Oatmeal, Hazelnut & Cherry Scones by Scranton Seahorse Inn

This is a 7-Scone Series on Romancing the SconesTM, revealing scone recipes made by iLoveInns.com innkeepers across the United States.

 

“One of my favorite recipes,” reports innkeeper Michael Hafford,  “originally shared by my good friend Jan. This variation offers hazelnuts and cherries.”

Oatmeal Cherry Scones

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

  • 1 1/4 cups Quaker oats
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 & 1/2
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into 1/2″ cubes
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried tart cherries

Directions:
Spread oats and chopped hazelnuts evenly on a baking sheet and toast until lightly browned and fragrant – about 7 minutes. Keep an eye on this and be sure not to burn the hazelnuts. They will brown before the oatmeal does which is ok. Remove from oven and cool. Raise temperature of your oven to 425 degrees.
Whisk together cream and egg. Reserve 2 tablespoons for glazing scones.
In a food processor combine the flour, sugar and baking powder and pulse a few times to combine. Scatter in the cold butter and pulse until the mixture is the consistency of a coarse cornmeal. Transfer this mixture to a good size mixing bowl. Using a large rubber spatula fold in the oatmeal and nut mixture. Add the cherries.
Fold in the liquid ingredients until large clumps form. using your hand mix the dough a few more times until a large ball is formed.
Dust your clean work surface with a little flour and then gently pat the mixture until a 7″ circle until it’s about 1″ thick. Using a sharp knife cut into 8 wedges. Line a sheet pan with parchment and place wedge 2″ apart. Brush each wedge with the reserve liquid and sprinkle with a little sugar. Place sheet pan with scones in freezer for about 10 minutes.
Bake until golden brown and delicious – about 12 – 14 minutes. Let them cool for about 20 minutes before serving.
This recipe doubles easily. Uncooked wedges can be wrapped and frozen for 2 weeks. If you plan to freeze the uncooked wedges don’t glaze or sugar them until your ready to cook (you can use 1/2 & 1/2) Cook them frozen and increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

Scranton Seahorse Inn