Happy Trainer Tuesday all..

I am sick, laid up on the couch, which is SO not fun and that is why I apologize for the short post today. But I didn’t want to miss a Tuesday post! I had to share this excellent recipe I found online and made this past weekend for my friends at a brunch event we hosted. I did modify a couple items..I used dried apricots not fresh due to the season, added a touch of vanilla extract, and regular margarine- not vegan. This recipe also makes a lot more than 12 mini scones because I got a good 18 or so..depends on the size and cut. This is a good for you treat, EASY to make too- ENJOY!!

Apricot Scones

By jacqueline | Published: June 18, 2009

i don’t understand why it’s considered normal to eat super sweet food first thing in the morning.  if i wake up and eat a blueberry muffin my blood sugar will be bouncing up and down all day, let alone pancakes or waffles stacked high and drizzled in syrup.  that’s why i usually look to the not-so-sweet to satisfy my early morning hunger – a slice of whole grain toast, porridge or a scone.

this simple recipe is hard to screw up.  if you’re feeling creative throw in flavors like vanilla, cinnamon or lemon zest, and feel free to replace the apricots with another fruit or leave them out completely.  i added them because i love their fresh tart taste and they are so cheap at the market right now, as low as $1 a pound!

 apricot scones
1 c unbleached flour
1 c whole wheat flour (plus some for the outside)
1/4 c turbinado sugar (plus some for sprinkling on top)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c vegan margarine
1/2 c soy milk
1 tbsp white or rice vinegar
1/4 c ice cold water
1 1/2 c diced apricots

add the vinegar to the soy milk and set aside to thicken.  dice the apricots and make sure you have the full 1 and 1/2 cups, then set aside.

sift together the flours and baking powder, mix in the sugar and salt, then cut in the margarine.  if you don’t have a hand pastry blender which is made just for this, then use a strong fork and it will work the same.  work until there are little clumps, those are perfect because if they stay cold until they get in the oven, they will melt into flakey little pockets.

add in the soy milk concoction, then ice water and mix quickly yet gently until there there are no large dry patches, but little clumps are fine.  you want to work the dough as little as possible, to keep the scones soft.  over stirring will work the gluten in the flour into sticky strands and break up those nice little margarine clumps.  then add in the diced apricots and loosely incorporate, it’s okay if they aren’t completely mixed in.

sprinkle additional whole wheat flour over the top and on a clean dry surface, pat the dough into a loose ball and turn onto the floured surface – like a cutting board.  the dough should be soft and moist inside, held loosely together by the thin layer of flour on the outside.  for bigger scones, you can cut this ball of dough into six equal wedges and bake.  but i prefer a smaller, more manageable scone, so i halve it, pat each piece into a little circle and divide it into six wedges.

handle those wedges very gently when transferring to a baking pan covered in parchment paper, so they maintain that wedge shape scones are known for.  then sprinkle with more turbinado sugar if you’d like.

bake for 20-25 minutes at 400F.  enjoy immediately or keep dry in a sealed container for later use.  they also freeze well!

yields 12 mini scones or 6 large ones

Comment below if you add or adjust this recipe..next i might do cranberries and almonds with this scone base.