Thursday, September 25, 2008

Banana-Date Scones


I've made a lot of healthy muffins in the last year and I think I'm finally getting a bit sick of them. So I went for this healthier scone recipe. At first I wasn't sure whether I liked them, and what I thought of the copious amount of dates but then I grew to really really love them. I don't know how to describe their texture (and how does one describe the texture difference between a muffin - a real muffin not a cupcake muffin - and a scone? I know there's a difference I just can't seem to get the words out.) They had a nice "bite" to them is all I can think to say. They weren't dry but also weren't cakey and soft. In any case, they were delicious and I will be making them again and again. Though next time not with dates as I do not enjoy chopping very sticky dates (yes I could add oil to the knife but I don't want to use extra oil though I guess it wouldn't be that much). So next time I'll use raisins and I'm sure it will be yummy.

I want to find a really healthy scone recipe with no fat but I don't have a lot of experience with scones. Maybe I can use yogurt as a fat replacer? I'm not sure which ingredients are absolutely necessary so they don't become a crumbly mess. With muffins I usually replace the oil/butter with applesauce but I'm not so sure that would work with scones.

Other healthy baked goods:
Applesauce-Oat Bran Muffins
Chocolate Walnut Banana Bread
Mini Pear Loaves
Pumpkin Pecan Raisin Muffins

Banana-Date Scones
Adapted from Veganomicon

My changes were to use all whole wheat flour, a bit less salt, soy milk instead of rice milk and honey instead of brown rice syrup since I didn't have any (so use brown rice syrup for a vegan version). Next time I'll use raisins instead of dates.

8 ounces dates
1 tbsp whole wheat flour
1 cup mashed, very ripe banana
2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
1/3 cup soy milk
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup honey
2 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare two baking sheets (with Silpats, parchment paper, or oil).

Finely chop the dates, place in a small bowl, and sprinkle with 1 tbsp flour. Toss the dates to thoroughly coat with the flour, breaking apart any clumps. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flaxseeds and milk. Whisk in the mashed banana, canola oil and honey. In a separate bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir into the banana mixture until the ingredients are just moistened; the dough will be thick yet sticky. Fold in the chopped dates and walnuts.

Use a 1/2 cup measuring cup or cookie scoop and scoop generous half-cupfuls of dough onto a baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches of space between the scones. Gently pat down the tops of the scones. Bake for 32 to 34 minutes until browned and firm. Transfer from the baking sheets to a cooling rack to completely cooling.

34 comments:

Nicole said...

Scones! Yum.

Deborah said...

I was going to ask if these would be good with raisins, but I believe you've already answered my question! I think these look wonderful, and I applaud you for trying to find healthy recipes.

Elise said...

These look sooo delicious, thanks for my next breakfast!

Rita said...

I love dates, ans combining them with bananas sounds wonderful.... About the ground flaxseed, do you buy them like that or do I need a spice grinder? Do you think I could use wheat germ instead?

Steph said...

Thanks for posting the recipe, I've always wanted to try something from veganomicon. Those sound really healthy, but you can tell they are a yummy healthy!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Ahh, so sorry that your batch didn't come out cakey and soft :0( Try using applesauce or more bananas as a fat replacer - it works wonders for me with that recipe!!

kickpleat said...

i've got dates and bananas! maybe this will make a great breakfast this week. yum!

VeganCowGirl said...

Yummy!
I am a big fan of includng some canned (or fresh/cooked) pumpkin in my date scones....I don't need as much fat, and the taste, which is less sweet than apple sauce, lends itself nicely to the overall taste of the scone.

Yours sound amazing!

Usha said...

This sounds delicious..right up my alley since it is eggless,butterless and sugarless...with whole wheat flour too....great one :)

vibi said...

The bananas probably add a lot of moistness to the scones... and yes, I also hate chopping dates, so that idea of raisins sounds great to me too! I have to try...
By the way, your picture is marvelous! ...it is actually what made me read the whole thing!
Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

wow these sound so good. i just got this cookbook for my birthday and haven't read it yet. i'm always trying to make things healthier, and i think u did a great job of it!

ps-dates are my FAVORITE dried fruit. haha

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

I would say delicious wins over healthy in these scones. Lovely flavours.

Anonymous said...

These look great! I don't have a lot of experience with scones, but I'll definitely have to keep this recipe in mind when I want to make them. I love bananas in baked goods like this.

Anonymous said...

It isn't fun to chop dates, that's for sure, but they're so good... I think I would still try using them! They just work so well with bananas too, it sounds like an awesome healthy scone!

Fitness Foodie said...

I am always looking for new recipes (other than banana bread) to use up my bananas. This one looks great.

Anonymous said...

These look amazing! I like your description of not this, not that--sounds very appealing, in fact. I too, get a bit tired of muffins on occasion--these would be a great change!

Katrina said...

The scones look great! I don't really ever eat scones, but it's because they look so not-healthy and I know what's in them, but these look so good and much more healthy. I also love all things banana. Gotta try these.

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean, muffins are great but sometimes you need a change. Healthy scones sound like a great idea (I'm always on the look out for healthy but also portable snack suggestions)

kg said...

made these this morning - awesome! I halved the recipe which made the perfect number for my house. thanks for all your inspiring recipes!

Sophie said...

Nice adaptations, I like how you made it healthier. I think I'd keep the dates, though, I love how they taste almost like a sweet dessert in and of themselves :).

BOBBI McCORMICK said...

this looks truly scrumptiouse!

Lisa Turner said...

I just love scones but have never made a version like this. A must try.

Snooky doodle said...

these look yummy and they re healthy too :-)

Anonymous said...

these babies are in my oven right now. i wanted to use up some canned pumpkin i had leftover so i used that in place of the banana. the aroma is intoxicating haha

Anonymous said...

I just did my whole post about these! they are amazing! Just had 2 for breakfast.

Mansi said...

I love the flavors in these scones! its like a smaller serving of bana bread:) and now I'm eyeing your sunny bars below!:D

Mansi said...

hey ashley, just sent you an email; please let me know if you got it or it landed in your spam folder!:)

Anonymous said...

I believe you're the only one who can actually make me want to eat a 'healthy' baked good! These look delectable, dearie :)

giz said...

I love this - just gorgeous - any other sweetening agent is so unnecessary when you use dates.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a wonderful healthy scone recipe! Your other healthy baked goods sounds equally delicious!

We would like to feature your scones on our blog and possibly on the first ever digital recipe reader! If interested email haleyglasco@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I always chop my dates using kitchen scissors - they work much better on sticky stuff than a knife. Try it!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recipe!

I live in Costa Rica and happened to have dates from a recent trip to palm desert, L.A. I also added some chopped up peeled and roasted cacao beans, which add a crunch and a bit of tartness. My boyfriend thought it could use less baking powder. Yum. I will have to keep checking your site.

eatme_delicious said...

Anonymous: The cacao beans sound like a great addition! Glad you liked these. =)

Anonymous said...

These look great! I just finished preparing what ingredients I can do the night before, so I can stumble out of bed and bake them when I wake up tomorrow morning. For those of you who professed your dislike for chopping dates- the secret is to use a scissors instead of a knife. A good pair of kitchen scissors does wonders for any sort of sticky food that needs choppin' :o)