Orange Chocolate Scones

My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: Orange Chocolate Scones

Baking has never been my strong suit. I'm more of a "throw-it-together-and-hope-for-the-best" kind of cook. My kitchen is usually a whirlwind of activity, more akin to a controlled chaos than a serene culinary haven. So, when I stumbled upon this recipe for Orange Chocolate Scones, I approached it with a healthy dose of skepticism. I mean, scones? Me? It seemed almost ambitious. But, something about the combination of orange and chocolate – two of my absolute favorite flavors – intrigued me. I decided to embark on this unexpected baking adventure, armed with my trusty whisk, a generous helping of patience (or what little I could muster), and a whole lot of hope.

The recipe itself seemed daunting at first, with a long list of ingredients and a process that felt more intricate than my usual culinary endeavors. The precision of measuring, the careful sifting of flours, the gentle folding – it was all a new experience. I’m usually a "dash of this, a pinch of that" kind of cook. But I slowly found myself drawn into the meticulous process. Each step felt like a small victory, building up my confidence as I went. The aroma that filled my kitchen as the scones baked was divine – a sweet, citrusy fragrance that made me even more excited to see the final result.

And the final result? Let's just say it exceeded all my expectations. The scones were perfectly golden brown, with a delicate crumbly texture. The burst of orange zest complemented the rich, dark chocolate perfectly, creating a flavor combination that was nothing short of magical. They were so good, in fact, that they disappeared almost as quickly as I could pull them out of the oven. My family absolutely loved them. Even my usually picky teenager couldn't stop eating them!

This experience has been a delightful surprise. It reminded me that stepping outside my culinary comfort zone can be incredibly rewarding. It’s more than just about making a delicious treat; it's about the journey, the process, the moments of unexpected triumph (and let's be honest, a few moments of near-disaster too). It’s about discovering that even someone like me, a self-proclaimed baking novice, can create something beautiful and delicious with a little patience and a whole lot of heart. It is also a great way to spend time with my family. Now, I'm already thinking about my next baking adventure. Maybe I'll try those croissants I've been eyeing... or maybe, just maybe, I'll make another batch of these amazing orange chocolate scones.

Tips and Tricks:

• Use good quality ingredients: The flavor of these scones truly shines when you use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The zest of a fresh orange makes a huge difference.
• Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough scones. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
• Chill the dough: Chilling the dough before baking helps prevent the scones from spreading too much in the oven.
• Use a cookie cutter: Using a cookie cutter ensures that your scones are evenly sized and baked. But a knife works just as well!
• Enjoy them fresh: These scones are best enjoyed on the day they are made, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days.

My kitchen may still be a bit chaotic, but now it’s a little bit sweeter, thanks to these irresistible orange chocolate scones. And that’s a victory all on its own.

Step-by-step

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
• Sift together the brown rice flour, tapioca flour, almond flour, arrowroot, baking powder, guar gum, and kosher salt. Whisk until mixture is uniform.
• Sprinkle butter and/or shortening over flour mixture and use your hands to cut the butter into the flour until a coarse meal has formed.
• Form a well in the middle of the dry ingredients.
• Lightly beat eggs and honey and pour into the well. Add the coconut milk, optional Orange Vitality Young Living Essential Oil, orange juice, and orange zest.
• Use a fork to mix the liquid ingredients together, then start to incorporate the liquid into the dry ingredients starting in the middle and working your way out.
• When the batter is nearly cohesive, fold in the carob or chocolate chips.
• Flour a sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper. Gather up the dough and move to your floured sheet.
• Lightly press the dough out until it's about 2-inches thick.
• Use a floured cookie cutter to cut 6 - 7 heart-shaped scones.
• Use a floured spatula to move the scones to the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with palm sugar.
• Bake for 15 minutes until scones are golden brown.
• Cool on a baking rack. These scones are best the day they are made. Wrap and freeze any leftovers for a delicious, gluten-free bread pudding.