Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones

 

My sister-in-law must be psychic.  I made these scones just when she requests a recipe for anything coffee flavored.  I didn’t want to waste any time posting this for her, and well, all of the rest of you that are just a little bit addicted to the brew!  I don’t blame her one bit, but usually prefer my coffee, in any form, accompanied by chocolate.  Truthfully, I prefer just about anything accompanied by chocolate…hence, these scones.

Yes, for those of you who follow this blog regularly, this recipe was part of my ‘scone phase’.  My husband especially was beyond thrilled when I started to develop a recipe for a coffee pastry, but I surprised myself by dreaming about them in my sleep.  If I was a fan before, I am a down right stalker now!  Everything changed when I decided to add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and my test testers (and a few lucky ladies at the local salon) agreed.  Honestly, I feel like there may still be something missing with them, but I eat them too fast to really contemplate changing the recipe any time soon.  And once I came up with a combo that worked, I stuck with it.  These are moist, decadent, and the perfect treat to serve with brunch.  I wonder how well they would ship to my sister-in-law in MN…

Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones
Recipe modified 7/24/12
The key is to work the dough as little as possible, and you will have a tender scone.  However, this recipe is pretty forgiving so don’t stress out about it.  If you find the dough a little dry at first, let it rest a minute to allow the liquid to absorb some of the flour and then continue.

2 c flour
1 T cocoa
1/3 c sugar
1 T baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 c chocolate chips
1 1/4 c c heavy cream
1 tsp instant coffee powder

In a large liquid measuring cup, combine the cream and instant coffee.  Set aside, stirring occasionally to dissolve the powder.  In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients.  Add chocolate chips.  Pour the cream and coffee mixture in (I scrape the cup with a rubber spatula to get every drop!) and stir carefully with a fork, just until clumps start to form.  With clean hands, gather the dough together in a ball, turning and pressing to mix it completely, but as gently as possible.  Put the dough onto a sheet pan covered with parchment paper and flatten into a large disc about an inch and a half thick.  With a knife, cut the dough into 8 pie shaped pieces and separate evenly on the pan.  Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes, or until raised and evenly golden brown.  *Optional:  Before popping the pan in the oven, brush the tops of the scones with a bit more cream and sprinkle with sugar.