If you’re a Facebook follower, then you probably already know it’s been a busy few days. If not, here’s a quick recap. We woke up (really, really) early on Sunday morning to head down to Providence for the Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island.
Shane competed in the event last year as well, though this year’s course was completely different. The race starts with a 1.2 mile swim, which is followed by a 56 mile bike ride and finally a 13.1 mile run. I watched the race with Shane’s parents (photos courtesy of his dad) and we were lucky to see Shane quite a few times along the course. The weather was HOT – 5 minutes in the sun and I was looking for the nearest shady spot to take cover. Despite the heat, Shane finished in just over 6 hours, an improvement of almost 40 minutes over last year’s time. Go Shane!!
Shane took the day after the race off from work, but instead of letting him rest on the couch, I dragged him to Ikea 🙂
The nearest location is only about an hour from our house, but a trip to Ikea is almost always an all-day event regardless. There’s just so much to see, and since we probably don’t get there more than one or two times a year, I like to browse each and every inch of the store to make sure I don’t miss any hidden treasures. We picked up stools for the island in our kitchen, a bookcase (to try and contain/organize the magazine issue) and some miscellaneous small stuff. Oh, and of course there were Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingonberries for lunch!
All in all, a really great weekend, but it didn’t leave much time for baking this week’s selection for Tuesdays with Dorie, which was cream scones. Instead, I got up this morning and got to work; fortunately, these scones can be thrown together pretty quickly. The recipe called for the addition of currants, but that didn’t excite me, so I went with mini chocolate chips. Also, instead of cutting the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter, I grated it using the largest holes on my box grater. It’s a trick I read about in an issue of Cook’s Illustrated a while ago (and never tried) but lots of the TWD bakers have been raving about it lately so I gave it a shot. It worked like a charm, my only recommendation is to start with frozen butter. I halved Dorie’s recipe and cut the dough into 4 tall-ish scones, which baked up perfectly in about 15 minutes.
I know some will disagree, but I think scones require a glaze. For these chocolate chip scones, the combination of coffee and maple syrup (plus some confectioners’ sugar of course) sounded like just the thing to drizzle over the top. The recipe I used is below – I made just enough to glaze my 4 scones so you’ll probably need to double or triple it if you make a full batch.
Normally, scones would not be one of the first things I’d choose in a breakfast spread. I like them, but they’re not a favorite. These scones, however, were really fantastic! Moist and tender with a fluffy texture and pockets of chocolate, they were hard to resist. If you’re looking for a go-to scone recipe, I highly suggest giving this one a try.
Many thanks to Lynne of Cafe Lynnylu who selected the scones this week! She shared the recipe on her blog, or you can find it on page 27 of Baking: From My Home to Yours.
Maple-Coffee Glaze
adapted from Cook’s Illustrated
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon brewed coffee
1/4 teaspoon maple syrup
Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the scones, and let set for about 10 minutes.
Congrats to Shane! That’s a great accomplishment. I’m impressed that you got him to go to Ikea the day after a race like that. I have a hard time getting my husband to go there even during his vacations. It really is an day-long, but so much fun. I love how tall these scones are. They’re beautiful!
When you say you cut the recipe in half to make 4, did you cut the egg in half or just add the whole egg? or a small egg?
Thanks again for coming and watching the race, I had the best cheering section out there!
@snackpig – I used half of a large egg. My rule of thumb for a large egg (without the shell) is 50 g. So, I’ll crack it into a bowl, beat it with a fork to break up the yolk and white, and then use my scale to verify I add 25 g to the recipe. If you don’t have a scale you could probably do the same thing with volume measurements using a measuring cup. Before I had a scale, I used to just eyeball half of the egg too 🙂
You busy, busy girl! The scones are beautiful and with the chocolate chips and glaze, they sound amazing! 🙂
Thanks! I usually use a scale to bake, for some reason it never occured to me to split an egg when I reduce portions and I end up putting in the whole egg. Thanks again. Congrats to Shane!
These sound so yummy Tracey! Great photos on this post too 🙂
ah, I wish I had gone with a glaze too! maybe with the last two?! Smart to go to ikea on a monday- weekends are crazy around there
I love chocolate and I love maple. So the sound of these scones are like the sounds of little harps playing!
And congrats to Shane. I would’ve quit as soon as I got there. There is no way I would do that much biking/swimming/running, whatever.
Yours look great! I’ve never grated butter before. My husband did that once and made a big mess of the kitchen. I love maple anything so that glaze is a winner.
I totally agree, scones are always better glazed. Case closed.
Congrats to hubby. Great accomplishment. Have a great week.
shane is the most impressive person ever!! How does he do it?!?! So cool! and your scones with that glaze look amazing!
I like how tall they are! I like currants, but mini chocolate chips sound like a pretty good substitute.
I’m tired just from looking at those photos of the Ironman!
I can’t normally get excited about scones, but these look so good!
Congrats to Shane!! That is Awesome!! I have run a half marathon, but can’t imagine doing the biking and swimming at the same time!!! We went to IKEA on vacation, nearest one is 4 hrs away – love that place! Scones look wonderful!
I knew there was a reason I waited to make these – coffee glaze! What a great idea. Beautiful scones. Congratulations to Shane!
Ha, you made them even more dessert-y by adding chocolate and frosting! 🙂 That glaze sounds so good.
Wow – a half Ironman! That’s so impressive.
UUmmm!! Glazed scones. Perfect.
Way to go Shane. All those bikes in the first pic. Wow!! There are that many people in RI. HAHA just kidding!!
I have to confess to bringing my scone in and splitting it with three other people so we could all try. I thought this was light and moist and the glaze was great!
I like the addition of chocolate chips too. I still have to go with cranberry orange as my favorite of the scones you’ve made but this was very tasty.
BTW- One of the girls who tried this wanted to know why you don’t sell desserts to a restaurant.
Thanks, as always for sharing.
lovely pictures delicious looking scones
Go Shane! It sounds like a fun extended weekend. I think one of these days I might need to go to Ikea to get a shelf for my cookbooks.
Your scones look lovely with the maple glaze. I also made them sweeter by doubling the sugar.
Wow. Congrats to Shane! I’m always impressed with people who can do these types of races.
I hear you on scones…they aren’t my favorite either, but once and a while I enjoy them. And they are are always better with glaze! I will have to break out my Baking book and gives these a shot.
These scones look perfect… A great snack after a good trip to Ikea. My Ikea trips are always an all day event, too. 🙂
Congrats to Shane!
I know I’m a bit late but congrats to Shane. What an awesome accomplishment. And I love that you make IKEA an all-day event. I should take advantage of the IKEA that’s 5 miles away from me. It’s just that every time I go, I spend all my life savings there!
Btw, I’ve bookmarked and pinned these scones. I’m a bit scone obsessed, and that maple coffee glaze sounds so delectable.