This week’s Tuesdays with Dorie was selected by Mike of Living Out West: toasted almond scones. I actually “met” Mike when he won a giveaway I hosted on my blog some time ago, and we’ve been virtual buddies since – chatting on Twitter about all things baking-related and sharing camera advice via email. I was excited to see his turn finally come around!
These scones are full of almond goodness – almond flour, finely chopped almond pieces, almond extract, and sliced almonds on top for garnish. I actually baked the full recipe for a change this week and sent them off to work with Shane’s dad, though I did cut the dough into 8 scones rather than the 12 Dorie suggests. I brushed the scones with heavy cream and sprinkled with turbinado sugar (as well as the sliced almonds) before baking. The only other change I made was to up the sugar to 3 tablespoons (from 2) as some TWD’ers mentioned the scones weren’t very sweet. Full disclosure – I only ate a small piece of one of the corners that broke off a scone before giving these to Shane’s dad. I was a fan – good almond flavor and a crumbly texture. I’d probably add even more sugar next time but I like everything sweet as can be so no shock there. Many thanks to Mike for hosting this week! He’ll share the recipe for the scones on his blog today or you can find it on pages 28-29 of Baking: From My Home to Yours.
Can we talk about one more thing today completely unrelated to scones? Shane and I are contemplating a trip to Vegas, and while I’ve already received great tips from one TWD friend (thanks Jessica!) I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask for input from all of you too. We’re not gamblers and we’ve never been to Vegas so the plan is probably just to walk the strip, maybe see a show or two, hang out by the pool and most definitely check out some of the great restaurants. I’d love to hear your best Vegas advice – recommendations for must-see sights, shows, restaurants, etc would be much appreciated. Thanks 🙂
Lemon Bars
Glazed Grapefruit Cake
Orange Sherbet
Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
Yours is the third blog in a row to appear in my reader this morning with these scones, I’m taking it as an omen that I should bake some immediately!
GREAT recipe, Tracey- my bf loves scones so I will certainly be making these!
With that golden color these look to die for! Wish I had one for breakfast right now.
Sorry I cant help with Vegas advice as Im far away in south Brazil 😛
Your scones look great!Can you believe I never baked scones?Must do that soon!!!
It’s been a while since I last bake scones! These look so delicious, I would love to try!
I admire your ability to just have a ‘taste’! Can’t help you with Vegas–we have been there several times but only to play baseball! They do have Pannera (we don’t in UT).
The scones look fantastic! I think I would have preferred a little more sugar in them, come to think of it – but it hasn’t stopped me from eating them.
Good luck with your Vegas planning – the TWD travel agency to the rescue! If you ever need Sonoma advice, I’m your woman!
Those look great…thanks for sharing!
They look great, and I bet they were a hit. These were tasty and so easy to make! I’ll put on my thinking cap about Las Vegas.
Tracey – what beautiful scones! Funny, I did the cream/sugar topping too – gives it such a “zing” – glad you were able to share with Shane’s Dad. And I agree – they could use more sugar and still be good! Thanks so much for the nice comments and for the bake-a-long this week!!!
** I haven’t been to Vegas in years, but there used to be the Ethel M Chocolates there – a GREAT place to visit – off the strip!
Omigosh, go to Vegas Baby! So fun…..I think the food there is supposed to be amazing. I am so excited for you and eager to hear all about it. My cousins go five or six times a year and always rave about the Venetian but I have never been.
Rick was able to smuggle one of these scones home for me and I must say they were delicious! Lots of almond flavor. I’m sure they were even better warm! Thanks Tracey!
Those scones look great! Have fun in Vegas. I’ve never been so I can’t offer advice but hopefully you will have good weather and a great time
Vegas..my bro lives there! Ok first…the scones look perfect..OK vegas
KA bCircus de soleil is playing at the MGM Grand…it’s the best show I’ve ever seen!
The Bellagio has an indoor chocolate fountain .it’s a part of a very yummy candy shop.
Also check out the indoor garden at the Bellagio and the good in their restraunt is incredible!
M & M world is so fun..lot’s of candy!
Watch the light show outside at the Bellagio..very pretty and free!
My husband and I don’t gamble either..JUST a heads up at night the freaks come out…porn Everywhere….al over the sidewalks..people will hand you flyers..don’t take them..look sraight ahead and keep walking!;) Have fun..it’s a cool place to visit! One last thing..the Mandalay Bay has a cool place to swim!
These look perfect for a coffee break snack! Remember; what happens in Vegas… 😉
Nice scones! I brushed mine with cream, too, and sprinkled turbinado sugar on top. Great minds!
Instead of extra sugar in them, I drizzle them with a glaze. My husband wasn’t a fan of their crumbliness, but I like them.
Lovley scones! I’m having my share with a cup of tea, please! Thank you for sharing 🙂
mmm, yoour scones look wonderful! Viva Las Vegas! I don’t have many recommendations, but I stayed at the Bellagio and it was out of control amazing!
Beautiful Tracey! Oooh Vegas… Two shows that I highly recommend — Love (the Beatles show) and “O”. Very different but both worth it. Also, if you have a rental car (or just get one for a day) there are options outside of the strip. There’s a high-end outlet mall somewhere out in the desert, and of course the desert itself is pretty too!
If you want advice on museums, I can do that…the other stuff, not so much…lol. Your scones look wonderful, I like them cut into 8 instead of 12 also. No way could I nibble on a corner and pass it off, these were worthy of actually eating! Maybe I should get them blogged.
Tracey, these look fantastic. I cannot wait to finally make them. Love scones, as you know, and almonds. It was a good choice. Perfect!!
Well I was a rules follower and cut my scones into 12, but next time I’ll follow your example and go for 8. And brush w cream + dust w sugar. Hope you guys have a great vacation whether it’s Vegas or the beach.
lovely scones!
make sure you see the show “O”
eat the buffet at the Bellagio. you can ask 5 people which buffet is the best in Vegas and you’ll get 5 different answers…and it’s been a few years since I have been so it’s possible things have changed…but when I was there last, the best buffet IMO was the Bellagio one 🙂 Paris hotel buffet is pretty good too. and, at some hotels you can go at the very end of “lunch” and stay through until they start to serve dinner so you pay the lower price and get some of the more expensive goodies 🙂 have fun!
The scones look terrific, Tracey! What a nice treat for Shane’s dad.
I have only been to Las Vegas once and it was for a wedding, so we didn’t get a chance to go to any shows. I did have fun walking around the strip (there’s a great M&M store) and eating. The Venetian has tons of great restaurants and is really pretty. Good luck planning your trip!
Love Vegas! Try out a Cirque de Soleil show. There may be someone performing that you like at one of the hotels. We rented a car and drove out to the Overlook at Grand Canyon.
Mmm, these look great! I’ll definitely up the sugar when I make them, or maybe serve them with some lime curd…
your texture looks fabulous!
Buttercreambarbie
yum, your scones look great!! mine were a bit crumbly and not completely up my alley, taste was great texture not really. but i’m glad you enoyed your corner 😉 and i hope father-in-law thoroughly enjoyed his!
as for vegas… no advice here, never been. my gma has (several times) but she’s a gambler. the go in and come out 2 days later kind. but i suggest a cirque show, if you’ve never seen one 🙂
Sorry to take so long to comment, but these were delicious! They WERE a bit crumbly, so it was tough to eat one while standing with a coffee in one hand and chatting with co workers, but the flavor was sensational. Not overstated, just “almondy” enough. If it were sweeter, it would be more like one of those croissant like pastries with the almond filling. Not the intent here, perfect scone to eat with a coffee!
Good luck with Vegas!