After a little over a year of writing here on ‘Baking and Books,’ I feel it’s time to tell you something you probably don’t know about me - a confession of sorts: I love the holidays. Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, New Year’s Eve. I know some folks are driven batty by the holiday music and bright lights all over the city, but few things fill me with nostalgic glee like walking down the street on a crisp evening surrounded by sights that bring happy memories to mind. The cool winter air reminds me of my mother, who’s a Californian girl that still lives in California and thinks temperatures below 50 degrees are an uncommon delight. And then there are the themed window displays, like the Lord & Taylor display I pass on my way to Grand Central after work. These remind me of those childhood holiday evenings, when my father, mother, brother and I enjoyed good company, good movies, and good old-fashioned mulled apple cider. (Mulled cider recipe below - bonus!)
Ah yes, those were the days - and I purposefully bring hints of them into my life by watching holiday movies, singing holiday songs and baking like crazy in the kitchen. I have already recorded and watched (at least twice) the movies “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Story” and the classic animated version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This evening I serenaded Oreo with a rousing rendition of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” hoping that she would howl like one of those cool movie dogs. But alas she just wagged her tail furiously and spun around in circles until she fell over, giddy with excitement. In the baking realm, well, over the past couple weeks I’ve been honing my skills for the approaching family visit - making favorite recipes, experimenting with new ones, and trying to answer the question: “What should I bake for everyone?” Questions like this become incredibly complex when you live in Connecticut and write a food blog about scrumptious treats your California-based family has yet to taste. I want to bake them everything, everything I tell you! But clearly that’s impossible, and even if it were possible I don’t think such a show of bottled up baking affection would be right unless it came with a gym membership. Don’t you agree? Thus far I’ve compiled a list of approximately 5 10 15 recipes that may make an appearance in my mother’s kitchen and the scones you see pictured throughout this post are certainly in the running. I mean just look at that texture, at all the berry hued colors, and if only you could taste their buttery-sweet flavor! Truly delightful. Even friends who didn’t know what scones were (”Are these oddly shaped muffin tops?” they asked) were immediately addicted to them. My dad would love them… but the question is, would he like the carrot cake scones better? Will dilemmas never cease?
Both the blueberry-raspberry and the carrot cake scones come from “A Passion for Baking,” by Marcy Goldman, one copy of which I offered to give away in my last post. Many of you entered this contest by guessing what was displayed on a baking tray in the background of my photo, and several of you guessed correctly that the mystery baked goodies were scones. Yet, as they say in “The Highlander,” “there can be only one” - and this time the random number generator hath decreed that Lucy (#60) shall be the recipient of a “A Passion for Baking.” Congratulations Lucy! And to everyone else, stay tuned because there are more books to be given away between now and January 1st. 
And now I’m off to search the television listings for claymation holiday classics. Wish me luck!
Blueberry-Raspberry Honey-Butter Glazed Scones
Reprinted with permission from A Passion for Baking, by Marcy Goldman.
Ingredients:
For the scones:
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup, approximately, whipping cream (I used about 1 1/2 cups)
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup frozen blackberries or raspberries
For the glaze:
Brushing these scones with a syrup of butter and honey as soon as they come out of the oven, and then again about 15 minutes later, prolongs their freshness in a very sweet way. The scones stay wonderfully moist and flavorful for a good four days. This is a trick you can use on any sweet scone.
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Put lemon juice in a 1-cup measuring cup, pour in whipping cream to 1-cup mark, and let stand a few minutes to make soured cream.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Stack two baking sheets together and line top sheet with parchment paper. Arrange oven rack to upper third position.
In a food processor, add flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, and blend briefly. Add butter and pulse to make a coarse, grainy mixture. Turn out mixture into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add egg, vanilla, and enough soured cream to make a soft but firm dough. Gently fold in berries. (And make sure they are 100% frozen as slightly thawed berries will burst and make quite a mess.)
