On my first day of my 12 days of Homemade Christmas I am bringing you Vanilla Bean Scones.
My kid’s love these scones or stones as they sometime’s jokingly call them. Don’t worry though they are not hard as stones, they are nice and fluffy. They are perfect! These scones have some serious vanilla flavor going on too. I first use vanilla greek yogurt and then I use vanilla bean paste. I love vanilla bean paste and I use it in place of vanilla extract whenever I can. I feel it gives better flavor and you get all those beautiful flecks of vanilla bean without having to scrape a vanilla bean. If you have never tried it I highly suggest it! It is a great option for all of your vanilla bean needs.
So why scones for Christmas? Well, why not? I think scones are perfect for not only a sweet breakfast but they are the perfect snack. I love to pair mine up with a cup of hot tea, it is simply perfection! You still want another reason? When many others think of a scone they think of a fancy, labor intensive sweet treat. Surprise though, they are very easy to make. You make your dough, form it into a circle on a floured service and then cut into wedges (using a pizza cutter makes this part a snap!), bake and then glaze. See I told you it was easy. Wrap them up and give them to your friends for a present (hey maybe with a tea bag holder attached to round out your gift) and voila, a homemade gift that your friends will love!
What type of homemade gifts do you make your friends and family for Christmas?
Check out my 12 Days of Homemade Christmas for other great ideas!
- 2 cup all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter (cut into pieces)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- 1 egg
- 1 cup vanilla greek yogurt
- ⅛ cup heavy cream
- glaze (optional)
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 6 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- ***To make gluten free use 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum in the place of all purpose flour.***
- Preheat oven to 375.
- In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Cut in butter and using a pastry blender combine until the mixture looks it looks like a crumbly mix/coarse meal.
- In another bowl beat egg and combine with vanilla and yogurt.
- Add egg, vanilla and yogurt to the coarse meal mixture and combine until dough is formed.
- Dump dough on a floured surface and roll out into a 1 inch thick circle.
- Cut dough into triangles and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. A pizza cutter works well for this.
- Brush heavy cream on tops of scones and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- For optional glaze in a bowl whisk together 1 cup of confectioners sugar and 6 tablespoons of heavy cream and ¼ teaspoon vanilla until a smooth. While scones are still warm dip in the glaze.