Recipe Round-Up: Orange and Dark Chocolate Buttermilk Scones

Oh man.

Oh man oh man oh man.

I am in love with these scones. I made a batch on Friday and then I made another batch on Saturday. This could become a problem but I am choosing to look at it as a new hobby.

The wonderful thing about this recipe is that this dough can be used for different kinds of scones: cranberry and orange; almond, dark chocolate and cherry; plain; maple walnut; white chocolate and macadamia nut...you get the picture. But today we are going to focus on one of my favorite combinations: orange and dark chocolate. And it is super easy. I heart easy.

Let's do this, shall we?

Start with sifting your dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

Then zest up an orange. And then your house is going to smell AMAZING!!

Throw it in the bowl.

Next up: butter. Otherwise known as the one ingredient that makes every recipe better.

Use your hands to mix the cold butter into the dry ingredients. Work it together until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Next, grab some buttermilk and an egg yolk and whisk them together. Pour them into the crumb mixture and stir jus until combined but don't over mix!

Then then throw in your dark chocolate chips...or as I like to call them, "dinner." Mix until combined.

Plop the dough onto a lightly floured surface...

And roll out.

I was feeling a bit square but you can make them any shape you want. Put them on a greased cookie sheet and into the oven.

While they are baking, let's mix up some icing. I mean, why not, right?

Add a little powdered sugar and fresh orange juice...

Until you get the consistency you want. Oh yum.

Once the scones are ready, pull them out of the oven and slather them with icing. That's right, slather.

And inhale.

These are divine with a hot cup of coffee. Or tea, if that's your thing. I HIGHLY encourage you to make a batch or twelve.

Here's the recipe:

Orange and Dark Chocolate Buttermilk Scones
Adapted from Joy the Baker

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons orange zest
2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold buttermilk
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

ICING:
2/3 cup powdered sugar
Orange juice

Place rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, orange zest, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. I use my fingers to rub the butter and dry ingredients together. In another bowl, combine egg yolk and buttermilk and beat lightly with a fork. Add to flour mixture all at once, stirring enough to make a soft dough. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Turn out onto a floured board and knead about 10 times. Roll or pat out into a 1-inch thickness. Cut into 4 large or 6 small squares. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Slather on the icing.

Enjoy!!

P.S. Don't worry, you are not going blind. Blogger is having trouble with keeping the photos in focus. My apologies. I know a great optometrist if you need one.