Name: Valentine Chocolate Chip Red Food Coloring Scones Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 260 grams All-Purpose Flour; 50 grams Granulated Sugar; 1 1/4 teaspoons Baking Powder; 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/4 teaspoon Salt; 113 grams Butter (cut into small cubes); 1/2 cup Buttermilk; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 1/2 teaspoon Red Food Coloring; 90 grams Chocolate Chips; Milk, for brushing tops of scones; Tiny sugar hearts, for decoration

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and position a rack in the middle.

Step 2: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4: Cut the butter into small cubes and use a pastry cutter to blend it into the flour mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs.

Step 5: Stir in the chocolate chips, then set the mixture aside.

Step 6: In a small measuring cup, combine the buttermilk and vanilla extract.

Step 7: Add the red food coloring to the buttermilk mixture and whisk until evenly mixed.

Step 8: Pour the colored buttermilk into the flour mixture.

Step 9: Stir gently until the dough just comes together. Avoid over mixing.

Step 10: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a circle about 7 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches thick.

Step 11: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes. Gather any scraps and cut additional hearts.

Step 12: Place the heart-shaped scones on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 13: Brush the tops lightly with milk to help them brown evenly.

Step 14: Decorate with tiny sugar hearts for a festive touch.

Step 15: Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the scones turn golden brown.

Step 16: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the scones cool slightly on a wire rack.

Step 17: Transfer the scones to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 18: Serve warm or at room temperature. These scones are best enjoyed fresh, ideally shortly after baking.

Tips & Variations

For a citrus twist, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the dry ingredients.

Use white chocolate chips or dried cranberries in place of chocolate chips for different flavor profiles.

If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Storage

Store the scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a toaster oven or regular oven at low heat for a few minutes to refresh their texture. They are best enjoyed fresh but can also be frozen before baking for up to 1 month—just bake from frozen and add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a small amount of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes to curdle before using to mimic the acidity of buttermilk.

How do I prevent the scones from becoming dry?

Be careful not to over mix the dough, as this can make scones tough. Also, brushing the tops with milk before baking helps keep them moist and gives a nice golden finish.