RECIPE | CHAI SPICED PEAR SCONES

Do you love chai lattes and scones as much as I do? Then you are going to love me today. I have not posted a recipe since last spring! I like to think this one was worth the wait.

Last week I was invited to a special event for the launch of a new tea by Lov Organic. They invited bloggers to the botabota spa and we had a meet and greet to get pampered a little and try their new teas. The chai latte they served to highlight their newest tea, lovely night (which has natural pear flavour in it) was delicious and they shared the recipe with us. When I saw they used pears to make the latte, I was inspired to make this scone recipe I stumbled upon.

I am a BIG fan of scones. The last (and first) time I made scones, they just didn’t knock my socks off. So I went into making this recipe half expecting to be disappointed and leave the scone baking to the professionals for good. HOWEVER! Let me tell you, it took a lot of control to stop myself from eating them all before I could snap the photos.Pears are in season right now and I picked up a basket of organic pears to make these moist scones. I had grand illusions of having my own bakery where I sold scones all day long to adoring customers…. and I’d also sing songs while I waited for my scones to bake. Because this is MY daydream.

Continue reading for the recipe and more pictures …

CHAI PEAR SCONES

Yields 6 large scones

2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (55 grams) granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (85 grams) butter, cut into small pieces
3 large ripe pears, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender or your hands until mixture resembles coarse sand. Stir in pear chunks. Set aside.

In a small bowl, beat together egg, vanilla, and heavy cream. Pour over the scone batter and lightly mix until the dough comes together. The dough will be sticky.

Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface, form a circle, and flatten it until it is about 1-inch thick. Using a sharp knife dipped in flour, cut 8 equal pie wedges (the dough will be slightly unmanageable, but not adding additional flour results in tender scones). Transfer scones to a baking sheet using a flat spatula and sprinkle the tops of the scones with a little granulated sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned.

* If you want them a little browner and crispy on top, put them under the broiler for a few minutes – just keep an eye on them!

Serve warm or at room temperature.

(recipe from Pastry Affair)