Chocolate Hazelnut Scones

Who can resist scone for an afternoon tea...not me! Scones are extremely easy to bake...its so easy even a beginner can bake them in jiffy. There are ultimate rule for a perfect scone...DO NOT OVER MIXED THE DOUGH. Over mixing the dough will result in a dense and flat scones which is a disaster. That's what happen to me when i first started to bake scones years ago. Eventually, i learnt the tactic and baked hundreds of scones successfully.

I opted to bake chocolate hazelnut scones and instead of basic vanilla dough i added cocoa powder for extra chocolate flavor. The additional kick of chocolate in the dough enhance the chocolate flavor in this fluffy scones recipe. The crumbly texture of this dark beauty are simply marvelous. You can bite into crunchy toasted hazelnuts in every bite. As hazelnuts are my favourite nuts, i used them in this recipe. Feel free to replace them with your favorite nuts...almonds,macadamia and pistachios goes well with chocolate.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 tbsp granulated white sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter,chilled and chopped
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup chopped roasted hazelnuts
Pinch off salt
Dash of buttermilk, for brushing

Methods

Preheat oven at 220'C or 428'F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and keep aside.

In a bowl, sift together flour,cocoa powder,baking powder and salt. Add sugar and mix well.

Add butter and rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until flour mixture resembles coarse and crumble.

Add hazelnuts and chocolate chips. Stir until combined.

Add buttermilk and using a spatula, mix to combined.

Transfer dough onto working surface, lightly dusted with flour and knead for 5-7 seconds

Form dough into a disk about 6-7 inches in diameter and cut into 6-8 wedges. Brush with buttermilk.

Place wedges onto a prepared baking tray, leaving space between each wedges and bake for 20-22 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes

Serve with chocolate sauce

Notes

• Do not over mixed the dough.