Shabby Chic in Blue,
Random Bakes of Kindness,
National Baking Week
and
Apple Scones
A short post from me today, and a little later than usual too; it has been a hectic day since I first stumbled out of bed this morning to let the hens out……wading through a heavy dew on the grass in my fabric slippers whilst gathering my trailing nightgown up and around my knees…..since then, things have become more bizarre and I haven’t stopped. However, I did manage to make a DOUBLE batch of delicious and very seasonal Apple Scones for National Baking Week, as well as for Vanessa’s Random Bakes of Kindness……so, I must have achieved something today!
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| National Baking Week |
These apple scones are a family favourite ~ they are very light and short and the apples makes them last longer than normal scones, which can become very dry after 24 hours. These scones are also delicious when served with cheese, which makes for a pleasant dessert after lunch or supper. I made a double batch today, and have posted the ingredients for a double batch, as they do freeze well; by all means cut the quantities back by half if you wish. Don’t use cooking apples in these scones, as they collapse and become too soft ~ a good dessert apple such as Coxes Orange Pippin is good or a crisp Gala, Pink Lady or even a Worcester.
The Random Bake of Kindness element was for a close friend who has just lost her old dog; the pain of losing a pet is hard as they become an important part of the family and their absence creates such sadness, as well as dog beds, leads and food dishes as painful reminders, so I popped a dozen of these scones into a tin and went around there with my shoulder available for her to cry on……and on leaving, I took the dog lead, dishes etc away with me, as she asked me to do. She will get another dog I am sure, but not just yet….and the scones were just the tonic she needed, as well as some company.
I decided to liberate some of my shabby chic blue and white plates, cups and cake stands to serve our scones on this lunch time, all second hand and car boot sale finds, all aged and with a tale or two to tell no doubt……and all of them wearing badges of love and good food in their scratches and chips……but so pretty as you can see by the photos. I served our scones warm and freshly buttered from the oven with a cup of tea and a slice of cheese, after all, apple scones without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze ~ or is that apple pie? Never mind, you know what I mean.
These apple scones would be perfect in your children’s lunch boxes, and if they like cheese, pop a small wedge of cheese in there too ~ there is only 110g of fat and 50g of sugar in the whole batch of 20 scones, so they are fairly healthy, as well as tasty. Let me know if you make a batch and how they turn out, I have in the past added a little mixed spice to the mixture, but I leave that decision up to you! Anyway, I have to dash now, I am being treated to a meal out tonight and I need to scrub up a bit! See you all later, Karen.
Apple Scones
(Makes 18 to 20 scones)
Ingredients:
450g (1lb) self raising flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
pinch of salt
110g (4ozs) butter, unsalted
50g (2ozs) caster sugar
450g (1lb) apples, peeled, cored and cut into small dice
milk, to mix
1 egg, beaten
sugar for sprinkling
Method:
Preheat oven to 200C/400F/Gas mark 6. Grease 2 large baking trays.
In a large bowl add the flour, raising ingredients and salt, mix well. Add the butter and rub into the flour with your fingertips until it is all blended and the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and chopped apples and mix well.
Pour in the milk, little by little until you have a soft but not sticky dough ~ do not over mix. Place the apple scone dough onto a well floured board and roll out to a thickness of 2.5cm (1″) with a floured rolling pin.
Cut out rounds with a 5cm (2″) scone or biscuit cutter and place onto the greased baking trays; brush the scones with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar before baking for 20 minutes, changing the trays over after 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving them warm with butter and maybe some cheese or fruit.
To freeze, allow to cool completely and pack them into a plastic container with greaseproof paper in-between the scones, allow to defrost for 4 hours and then pop them in a pre-heated low oven to warm through before serving as before.
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
Next time I make scones, I am putting apples in them! I also love the combination of apples with cheese. I would have a good hunk of Montgomery's cheddar with mine! X
Inspired by eRecipeCards says
Delicious… stunning photos as usual. Sad story about losing a pet. I just got back from a visit with my sainted mother. They have a dog who never ever left my step father's side while he was recovering from a stroke (he is fine now). Copper (the dog) was walked to get Harley (the step-father) out and building on what he had. Copper gave him purpose, feeding, cleaning up after, etc. And most of all, Copper always was there.