Knead briefly on a lightly floured work surface, adding more flour, if required, to make a firm dough. Pat out to 1-inch thickness. Cut into wedges or rounds and place on prepared baking sheets. Brush each scone with milk or melted butter. Bake until scones are nicely browned, about 16 to 19 minutes.
Meanwhile, for Glaze, heat honey and butter in a liquid measuring cup in a microwave until mixture is just simmering, about 1 1/2 minutes at HIGH, stirring after 45 seconds.
Brush scones lightly with honey-butter glaze as they come out of the oven. Let stand on baking sheets. Repeat with more honey-butter glaze, more generously, about 15 minutes later.
“A Passion for Baking” is the latest book from master baker Marcy Goldman and is a treat in every sense of the word. With a tempting collection of over 200 recipes that range from muffins & cookies to pizza & savory breads, I had a hard time knowing where to start. Should I begin with the Toronto Blueberry Buns or the Vanilla-Apple-Cranberry Muffins? The French Country Bread or the Cinnamon Toast Bread? As with her previous books, Marcy’s instructions are conversational and easy to follow, with helpful kitchen tips written in the sidebar. In addition to learning how to make some truly scrumptious treats you’ll also learn, for instance, about different methods of making rye bread, what baker’s caramel is, and when to slash your dough for a perfect loaf of bread. Chapters are prefaced by useful explanatory sections, which explain things like the various methods of cooking pizza (oven, pizza oven, cast-iron skillet, pizza pans) or how to bake muffins that truly puff. Most recipes are accompanied by eye-catching photos, which is always a plus, but what really sold me on this book was the inclusion of unique, creative recipes such as Hot Buttered Popcorn Bread, Sticky Cashmere Muffins and Cinn-a-Bun Cheesecake. I own many, many baking books so I appreciate it when authors make an effort to surpass the ye baking standbys by creating recipes that make you think, “Hmmm, I wonder what that tastes like? Let’s find out!”
Chapters include: An introduction; Baking Secrets; Loaves, Large & Small; Rolls, Baby Breads & Buns; Pizza & Other Flatbreads; Scones & Biscuits; The Muffin Shoppe; The Cookie Jar; The Biscotti Bakery; Bars & Squares; Quick Breads & Coffee Cakes; Pies, Tarts & Pastries; Sweet Yeast Baking; Cake Creations; Say Cheesecake; Holiday Baking; Grainy Goodness; and Baker in a Hurry.
Mulled Apple Cider (My Recipe)
Ingredients: Serves 2-3
- 4 cups apple cider
- About 2 tablespoons of orange juice
- About 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 whole allspice berries
- A generous pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (8-9 grates on the microplane grater, we like nutmeg)
- Pinch of salt
Mix all the ingredients in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, strain using a strainer or cheesecloth, then discard the solids. Ladle into mugs and enjoy! Garnish with additional cinnamon sticks if desired.
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This entry was posted on Friday, November 30th, 2007 by Ariela and is filed under Books, Breads, Breakfast, Drinks, My Recipes, Quick Breads. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
39 Comments.
1. Kat | December 1st, 2007 at 2:40 am
I heart scones! this one sound divine!
2. nik | December 1st, 2007 at 4:25 am
Looks delicious, as always. I wish I was there to share and help narrow down your list of baked goods to send. I could be your official taste tester!
3. Lydia | December 1st, 2007 at 7:28 am
These scones have some of everything, sweet and tart. Delicious! And your photo is mouthwatering!
4. Lucy | December 1st, 2007 at 9:14 am
I’m so excited for my new book!
And those scones look fab-o. yum yum.
5. Erin | December 1st, 2007 at 9:46 am
These scones look really good! Don’t worry, I can’t get enough of the holidays either. There are obviously enough of us out there that adore the holiday spirit, because marketers and advertisers keep making it bigger every year!
