  Sofia and her cousin Alyssa  are like 2 peas in a pod even though they are 3 years apart.  You wouldn't be able to tell since they click so much!  The name of the Tea House was called Emerald Necklace Inn.

Here is Gina, her mom Cece, Sofia, Alyssa, my sister Tina (Alyssa's mom) and my mom.  Obviously it was a girl's day out!

Then at the end of the day they took a picture in the garden.
My mom, Sofia, Alyssa, my sister Tina and my sister in law's sister, Lisa.

So here is the recipe that I came out with doing a little research online and incorporating a little of this and that.  Everyone loved the scones.  In fact they ate them all!  They are so easy to make even though they are not something we eat everyday and can seem intimidating.  They were for me at least.  Then I made them and couldn't believe how easy and delicious they were.  I am still not sure if I will buy them from another place, because now that I know how easy they are, I am going to make all kinds at home!

These scones were so flaky and melt in your mouth.  Perfect to be served with coffee, tea or like the little girls, hot chocolate!  My hubby, daughter and my 2 year old son loved them.  I am surely the especially loved them since they were chocolate chips.  They weren't overly sweet but I am sure they are going to be fabulous with fruit instead of chocolate....or perhaps both!

I have taken pictures of the step by step process of the whole thing.  The full recipe is at the end.  I encourage you to make these, because if you never had a scone, these will definitely have you appreciate them!  YUM!

Sorry mom, I am going to have to make another batch since they ate them all!  I promise to bring you some!   

Flaky & Tender Chocolate Chips Scones:


In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. 


Place the cubed cold butter in the bowl and using a pastry cutter mix the  flour mixture and butter until it resembles fine crumbs. 



Above you can see that once the butter is cut in it looks like crumbly sand.

Stir in Chocolate Chips.


2 Tablespoons of Whipping Cream and 1 egg.


Egg and Whipping Cream Whisked.


Add in the Cream and Egg mixture into flour mixture and mix with a large spoon making sure not to over mix. Dough will be sticky.


*Place onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and shape into a circle about 1 inch thick.
*I refrigerated the dough covered in the refrigerator for about a half of an hour and then I brushed some egg wash and sprinkled sugar on top of scones before baking.


Cut into 8 triangles and arrange on cookie sheet.  I used a spatula to wedge them out of the circle and place them around.


Bake at 425 degrees F.  For about 12-16 minutes until golden.
Let them cool but are still warm to transfer onto a plate.


See all the flakiness?  Wow was it melt in your mouth!
Enjoy!

Flaky & Tender Chocolate Chip Scones:
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup butter, cold and cut into cubes
3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 egg
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.  Place the cubed cold butter in the bowl and using a pastry cutter incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs.  Stir in chocolate chips.

In another small bowl, whisk together the egg and the milk.  Add it to the flour mixture and use a large spoon to incorporate the mixture until it forms into a rough ball.  Don't overmix.
Lift onto a baking sheet and pat into a circle that is about 1 inch thick.  Do not over mix the dough.  Cut it into 8 wedges and separate them from one another.  I used a spatula to help me arrange the wedges.
Bake at 425 for approximately 16 minutes or until golden brown.  Best when served warm.
I hope you enjoy them and my whole family fell in love with them.  Like I said the plate has been finished as soon as I served them!If you are from the Cleveland area please visit Emerald Necklace Inn, it's also a Bed and Breakfast.  Hats are optional!  LOL!  Don't forget to check out their website.  If you can visit your local Tea Room in your area because everyone should experience it.


Enjoy!
Emerald Necklace Inn
Emerald Necklace Inn FaceBook Page:
Emerald Necklace Inn & Tea Room on Urbanspoon

 NightOwlCraftingA Glimpse Inside

As they say in England, CHEERS!
Annamaria

3 comments:

  1. Too bad you didn't get to enjoy such a great family day. Your scones do look very moist and tasty. With all those chips, this is definitely a treat our son would enjoy. Thank you for linking your recipe at Joy of Desserts. I look forward to more recipes from you.

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  2. I, too, had never had scones because I thought they looked dry...and I never made them because I thought it was hard. I was wrong! I've made cinnamon sugar and pumpkin scones, both with great success. Thanks for linking to Must Try Mondays.

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  3. Love scones -- these look really tasty.

    I appreciate you linking this up to Friday Favorite Finds, but keep in mind, our linky party is for recipes that we haven't yet tried but want to - an opportunity to link up a list of recipes that made your to-try list. Hope to see you next week!

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