One of the changes we are making as we move towards adoption and perhaps country living, is the idea of living in a firm budget. This is something we have struggled with our entire marriage for a lot of reasons. After 14 years I think maybe we have finally learned by trial, error, fire, some good therapy and some more trial what works best for us: Cash Budgeting. This means we have set limits on things like groceries, eating out and what we call “fun money.” The result is we have been eating more at home and less on the-go. Sweet Man and I have divided and conquered the cooking responsibilities and they go like this: I do breakfast, he’s on lunches, we share dinners.
Breakfast is always a bit of a challenge; we don’t eat a lot of cereal because the amount of milk and dry cereal it takes to fill up the tummy’s of growing boys is ridiculous and expensive, oatmeal and pb & j sandwiches they like but get tired of. Sunday’s have traditionally been a buy-it-on-the-go breakfast morning, but with the new budgeting that’s out. I have been trying to ease the pain of no more McDonalds Deluxe Breakfast’s by finding fun new recipes to serve as a peace offering.
Yesterday morning as I was wracking my brain trying to decide what I could make with what I had on hand before church, I remembered my friend Alison’s yummy scones and broke out this cookbook. This book which was published by members of one of our favorite local churches and includes recipes from some of our best pals and foodies including Alison. I know I can always find something my whole family will love between it’s covers.
I am also partial to this cookbook because the photo’s were all taken by the fabulous Whitney Loibner, who back in the good ole days was my design assistant. Now she has her own amazing photography business and takes the very best food pictures ever.
Alison is partial to whole wheat but we have not made the switch yet, so I did some tweaking to her recipe.
These scones turned out so light and fluffy on the inside, yet perfectly crispy and buttery on the outside. I really could not believe how delicious they were – though Alison has never steered me wrong yet.
. If you want to see Alison’s original recipe you can find here on her blog .For my slightly different version keep reading…
Blueberry and Lemon Cream Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons sugar, divided in half
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup fresh blueberries
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1/2 of 1 lemon
In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Mix well. Cut in butter with pastry cutter or two knives. Add cream, vanilla and eggs. Stir just until mixed. Add berries, lemon zest and lemon juice, mix again just enough fold everything in. Pat into two 6 inch circles and cut into sixths, or hand shape individual half-dollar size lumps into triangles on baking sheet. Brush each scone with water and sprinkle with remaining sugar. (Or if making the night before, roll dough into a cylindrical log inside of parchment paper and wrap in plastic. Then slice about half inch circles.) Bake scones on parchment lined half sheet pan for 14 minutes at 375 degrees.
Makes about 12 scones.
Serve with a pat of butter or plain. They are best right out of the oven, but keep well in an airtight container.
Oh, and no one said a word about going to McDonald’s. Score 1 for Momma!
Oh, and no one said a word about going to McDonald’s. Score 1 for Momma!
Beautiful pics! Love that cookbook! My kids don't like straight whole wheat, so I buy a thing of whole wheat and one of unbleached white and mix it. (If I'm making a cake I'll use the unbleached though.) They don't seem to notice.
My mouth is already drooling from anticipation of just the thought of creating these. I'd say score 2 or more for Momma! <3
I need to try and make these. The scones from the coffee shop are so sweet and don't have the texture of what I consider “real” scones! I'm so picky, LOL! I am coveting your heart tablecloth. Don't suppose you found it at a chain store that may be in Michigan as well as Arkansas?? LOL.
Wanted to suggest that you make your own egg mcmuffins at home. I use a ramekin dish to make them in the microwave. My kids love them if I put a piece of cooked salami on them too! YUMMO…and inexpensive. Cash budgeting rules. I am always able to save that way.
Good luck!