Friday, March 25, 2011

Peppered Pear and Goat Cheese Scones


I could eat scones everyday. However I try to mix them up with lots of healthy muffins. And then sometimes I try and take not so healthy scones like this one and make them healthier. Sometimes it fails, like this time. (Other times it doesn't, like with these dill cheese scones.) I didn't even change that much - I just tried to use half whole wheat flour. And the scones turned out dry.

So of course I had to make them again, the original way. And while the unbaked dough was still really crumbly and hard to form into mounds, the resulting scones were soft and moist with nice crisp edges. The flavour combination in these scones - pepper, pear, goat cheese - was wonderful. I love pepper in savoury baked goods. So while it all worked out in the end and I did like the scones, I won't likely be making them again because I don't know about you, but crumbly dough really aggravates me!


Abby's new favourite sleeping spot (the back of a couch cushion).


If this sounds good, you might also like:
Tomato Rosemary Scones
A Dilly of a Cheese Scone
Cheddar and Black Pepper Scones
Apple Cheddar Scones

Peppered Pear and Goat Cheese Scones
Adapted from Savory Baking

Makes 6 scones

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 medium pear, peeled, cored, and diced
4 ounces goat cheese, broken into large walnut-size pieces
1/2 cup 2% plain yogurt
2 tbsp milk

Preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Put the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and stir together. Add the butter and break it into pea-size pieces with your fingertips. Sprinkle the pear pieces and crumbled goat cheese over the top of the flour mixture and gently toss together, being careful not to break the cheese into smaller pieces.

Soften the yogurt by whisking in the milk. Pour the yogurt over the flour mixture and gently blend the ingredients together with a spatula, being careful not to break up the cheese. The dough may look slightly dry, but it will produce a moist scone. Divide the dough into six equal mounds on the baking sheet, leaving about a 1inch space between each to allow for slight spreading.

Place the baking pan in the center of the oven and bake until lightly brown, about 25 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the scones on a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

12 comments:

janet @ the taste space said...

I find it so impressive how much you enjoy scones. I don't think I have tried the one to win me over just yet... I find them mostly dry. But I totally hear you about not liking crumbly dough. Boo!

Johanna GGG said...

hate crumbly dough but love the flavours - would be tempted to try this as a muffin - am sure the flavours would translate magnificently

Hannah said...

Yes! I'm also a fan of peppered baked goods, and I like the whole sweet-and-savory thing you've got going on here. Sounds wonderful!

Joanne said...

Totally agree with you - crumbly dough is SO not worth it, especially when there are so many better doughs out there! I love the flavors in these though!

Becky said...

I can't believe you posted this. I was seriously thinking last night, "I wonder if there's such a recipe for goat cheese scones.." (b/c I love savoury pastries). No joke! And b/c I have exactly 4oz of goat cheese in my fridge to use up :) I think we're totally on the same wavelength - germophobes & health food freaks unite :) lol.

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

Delicious scones with goat cheese. First time I see a recipe like this one.

andreadevon said...

my internet is terrily slow and i've been missing out on my favorite blogs... i was stoked to open your blog and see so many delicious recipes all on one page! yay, delicious... love your stuff, and can't wait to make some goat cheese scones :)aloha

kimberleyblue said...

The pear in there sounds wonderful! I'm not a big scone fan, but anything with goat cheese and pear sounds bake-worthy.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

I've really been on a sweet-savory kick lately and discovered that I love goat cheese. Mostly I've been pairing it with caramelized onions in pizza but peppered pear sounds amazing! Gotta try that soon.

Lisa Turner said...

Always love your scone recipes. This one is a must try for sure.

TheGourmetCoffeeGuy said...

We tried this recipe as muffins and have to tell you they turned out great! The combination of pear and goat cheese is delicious. The "muffins" were moist and everyone enjoyed them very much. Thank you for the suggestion.

Meg Luby said...

what an unusal combo! this looks seriously great! thanks for sharing, lots of love happening for this and all your posts :)
-meg
@ http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com