Sadly, Copper is now 17, has bad arthritis and his hair is falling out. Harley is in that painful decision making stage where Copper may need to be put down. WIll be a terrible day for all of us.
You are such a sweet person
carolinajewel says
These look delicious! I have printed the recipe and want to try them – love the idea of serving with cheese. My grandmother always said, "Apple pie without the cheese is like a hug without a squeeze!" The same could go for apple scones! Excited about your tea time monthly event!!!!
Heather says
Oh, these look so yummy! I'm always looking for good things to put in lunch boxes, these would be yummy for breakfast too! Is bicarbonate of soda like baking soda?
Thrifty Household says
What beautiful plates & lovely scones too. I've never added apple to scones, I shall try it next time.
Thank you!
Aimée @ Food: Je t'Aimée says
Oh Karen, these are beautiful! Not only am I *completely* enamoured by your blue and white plates AND all their character (I'm convinced the best finds will always be at yard sales or forgotten at the bottom of a closet!), I also love the idea of putting apples in scones! I've never tried such a thing. I'd put apples in just about everything if I could, so I'd love to try this recipe!
Kudos to you for being such a kind support to your friend while she grieves her loss.
Janice says
ooh I could do with one of those right now! What a picture you paint of your traling nightie in the wet grass lol!
La Table De Nana says
Shabby Blues..Lovely Blues~
All That I'm Eating says
These look lovely. I have so many apples at the moment this is another recipe to add to the repertoire! I bet these would put a smile on anyone's face and I bet your friend really appreciated them.
A Trifle Rushed says
Karen, what lovely scones, apples are such a great addition. We have several play dates next week (half term!) so I think I will bake these at least a couple of times! I also love your blue and white china, they are just so chic.
Kate@whatkatebaked says
Apple + cheese + scone = my idea of some mightily delicious baking! Lovely, Karen, really, really lovely.
Shaheen says
I love the look of those apple scones. I made some last year with blackberries, but have not got round to them this year.
Kentish Keg-Meg says
Scones are a favourite of mine. Love cheese scones for lunch . These apple scones are going to be made tomorrow. Can't wait.
Victoria says
I love fruit scones with cheese…and these are such a lovely random bake a kindness!! xx
Annie says
Ooh, I shall be trying these with some of the apples we picked up at Sunday's Apple and Quince Fair.
Re. my lovely giveaway win, I just thought I'd mention here that I've emailed you Karen … I did email back in the first week of October but you obviously didn't get that message, but now you know there's one incoming to look for hopefully you'll see it 😀
rachel says
I made some last night for supper -eaten with a chunk of cheese they are absolutely delicious!Thanks! Lots of kindness going around I think – hope your friend is ok
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
lovely recipe and they look stunning… and as usual your photography is incredible… I want to jump right in… I need your lighting tips! (or your evening sunshine!)
Working london mummy says
these look absolutely delicious! really good idea as you say normal scones do get dry. Will have to try this out!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
These look exceptional scones!! I'm stopping everything now and making these – your blog tends to provoke that reaction!!
Mary oxox
Rhona Joyce says
These look wonderful I have never tried apple scones but will now thanks for the recipe
Prairie Rose says
I love scones!
I will have to try this recipe very soon:)
Have a great day!
Hannah says
Hmm I'm intrigued by the apple/cheese combination. I've only recently been able to enjoy a sweet/savoury thing so I will give this a try.
I love your blue plates – I'm building up a collection of carboot finds but don't really have any that mis-match so stylishly as yours!
Brownieville Girl says
Delicious scones and a shoulder to cry on – what a wonderful friend you are.
Ruth Ellis says
Apple scones take me back to being a kid. They were definitely my favourite scones by a mile. Delicious :o) You've got me feeling all nostalgic now!