6. Ellie | December 1st, 2007 at 11:34 am
I have blueberries. I have raspberries. I think this is a sign! Haven’t made scones in awhile, this might need to be rectified tomorrow!
7. Emily | December 1st, 2007 at 11:59 am
I *love* scones. They’re a Christmas morning tradition at my parent’s house and these look like a great candidate. But I’m curious about the carrot cake ones you mentioned…have you posted the recipe? Those sound phenomenal and really unusual…
8. Susan from Food Blogga | December 1st, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I was excited when I read the name of the recipe. Then I saw the photo and WOW! I’m just about to eat breakfast if you’d like to share.
9. RuthL | December 1st, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Hi Ari,
Love the post, I think your family will LOVE the scones. They look absolutely fabulous.
I too love the Holiday season and really enjoy visiting the Holiday light displays whether in the park or window displays. It’s a very magical time of year.
Congratulations to the winner of the book giveaway.!
10. Merav | December 1st, 2007 at 2:16 pm
I also LOVE the holidays! It’s such a cheery time. I get so excited seeing the window displays and lights and especially remembering that I get to enjoy without having to shop for Christmas presents. Yippee!
Like you, I’m making a list of things I want to bake when I go home on my college break! I can’t decide what to make for everyone.
11. Valerie | December 1st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I have never in my life seen scones that fluffy. I want to try the recipe and see for myself, but I am not a fan of blueberries nor cranberries, and both my roommates just declared a week ago that they are on a diet.
I wonder if blackberries would make a good substitute?
12. Jerry | December 1st, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I can completely relate to your love of the Holidays. I’ve been playing Christmas music for the past month (While my wife is at work), and from Thanksgiving day right up until the very end of December 25th, the music plays nonstop. The tree goes up on the day after Thanksgiving and is decorated a few days later. (7 1/2 feet of artificial tree needs to settle a bit before you can load it up, just like the real kind does!)
Around here the baking commences tomorrow.
Happy Holidays!
13. Rosa | December 1st, 2007 at 8:02 pm
I love this period of the year and always look forwards to feeling the magic that’s in the air!
Your scones look exquisite! Very beautiful!
Cheers,
Rosa
14. Claire | December 1st, 2007 at 10:37 pm
What a wonderful combination of berries! LOVE!
15. Traca | December 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 am
Your scones look delish!
Here’s a link to my favorite scone…they have the most incredible crumb. Who knew lemon and candied ginger could be so good together? Mmmm….
http://www.joyofbaking.com/SconesLemonGinger.html
Cheers!
16. Cindy | December 2nd, 2007 at 2:24 am
I love this recipe!
Scones always tastes so good with tea,
It’s like my all time energy boost!
17. Paz | December 2nd, 2007 at 10:07 am
Your scones look scrumptious and I like the idea of the mulled apple cider. Yum! Definitely puts me in the holiday mood.
Paz
18. Monika Korngut | December 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
What a beautifully written post, transcribing your love for the holidays. These scones do look incredible. I might just make them too
19. Dana | December 2nd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Oooh, I especially like the honey glaze on these. I love the holidays too! Especially the baking part :). I currently have a batch of holiday cookies in the oven!
20. Johnny | December 2nd, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I love those movies! Especially Home Alone and Home Alone 2.
I too share a deep love for the sport of Paintball!
21. Christina | December 2nd, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Beautiful! These are just lovely and make me long for berry season to come around again–I wish I had put some berries in the freezer this summer. Darnit!
Happy belated birthday!
22. Teya | December 3rd, 2007 at 11:36 am
mmm DH loves honey and blueberries This sounds like the perfect treat for our day off breakfast this week
Thanks Ariele and Marcy
PS I have Elf on Tivo and we always watch Christmas Story. At work we play Christmas music all day and while it drives some people bonkers I walk around singing. It keeps me in a good mood all day especially when Elvis or David Bowie comes on
23. Julie O'Hara | December 3rd, 2007 at 11:52 am
I love finding new scone recipes. The glaze is a great idea that I haven’t seen before. I might try it out on the pumpkin scones I’ve been wanting to bake soon.
