Monday, September 24, 2012

Cinnamon Raisin Scones in the Big City

2 weeks in Chicago!



I baked something last week. But the lack of internet access in my apartment has caused me to be a little less connected than usual. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing...Anyway...

Cinnamon Raisin Whole-Wheat Scones

I tweaked a Paul Hollywood recipe for this one because I didn't want anything too challenging for my first attempt at baking in a gas oven.

I used his Whole-Wheat Scone recipe from 100 Great Breads. I used Earth Balance instead of butter because I don't really buy butter unless I'm making some kind of French pasty where I think butter is necessary, but I digress. I also added a half tablespoon of cinnamon and the suggested amount of golden raisins (PH has that as an option alongside the recipe). I used raw sugar instead of superfine, which may have caused them to turn out a little less sweet. Also I used 1 and 1/2 large eggs because that's what I had (instead of 2 medium), but it was still a little too wet so I ended up adding quite a bit of flour to keep from having baked pancakes (ew).

The oven time thing was a concern for me (and rightly so) since a friend had told me before I moved that gas ovens don't heat as evenly as electric, so I kept a close eye on the scones while they were in the oven. I may have actually taken them out a little early, but I was scared of burning them. They were bouncy when they came out, and more bouncy the next day (instead of brick-like as my scones have tended to be on the 2nd or 3rd day in the past). Bouncy is the best word I could come up with to describe the texture. They didn't taste weird at all, except that they were a little less sweet than I would have liked.

But enough with the talk...here's what they looked like...






A little paler than I would like even though I sprinkled them with raw sugar right before going in the oven...I think I have to be a little less cautious with oven times in the future.

Also, in reference to the awesome picture at the top of this post...it's not mine. I haven't made it that far downtown yet. Maybe I'll make it before the snows start.

Love and carbs to all!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

More Bread to Come

Hi there Bread Heads! Sorry I've been AWOL lately. Been very busy moving. Arrived in Chicago yesterday to start my new life as a grad student. Will be posting some new breads ASAP. Well, as soon as I get internet access (so ASAIGIA).

Love and loaves,

K