Apple Butter Scones
Apple Butter Scones
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Typically during the month of October, I begin to fantasize about all things pumpkin: pumpkin scones, pumpkin pie, and (dare I say) pumpkin spice. But this year a jar of apple butter stole my heart and became my muse in the kitchen. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, particularly in the mornings and mid-afternoon with a cup of coffee.
What is apple butter? Oddly enough, it has nothing to do with butter - aside from the fact that you might spread it over your morning toast. Apple butter does not have any butter in it, and the consistency is closer to that of fruit preserves or jam. It’s essentially concentrated apple sauce packed with flavors like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and other warming spices. By cooking for a long period of time, more water is removed which gives apple butter that beautiful caramelized color and richness. Apple butter makes anything it touches taste like the holidays, and I’m here for it!
There are a variety of simple ways you can use apple butter. Swirl some in your oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast. Serve it next to a good piece of cheese and a baguette during cocktail hour, or mix a little in your next scoop of ice cream for dessert. If you’re looking to spruce up your fall baking recipes, apple butter is a good substitute for apple sauce or pumpkin puree.
As you may have gathered, I’ve gone bananas for apple butter. Throughout the month of October, I’ll share some of the ways you can incorporate apple butter into your baking repertoire like this recipe for apple butter scones.
These scones are a big hit in my house. It makes for a special breakfast on school days, in which case I make them the night before and store in a tupperware. But my favorite time to make these scones is on the weekends (no doubt in my pjs with a cup of coffee) because nothing is better than eating them fresh out of the oven.
As a side note: I’ve been using The Dutch Kettle’s apple butter, and it’s scrumptious. I stumbled upon their products at a local farmers market and have seen them at my Publix grocery store since then. Located about an hour north of Lake Norman in Hamptonville, NC, The Dutch Kettle specializes in hand-crafted jams, jellies and speciality products. I’d recommend you give it a try, and it’s also sold online. I’m eager to sample their F.R.O.G (fig, raspberry, orange and ginger) jam next!
Apple Butter Scones
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of light brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp all spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup cold, unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup apple butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a large bowl use a fork or whisk to mix together the flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and cut it into the flour mixture. Basically, you can use a pastry/dough blender like this or use your hands to incorporate the butter into the flour. You want the butter to become the size of small peas or crumbs. It’s ok if the pieces vary slightly in size.
- In a separate bowl, mix together your wet ingredients - the buttermilk, apple butter and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until the dough comes together - just until it's all incorporated. Try not to overmix. You’ll be kneading it after this.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 4-5 times. Using the palm of your hand, pat the dough out into the shape of a circle (about 1 inch thick). Cut the circle in half, and then cut each half into 3 equal triangle-shaped wedges. Brush the top of each piece with some buttermilk and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 375 F for about 20 minutes - until the tops are a light golden brown or a toothpick comes out clean.
