Lightened-up Chocolate Chip Scones

My little boy came home last Friday and said to me, "Mommy, I want to make scones."  I was very confused as we have never made scones at home, so I asked a few questions and even suggested a few of his other favorite baked items instead.  However, he insisted we make scones so we can "sprinkle them with sugar on top."  So I obliged,  and we searched on the computer together to find a recipe (aka pictures) that looked good to him.  So we found this one and it involved chocolate:  enough said!  It was so fun to make these with him - he loved getting his hands dirty, acting as the pastry cutter with the cold butter, kneading the dough, and shaping it into a circle.  Plus the excitement around tasting them fresh from the oven was overwhelming!  He was on cloud 9 and so was I because it brings so much joy to my heart to see him have fun too.  This recipe is awesome - if you like scones, its a must try.

Happy Baking!
Sarah

Lightened-Up Chocolate Chip Scones
this version was based on the recipe from http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/01/skinny-chocolate-chip-buttermilk-scones.html#more
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup of unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup of whole-wheat flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
3 T chilled butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
cooking spray
1 large egg white, lightly beaten, (to make them shiny and to get the sugar topping to stick)
1 1/2 T granulated sugar for sprinkling on top

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Combine the buttermilk, sugar, vanilla, and egg in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.  Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender, or you could use your fingers (as my children LOVED), until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Gently fold in the chocolate chips and then buttermilk mixture, stirring just until moist.

Place dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly four times with floured hands.

Form dough into an 9-inch circle onto baking sheet, about 3/4" thick.

Using a knife, cut the dough into 12 wedges all the way through.  Brush with egg whites and sprinkle evenly with sugar. 

Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.   Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes before separating and removing them from the cookie sheet.

These are so delicious, the chocolate chips make it so decadent, but you can confidently indulge knowing that these are waaaaaaaay better for you than those you buy at the bakery.  Enjoy!!!