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Decadent Chocolate Chip Scones: A Delicious Twist on a Classic

Decadent Chocolate Chip Scones are a delightful variation of the traditional British scone. These scones combine the rich, buttery flavor of classic scones with the indulgence of chocolate chips, making them a perfect treat for any time of the day. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even as a dessert, these scones are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

For the Scones:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips (semisweet or dark chocolate)

For the Glaze (optional):

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in Butter:
   • Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients.
   • Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Form the Dough:
   • Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir until just combined.
   • Fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
6. Shape the Scones:
   • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times.
   • Shape the dough into a circle about 1-inch thick.
   • Cut the circle into 8 wedges (like a pizza) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Glaze (Optional):
   • Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
   • If desired, make the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
   • Drizzle the glaze over the cooled scones.

Tips for Success

• Cold Ingredients: Ensure that the butter and heavy cream are cold. This helps create a flaky texture in the scones.
• Do Not Overmix: Mix the dough until just combined to prevent the scones from becoming tough.
• Evenly Distribute Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips gently to ensure they are evenly spread throughout the dough.

ENJOY!

Decadent Chocolate Chip Scones are a perfect indulgence for any occasion. Their buttery, flaky texture combined with the richness of chocolate makes them a delightful treat. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these scones are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Serve them warm with a cup of your favorite tea and savor the deliciousness!

Our Pairing Suggestions

• English Breakfast Tea: The robust flavor of English Breakfast Tea pairs beautifully with the rich, sweet chocolate chips. We suggest Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast Tea

• Chai Tea: The spices in Chai Tea complement the sweetness of the scones, creating a cozy, warming combination. The classic Twinnings Chai Tea is a favorite of ours.

• Peppermint Tea: For a refreshing contrast, pair the scones with a cup of peppermint tea, which offers a cool, clean flavor. We cannot go past the Republic of Tea Chocolate Peppermint Tea

Enjoy baking these delightful scones and sharing them with friends and family. Happy baking and brewing!

Want more great recipes?

The Classic Lemon Drizzle Cake is a fabulous cake known for its light, moist texture and bright, tangy flavor. It’s a quintessentially British cake, often enjoyed with a cup of tea. This cake’s simplicity and refreshing taste make it a favorite for many, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and zest.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1/2 cup whole milk

For the Drizzle:

• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease and line a loaf tin with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
3. Add Eggs and Lemon Zest:
   • Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
   • Mix in the zest of 2 lemons, which will give the cake its distinctive citrus flavor.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually fold in the self-rising flour, alternating with the whole milk. Start and end with the flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
5. Bake:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin, spreading it evenly.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Prepare the Drizzle:
   • While the cake is baking, mix the lemon juice and powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth.
7. Drizzle:
   • As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, use a skewer to poke several holes all over the top.
   • Pour the lemon drizzle mixture evenly over the hot cake, allowing it to soak in.
8. Cool and Serve:
   • Let the cake cool in the tin for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
   • Slice and serve the cake with a cup of your favorite tea.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting. This helps in achieving a smooth, even batter.
• Lemon Zest: Use a fine grater or zester to avoid the bitter white pith beneath the lemon skin.
• Drizzle Timing: Pour the lemon drizzle over the cake while it’s still warm from the oven. This ensures that the syrup penetrates the cake, adding moisture and flavor.

Pairing Suggestions

• Earl Grey Tea: The citrusy notes of Earl Grey complement the lemony flavor of the cake. We love Taylors Classic Earl Grey

• Green Tea: A light, floral green tea pairs well, offering a refreshing contrast to the sweet and tangy cake. Our choice is Luxmi Estates Tokyo Green Tea

• Chamomile Tea: For a calming combination, try pairing your lemon drizzle cake with a soothing cup of chamomile tea. We suggest Harney&Sons Chamomile Tea

And Enjoy!

The Classic Lemon Drizzle Cake is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Its light, fluffy texture and vibrant lemon flavor make it a crowd-pleaser, especially when served with a nice cup of tea. Whether you’re hosting a tea party or looking for a delicious dessert, this cake is sure to impress. Enjoy the simplicity and elegance of this timeless bake!

Looking for more great recipes?

In the world of tea, each sip can send us on a journey of flavors, aromas, and sensations. Tea calms our senses and soothes our soul. With an endless choice of teas, finding the perfect blend can be an adventure in itself.

Today we wanted to explore some of the classic teas we serve at a tea party. We will share with you the best tea flavors available and where to buy them.

Earl Grey Tea:

A timeless classic, Earl Grey tea is known for its distinctive flavor; the citrusy notes of bergamot oil. This aromatic blend of black tea leaves and bergamot creates a harmonious balance of boldness and brightness, making it the perfect choice for any time of day.

We love Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey Tea which comes in individually wrapped tea bags.

Where to buy

Lady Grey Tea

There is a lesser known twist on the classic Earl Grey Tea, called Lady Grey Tea. The main difference between the two is that Lady Grey also contains lemon peel and orange peel. Lady Grey is a more recent invention, and is trademarked by the tea company Twinings.

Where to buy

Jasmine Green Tea:

Jasmine Green Tea has a delicate floral fragrance. This fragrant blend combines the natural sweetness of green tea leaves with the exotic aroma of jasmine blossoms, creating a refreshing and rejuvenating brew that transports you to a tranquil garden oasis.

Midnight Bloom Jasmine Green Tea is one of our favorite teas to serve.

Where to Buy

Chamomile Herbal Tea:

Relax and unwind with a soothing cup of Chamomile Herbal Tea. Known for its calming properties and mild, apple-like flavor, chamomile tea is the perfect choice for winding down after a long day or preparing for a restful night’s sleep. We recently tried and loved Wild Bliss Organic Chamomile Tea and will be using this a lot more now.

Peppermint Infusion:

Refresh your senses with the invigorating flavor of Peppermint Infusion. This cooling herbal tea offers a burst of minty freshness with every sip, making it an ideal choice for revitalizing your mind and body any time of day. We love Taylors of Harrogates version of Peppermint Tea the best.

Masala Chai:

Sometimes the tea you need is bold and spicy, then we suggest Masala Chai, a traditional Indian tea blend that combines black tea with a blend of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. This rich and flavorful brew is perfect for warming up on chilly days or indulging in a cozy afternoon treat.

We recommend Golden Masala Chai with tumeric and maca.

Fruit Infusion Teas

For a burst of fruity flavor, we love to serve a variety of fruit-infused teas such as Raspberry Hibiscus, Peach Apricot, or Blueberry Acai. These refreshing blends make vibrant brews that are perfect for enjoying hot or iced.

We love to serve an iced Blackberry Raspberry Hibiscus Tea

With these classic tea flavors you are sure to have a fabulous tea party. Your guests will be delighted whether they prefer the bold richness of black tea, the delicate sweetness of green tea, or the soothing comfort of herbal infusions, there’s a tea flavor to suit every taste and occasion.

Happy sipping!

Tea parties are designed to be exquisite affairs where every sip and bite matters. Tea Pairings take your tea party to the next level by matching the right tea to your tea party menu. This is the perfect way to impress your guests by tantalizing their taste buds with complementary flavors and aromas.

In this post we take you on a short journey into the art of tea pairings, and together we will explore the perfect combinations for a memorable tea party.

Savory Delights Pairings:

Add a new dimension to your savory course, by suggesting paired teas that will bring out the best of your beautiful menu choice.

Our menu suggestions:

Finger Sandwiches: Light and delicate cucumber sandwiches or savory smoked salmon can be beautifully complemented by a floral and refreshing green tea, such as Jasmine or Sencha.

You can find our tea party sandwich recipes here.

Quiches and Tarts: The buttery richness of quiches and savory tarts pairs wonderfully with a classic Earl Grey or a bold Assam tea, to add a hint of citrus or maltiness.

Cheese Platter: Whether it’s a creamy Brie or a sharp Cheddar, cheese lovers will appreciate the balanced complexity of an oolong tea like Tieguanyin (Oolong tea) or a lightly oxidized Darjeeling, which cuts through the richness with a floral and fruity profile.

Sweet Treats Tea Pairings:

Pairing teas with sweet treats at a tea party is a joy. Here are our menu suggestions:

Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam: The quintessential tea party indulgence, English scones are elevated when paired with a traditional English Breakfast tea or a robust Ceylon tea, whose malty notes compliment the richness of the cream and sweetness of the jam.

Pastries and Petit Fours: Delicate pastries and petit fours find their match in a fragrant and slightly sweet tea like Moroccan Mint or a floral Jasmine Pearl tea, enhancing the intricate flavors without overpowering them.

Chocolate Desserts: For chocolate lovers, a rich and robust black tea such as Keemun or a smoky Lapsang Souchong creates a harmonious balance, bringing out the depth of flavor in decadent chocolate desserts.

Our other favorite pairings:

Fresh Fruit: Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and melons pair beautifully with a delicate white tea like Silver Needle or Pai Mu Tan, allowing the natural sweetness of the fruit to shine.

Nuts and Dried Fruits: The nutty and earthy flavors of almonds, walnuts, and dried apricots find harmony with a smooth and mellow tea such as a Golden Monkey black tea or a nutty Hojicha green tea.

The secret to good tea pairing lies in experimentation and discovering combinations that delight your guests. By offering a selection of teas and food, your tea party will surely be a resounding success, leaving guests enchanted and eager for more.

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