Sunday, January 8, 2012

Squashy White Chocolate Scones


I'll tell you a secret.  I love to bake (that's not the secret).  I have always been mortified to try baking anything without a recipe (that is the secret...sorry its not juicier).  It has been said that Baking is a Science, and I suck at science, so I have always stuck to the good old tried and trues.  Until I got brave over the holidays.



These scones were born from a leftover baked squash I had sitting in my fridge.  I couldn't bear to throw it out, because it was so beautiful.  And because the meal I used most of it in was mediocre, at best.  This squash deserved to star in something yummy and delightful.


I used my blueberry scone recipe as a base.  So, while I cannot wholly own this recipe as mine, it is a big step for me to stray at all.  I experimented to come up with the perfect mix of flour, squash, spices and chocolate for these scones.  I've made the scones with both squash  and pumpkin puree and they were equally delicious. 

The scones turned out moist and light and fluffy, which was delightful as scones are often exactly the opposite.  I may just bake extra squash from now on as an excuse to make these scones. 


Squashy White Chocolate Scones

1 3/4 cups (245 grams) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp buttermilk
1/2 cup(120 grams)  squash puree
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling


Preheat oven to 425.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. You can use a pastry cutter for this or use two knives and cut into the butter using a cross-way motion until crumbly.

In another bowl, combine the egg yolk, buttermilk and squash puree and gently beat. Add to the flour mixture all at once. Work quickly and use a wooden spoon or your hands to work the mixture into a soft dough. Gently knead in white chocolate chips.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a disc shape about 3/4" thick. Sprinkle turbinado sugar on the top and then use a butter knife or pizza cutter to cut into 6 wedges.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown on top and...

Eat it!!

31 comments:

  1. I love this idea! Plus, adding vegetables to scones is such a great way to add more of the good stuff to your day. Love this :)

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  2. Maggie, you always have such a genius ideas! I love recipes that you can make with leftovers. Besides, your scones have white chocolate, so I am instantly in! Hugs!

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  3. Maggie, I saw your post on my blog. I will be following yours too. You have great recipes.

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  4. Oh my gosh, I am so with you. It scares the crap out of me to bake without recipes! Cooking is a breeze, but baking is so precise and easy to mess up. These scones sound delicious, so clearly, you've succeeded. Congrats!

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  5. Yummy!! Definitely a great idea - looks awesome! :)

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  6. What a cool idea and they look wonderful. Love the white chocolate.

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  7. There is such a thing as moist scones? Because I always love how tasty scones look, and then I stop after the first bite because they're just too dry for me. I'd love if this were the solution! White chocolate looks delicious!

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    1. Kiri, you would definitely like these...they are very moist and fluffy. Give scones a second chance with this one. :-) I do think that its the moisture of the squash that lends to the moistness because I've experienced this with pumpkin cookies too.

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  8. This looks really good. I don't know why, but I am always afraid of squash but it is really so tasty and I often have stare down contests with it at the market. I will have to pick one up this weekend and give this recipe a try! :)

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  9. This is certainly your own recipe! Congrats. They look delicious. Never thought of squash with white chocolate before.

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  10. Your experiment paid off! Love the idea of having the healthy veggie as a base for the scone.

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  11. I love the addition of squash, what a great idea! so healthy!

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  12. Great idea! That pretty squash was totally begging to be sconed :)

    Buzzed!

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  13. Wonderfully generous of you to ensure that squash received it's due! And a great idea to use it in scones with the white chocolate. Sounds like a perfect stage for the squash to star in!

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  14. Awesome idea to throw in some squash! I hate throwing away food, especially when it's something as gorgeous as that squash. You came yup with a brilliant recipe, even if you followed your blueberry scone recipe as a base, you definitely made it your own and that's all that counts! Beautiful job :)

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  15. That's why I'm not a great baker...I suck at science too! But these scones look great! I usually don't like scones because they can be like sandpaper, but I would totally go for one of these.

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  16. Yummy scones. Thanks so much for this recipe. I saved it already for a future reference.

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  17. You know I love squash in ANYTHING. Love that you worled it into scones. Squash for breakfast!

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  18. Glad you are now brave enough to experiment so you can bring us this tasty recipe. Love the blend of squash and white chocolate-yum!

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  19. A squash.. great mind.. great idea.. i like this one.. so experimenting.. can't wait to eat your recipe..

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  20. Hehe I love this name! I have to come over and check out what "squashy" was! They look really good!

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  21. YUM! I love this idea...and the white chocolate chips are a perfect complement to the squash!

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  22. Yum!! This look so good!

    The combination of white chocolate and squash would be just perfect!

    Good on your for adjusting the recipe and making something so fantastic :)

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  23. Love this idea, Maggie! I have never had a scone like this, but it looks wonderful!

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  24. Bravo for stepping out of your comfort zone - these look absolutely incredible!

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  25. Hi! I just found your blog and I loved it! I am a happy follower now!
    Visit me at: my-greek-cooking.blogspot.com

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  26. Is nom nom nom an acceptable comment? How about wowsers? This looks really good.

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  27. I never thought to put squash in scones. These must be amazing!!

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  28. These look delicious! I love your idea of adding white chocolate with the squash... sounds yummy!
    Thanks for the FB friend request :)

    PS Your daughter is adorable!

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