Apricot-Almond Scones

on
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
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Apricot-Almond Scones

2 1/2 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1/2 a package (7 ounce) almond paste
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted almonds

Glaze
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch of sea salt

Pulse together bread flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a food processor until well incorporated.  Add butter and almond paste, and pulse until just combined and mealy.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar and vanilla until well combined.  Gently stir in dry ingredients, apricot and almond until just combined (mixture will be clumpy).  Pat dough into a 9-inch tapered round on a lightly floured surface.  Slice into 8 equal triangles.  Transfer triangles to a large ungreased cookie sheet (dough won't spread much), and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. 

Bake scones 18-20 minutes or until deep golden brown.  (If you want the tops to be shiny, before baking, whisk together an egg and 2 teaspoons of water until combined.  Brush the tops of dough with egg mixture.) Cool 1 minute before transferring to wire racks to cool. 

To make the glaze, sift confectioners' sugar into a medium mixing bowl.  Whisk in milk, butter, almond extract and sea salt until well combined.  Drizzle glaze over cooled scones.

Makes 8 large scones
22 comments on "Apricot-Almond Scones"
  1. Apricot and almond pasta, what a delicious combo. I will try these with fresh apricots tough... Still have some frozen from last summer and I have to use these before the next summer;)

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  2. I haven't seen a scone recipe using bread flour before. Wouldn't all-purpose flour make them a little more tender? Or does the almond paste need something with a little more structure?

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    1. Hi Tom, I'm just going to say what I told Sue. Are you guys friends or something? :)

      I've found that bread flour "holds" butter better than all purpose. I don't know the technical term for this. It doesn't allow the butter to melt, so the scones don't spread as much. I guess all purpose would make a more tender scone, but these weren't tough at all. I used the almond paste mainly for the flavor, but it was kind of a good idea because it added moisture to the scone without having to use liquid.

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  3. I love scones and these look so delicious!

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  4. These look SO good. Why did you use bread flour?

    Apricots are one ingredient where I always try to buy Amurican. California apricots are bigger, moister and much more luscious than the ones from the Mediterranean. But I would have these with any ethnicity apricot.

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    1. Thank you! I've found that bread flour "holds" butter better than all purpose. I don't know the technical term for this. It doesn't allow the butter to melt, so the scones don't spread as much. I didn't know that! CA apricots all the way!

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  5. Mmmm...looks good. I like the apricot/almond combo. I'll have to try them.

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  6. I am loving the first day of spring! Great scones. I keep meaning to make some and these would be perfect to try.

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  7. Very tasty looking! Would you believe that apricots are one of the few fruits I prefer dried to fresh? I'm kinda glad you used dried.

    Happy spring!

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  8. I don't think it's just where you are...iffy fresh apricots are universal! But dried apricots are addictively delicious. Love these scones!

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  9. I adore almond paste! With that, the chopped almonds, and almond extract in the glaze, I can see myself adoring these. Also, spring weather galore!

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  10. So ready for spring produce (mmmmmm...morels). Love your flavor combo, and I could really use a scone right now.

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  11. These scones look great. Fresh apricots are my favorite, when they are of high quality, but I have trouble finding good ones like you. I can also attest to the fact that Bradford Pear trees smell horrible. We have three in our yard, and when they are in bloom, we cannot even open the windows!

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  12. Yum, I love apricot! Perfect for this time of year. That icing is looking so good, too.
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.com/

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  13. i think unless you're living next to a tree, apricots can be hit or miss! loving the almond combination with these :)

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  14. Oh those look delicious and perfect for this beautiful weather we're having! I'll have to make these :)

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