Julie
24. Astra Libris | December 3rd, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Ohhhh, heavens, I adore scones - is there anything more comforting than a cup of tea and a scone? These scones look and sound divine!
I’m a new blogger by the way - Hi! I’m so glad someone else understands the holiday baking obsession…
25. Kelly-Jane | December 3rd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I love scones, they are quite a Scottish thing….it’s wonderful the great additions that USers especially add to them. Marcy’s cheese scones from her first book are amazing - I’ll have to try these too. Have the new book - now must get the time to read it
Your buns in the previous post are so fabulous too, I’d ask you to make them for us if you lived anywhere near us!
KJxx
26. Cynthia | December 3rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Good luck
27. Stephanie | December 4th, 2007 at 2:28 am
Oh how I love the holidays too… in Australia, December holidays mean sun, the beach, and weeks off work… we’re about to do what you do in July/August…. counting down!
And maybe a Christmas Day barbecue!
28. Joan | December 4th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Thank you for visiting my blog, and your interest in keeping deployed soldiers in touch with “home”. This U.S. Army web site offers some suggestions for organizations that run “adoption” programs for soldiers in all divisions of the armed forces: http://www.army.mil/howyoucanhelp/ (Scroll down to the sections labeled “Letters/Messages” and “Send Packages.”) If you aren’t able to “adopt” a soldier for an extended time period, they also suggest other ways to help out on a one-time or occasional basis.
I haven’t worked directly with any of these sites since I already had direct connections to soldiers, but I would think if the Army is linking to them, they’re beneficial and trustworthy.
On a completely different topic - those scones look absolutely fabulous. And I’ll definitely have to try the mulled cider recipe. I totally understand the urge to bake EVERYTHING. I just wish I had the time!
29. Valerie | December 5th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Mmmm speaking of scones, is there any way you could post your recipe for Chai? You mentioned it in the post about chai ice cream, but that only got me craving chai even more!
30. Anali | December 5th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Those scones look delicious and I love claymation shows too! ; )
31. Helen | December 6th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Ari! Thank you so much for posting the mulled cider recipe!! I am going to try this asap. In fact, I may even pick up some ingredients on the way home….
I also just realised what it is that I love so much about your blog - It’s like someone giving you a big hug!
Helen x
32. Tarie | December 7th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Ari, I love the holidays too. Happy Holidays!
33. Cordelia | December 7th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
I made the scones this morning Ari and they were so YUMMY!! I love berries. I used blueberries and blackberries.
34. Cordelia | December 7th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Oh and I have a question - do you think i could make these scones with frozen strawberries?
35. Tartelette | December 7th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Indeed, they look wonderful! I just found my Christmas voice today while looking at ornaments in a store. Holiday music was on and I started humming and feeling like a kid again. I got home and said “I am happy”. That overwhelming feeling of joy and happiness for all the great things and people in my life. Now, that’s a holiday!
36. Passionate Eater | December 8th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
This post warmed my heart, I love holiday movies (especially claymation classics) and receiving baked presents!
I thought you’d like to know, but this morning on NPR, they listed off many unknown facts about Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. Did you know the original Rudolph figure used in the movie was found recently as a part of a candy dish? It has since been restored and is now on public display.
37. rachael | December 11th, 2007 at 12:15 am
I just found your blog totally by accident thru the flickr “foodporn” group. i’m loving these recipes!! you’re totally inspiring me to get into the kitchen.
38. Kristen | December 11th, 2007 at 1:15 am
I thought for sure you had been blogging for much longer than a year. Wow! Your blog is way too impressive to only be a toddler
I love the holiday’s too. I could listen to Christmas music all year long!
39. Amy | December 20th, 2007 at 3:51 am
Honey butter glazed! Say no more! YUM!