Monday, September 1, 2008

The Last of the Bananas

"Sarah, you can have those two bananas on the counter... they're over-ripe. Maybe make banana bread or something and I'll take it into work with me" - My Mom, yesterday.

Okay! But banana bread? Good, tasty and all, but booooring! Besides, I had made it before and again and again and again! Time for something different, something elegant and (most importantly) something to use up more of the pantry explosion. Into the cupboards I go, and staring at me - right at me - is a nice big sack of chocolate chips. Mmm, bananas and chocolate! I knew I still had some butter in the fridge, all nice and rock-hard (cookies were out of the question!) and it gave me... scones!

The best part about these scones is that they can be whipped up in 15 minutes (tops) and baked off in another 15. They freeze, reheat and travel beautifully and are so moist and rich that you don't need to put anything on them (though, a spot of peanut butter never hurt anything...).

Banana-Oat Scones
Serves 12
1 1/4 cups spelt flour (use whole-wheat if you don't have spelt on hand)
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (not quick or instant)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 oz cold butter, cubed
2 over-ripe bananas
2 tbsp whole milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp honey
1/3 cup miniature, semisweet chocolate chips

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet.
  2. Stir the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
  3. Cut in the butter until the mixture looks mealy.
  4. Mash the bananas with milk, vanilla, sugar and honey.
  5. Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until partially combined.
  6. Turn out onto a lightly floured counter and knead until the dough just holds together.
  7. Pat into a 3/4" thick circle.
  8. Cut into 12 wedges.
  9. Bake for 14 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and cool slightly (if you don't devour them first!).
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 184.7
Total Fat: 7.8 g
Cholesterol: 15.5 mg
Sodium: 77.5 mg
Total Carbs: 27.5 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.8 g
Protein: 3.5 g

I know these will be a hit at work, since many of the employees are working odd (and usually early) hours and don't necessarily have breakfast before coming in. Not only that, but every time chocolate makes an appearance the goodies barely have a chance to be put on the coffee room table before they're gone! In fact, my mom's already had one - not even completely cooled - and she gushed about them for pretty much the rest of the night!

On a sad note, summer break's over :-(. I'm off to college tomorrow morning to try and fill my mind with all there is to know about Food and Nutrition Management. Doesn't that sound exciting...

4 comments :

  1. I love scones! These just look irresistible--how can you go wrong with bananas and chocolate? :)

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  2. You know what? We made just about the same thing this evening - before reading this post! Great minds?

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  3. hey these sound so awesome.. amazing post my fiacee!!!!

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  4. Wow...what a great combination. The scones look so tasty!

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Thanks for the feedback!