Sweet Melissa Sundays – Orange Scented Scones (with Chocolate Chips)
When I saw this week’s Sweet Melissa Sundays pick (chosen by Robin of Lady Craddock’s Bakery) I was super psyched because I was going to get to bake something I had never made and it would be orange flavored (one of my favorites). I started early this morning to gather all of my ingredients and after combining them, could not wait to see what came out of the oven. When I took my first bite, my husband braced himself, as he normally does in the hopes that I am pleased with whatever I bake. To his dismay (and mine) I was a bit disappointed. The scones were dry, too crumbly and a bit bland.
I didn’t let them get the best of me though, and quickly got myself together to make a few adjustments and give them another try. First, instead of putting the dough together in the food processor, I made them by hand, as I was convinced that I had processed the butter in the dough too much. As Melissa Murphy stated in the recipe, the cold butter should have been processed to the size of large peas. In my first attempt, my butter bits were much smaller than that. Secondly, I took a risk and doubled the amount of sugar and orange zest the recipe called for. Lastly, I was a bit more liberal in my glaze of heavy cream and sugar. I also decided to have a little fun with these and added some chocolate chips to the dough.
I am pleased to say that what resulted after these changes was a fantastic scone. My husband demolished two of them shortly after they came out of the oven. They had just the right amount of sweetness, had crisp edges, were chewy on the inside and the orange flavor was perfectly luscious. I will totally be making these again. This is proof that you should never give up on a recipe just because it didn’t work out the first time. And just because a recipe is printed and published, it’s not set in stone.
Thanks Robin for selecting such a great treat for us to make. Check out her blog for the recipe of get yourself a copy of The Sweet Melissa Baking Book.
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Nina — September 21, 2009 @ 2:41 am
your changes to the scones sounds beautiful!
The Bahens — September 21, 2009 @ 6:14 am
I'm so glad you finally got a result you liked with these! I ate a glaze-less corner that had broken off one of mine, and it just tasted like a biscuit! But the glazed parts…MMMM!
Paris Pastry — September 21, 2009 @ 6:50 am
Glad the changes worked out! I am incredibly fond of scones, love them!
Rosy — September 21, 2009 @ 8:21 am
Ooo, those look yummy! I'm glad that the final version were so good – when I attempt these again I'm definitely going to be making those adjustments. What isn't improved by a handful of chocolate chips??! x
Emily — September 21, 2009 @ 9:36 am
Your scones sound better to me! I love the chocolate chips you put in them. Mmmm chocolate & orange.
Mrs. G — September 21, 2009 @ 11:13 am
I'm glad you liked them the second time around. Your changes sound really good.
Jeannette — September 21, 2009 @ 12:56 pm
glad that your scones came out great the second time around
Katiecakes — September 21, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
I made mine by hand too, scones should be loved not attacked in a processor
They look wonderful, I added chocolate too. Great minds think alike!Katie xox
Flourchild — September 21, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
I thought I commented yesterday, but I guess not:) Im so glad you liked these scones and Im very impressed you made them twice. I usually don't have that kind of patiance, I just chuck it in the trash and move on to the next recipe! I like the chocolate addition too. Chocolate and orange mix well together!
k.a.r.e.n — September 21, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
Glad you took another chance and tried again.I felt exactly the same way you did the first time you made them. Maybe i'll try it again exactly like you did your 2nd time around.
Fit Chick — September 22, 2009 @ 12:23 am
Thanks for baking along with me this week. Glad you gave them a second chance and I love your additions!
Megan — September 22, 2009 @ 2:02 am
I'm so happy you tried again and made changes. Scones can be amazing or blah, depending how they come out. I love the orange chocolate combo, so I'm sure your second version was delicious!
Barbara GF — September 22, 2009 @ 3:56 am
Scones are a wonderful comfort food and the combination of orange and chocolate takes this recipe over the top, Eliana. Good for you for getting back in there and making those changes. They must have been delicious.
Shandy — September 22, 2009 @ 5:07 am
I am so happy you gave the recipe another try and altered to fit your own tastes. I love when we make a recipe our own by being brave, making slight changes and hoping the result will be a great one. Your scones look delicious!
5 Star Foodie — September 22, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
Mmm… orange flavor & with chocolate chips – these scones sound fantastic!
biz319 — September 22, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
To make the best scones, I grate my butter while frozen, then put it back in the freezer grated, and only pulse until incorporated – the heat of your hands may have melted to butter!They look good though!
burpandslurp — September 23, 2009 @ 5:15 am
I want to be your husband. I'll be demolishing 2 of those babies fresh out of the oven, too! wow!
Tracey — September 23, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
So glad to hear you tried them a second time! I would definitely add more sugar if I made them again too. They look awesome and I bet they were tasty with chocolate chips!
Hanaâ — September 23, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
I'm glad you persevered, Eliana. Sounds like it was time well spent. I thought they were pretty tasty too. I'm a big fan of orange-flavored goodies too
)
Spike — September 24, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
LOVE your chocolate addition! Glad it worked out in the end
Sarah — September 26, 2009 @ 12:21 am
Your scones look lovely, I'm so glad you gave them a second chance! I made these by hand, too, definitely my preferred method. I thought these were delicious, and I will definitely be making them again as well!
Peabody — September 27, 2009 @ 12:15 am
I've never made the scones from that book…now I need to. They look great.
Jackie — September 27, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
Hi ElianaHow much chocolate chips did you add to the batter.
Teanna DiMicco — September 29, 2009 @ 3:37 am
Yay! I am so glad they ended up working out for you! I am newly obsessed with orange and chocolate, so these sound SO good!
Eliana — October 3, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
Jackie – I don't have a way of contacting you so I hope you read this comment. The amount of chocolate chips is up to your liking. I added 3/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter.