This weekend, my family and I were invited to high tea with some friends from across the pond. I offered to bring a treat, so what could be more natural than scones?
Perhaps my British friends don’t do triple chocolate scones often, if ever. But there’s a first time for everything, and these deserve a lot of attention.
The base for these scones is cream, which works with butter to make these light as a feather while still full of rich chocolate flavor. Maybe people are out barbecuing this Labor Day weekend, but we’re having tea and scones instead!
Since I always approach my blog with pure honesty, it’s time to get real here: I’ve been struggling ever since I started my new job back in July.
As I watch my blog numbers and stats drop, I know exactly what’s going on. I just don’t have time anymore for a lot of the social networking and publicity piece that JAB needs to get more readers. It’s been hard enough to keep the posts going in the face of running a department, and I’m just trying to keep my head above water while being pulled in a million different directions every day. During my work day, I can’t work on the blog, and my hours are now a lot longer. So the blog has to be done either early in the morning or late at night.
For now, I’m holding onto JAB because I love it. And while I feel bad that my Facebook and Twitter shares are pretty paltry, and that I’m commenting less on my friends’ blogs, I don’t really see another way. Unless I want to work around the clock and ignore my children, my husband and my sleep, this is where we’re at right now. It’s not ideal, but I’m learning to live with less than perfect. It’s hard, because I’m a perfectionist. But I figure that holding onto JAB any way I can is better than giving it up entirely.
How could I give up the motivating force for baking scones, after all? These are super special.
The base has unsweetened cocoa, and the mini chocolate chips sprinkle more bursts of chocolate flavor throughout. And of course, these have to be topped with chocolate drizzle. The best baked goods have drizzle!
While many baking bloggers are die-hard frozen shaved butter fans when it comes to scones, I really dislike working with frozen butter. Cold butter does the trick just as nicely, and takes all the hard work out of making these. Scones are a one-bowl, mix with your hands kind of dessert. Anyone can do this!
As I navigate a life that is way too hectic and leaves no room for anything but work and family time, I will try to bring you the best I can. I’m sorry if it’s not perfect, or even close to perfect. But for now, it’s all I can do!
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoons salt
5 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (with an additional 1/4 cup for melting and drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400. Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the cold butter and using the tips of your fingers, pinch the butter into the dry mixture until crumbs of varying sizes form.
- Add the egg and cream, using a fork to stir them in until a dough forms. You can use your hands or the fork to knead lightly until the dough is fully formed.
- Gently mix in the mini chocolate chips with your hands.
- Turn the dough out onto your prepared cookie sheet, pressing it into a circle that is about six inches in diameter.
- Cut the dough into six wedges. Bake for around 20 minutes until the scones are crispy at the edges.
- Melt the 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips carefully in the microwave in 30-second intervals, being careful not to overheat them. Using a spoon, drizzle the melted chocolate over the scones.
- Cool the scones until the chocolate hardens. Serve or store in an airtight container.
3.1
https://justaboutbaked.com/triple-chocolate-scones/
Guuuurl, I don’t know how you do your job and blog PERIOD. So trust and believe, I am giving you ALL the props from over here at the SuBourbon Country Cottage! *Insert bowing down at your ability to juggle, here* You gotta do what you gotta do, Mir, and if you have to cut back on certain aspect of the blog, then DO THAT. Lord knows you gotta keep your sanity, and your family should ABSOLUTELY come first!!!! I will still be a loyal follower regardless!! <3 Anyways, scones! Look at you all fancy with your high tea invite! Bringing scones is totally necessary and I love that you decided to fancy it up with TRIPLE CHOCOLATE! Woot woot! These are all sorts of awesome! Boy loves scones (almost as much as me), so I MUST make him these! Cheers, girlfriend – to your sanity! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Brown Butter Orecchiette with Bacon, Corn & Goat Cheese
Yeah, it’s all about maintaining sanity right now and not making any rash decisions. Thanks always for your support, and know that you are always a bright spot in my day!
Mir! Listen carefully: There is no single definition of perfect! Re-define it. Be kind to yourself! Look at all you DO accomplish. I decided a while ago, after too much agonizing over how to fit too much into the limited 24 hours we are given each day, that I had to put people first, even if that meant my blog would just have to grow more slowly (or not at all). Life is WAY to short. Personally, I don’t think I would ever look back and say with regret, “Too bad my blog stayed smaller while I was spending my time with my family and those I love.” Kids are small for only a moment. Even though I have adult kids, I don’t want to turn down opportunities to go out with my daughter or spend the weekend with my son, because I have too much blog work to do. You were given a time consuming promotion because you have a gift to share with your department and students. Go for it and share scones when you can! 🙂 I am guessing, that your readers will still be here and will adjust quite well to your less frequent posts. p.s. These scones look amazing! I bet your British friends were delighted with this American twist (improvement? 😉 ) to their British scones!
Wendy recently posted…Ultimate Fudge Brownie Cookies
Wendy, you are full of good advice always. And this is no exception. I will work on accentuating the positive and putting people above all. Such a wise way to put it all in perspective! Thanks for all the help. It means a lot to me!
Blogs are for fun! You have an amazing full time job and while it’s pretty awesome to have high viewership and make some cash from your mad baking skills, living your life in the real world always takes priority!! I totally feel you about numbers dropping… school makes it so hard to keep everything running at the highest capacity, and it’s kinda disappointing. But we can’t be superhuman! And honestly, no matter how infrequently you post, your dessert never fail to inspire me and make me DROOL. Rock on, because what you’re doing is awesome, however much time and energy you can contribute to it!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Vegan + GF Fajita Tofu Scramble for One!
Real world is important. And you’re right, we can’t be superhuman. Thanks for understanding, Medha!
Oh Mir – I hear you, but I so hope you keep going, but on the pace that you can. My friend Kristen over at Dine and Dish JUST wrote a great post about slow blogging: http://dineanddish.net/2016/08/slow-blogging-movement/ I really loved it/related to it. Numbers are always a challenge in the summer, but the need for social media and everything that goes with it – I feel you. Do it when you can – we will be here and always so happy to see your posts! (Especially when they have the words “triple chocolate” in them. xoxoxoxo!
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Buffalo Style Hot Dogs
I just checked out that post. So cool. Thanks for sharing it, Kate! The social media piece is always the hardest for me, but I will keep doing what keeps me sane! Thanks!
Mir, I think I echo what everyone else is saying here. . you are doing it right .. doing your job, spending time with your kids and being a mother, working, and a wife! If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about the numbers or sharing or any of it. As long as you still enjoy it, do it when you have the time. Don’t kill yourself. Our well being is so important! and these scones!!! THANK YOU for sharing them! Unbelievable!!! I hope you have a terrific week!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Roasted Beet Hummus
Enjoying it is the most important part. Thanks to you and everyone else, I have things a little more in perspective now. I appreciate all of the support so much!
Mir, I love sweets & baking, peanut butter & chocolate, and always look forward to your new posts & recipes!!! Your blog is one that I always check out. I don’t do FB, Twitter, Instagram or any of those….Do what you love & what works in your life, and don’t feel guilty! You obviously have a following, and a special gift & talent!!!! And, congrats on your new job! I wish I could successfully juggle as much as you do 🙂
Aww, Cindy, thanks. That means SO much to me, really. I will think of what you said and use it as inspiration to continue from here. Thanks for much for the support and for reading!
I love your honesty, Mir. It’s hard to blog and get everything else done, too. Take breaks when you need to and snack on lots of these scones 😉 They look phenomenal!
Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Pumpkin Banana Muffins
Breaks are phenomenal. I want some more. 🙂 Thanks, Megan!
I wish someone would have warned me how much work blogging is before I got down to it. It’s HARD WORK! It’s basically like a second job, especially if you want to monetize off of it. Social media – don’t even get me started! I know exactly how you feel – I work full time and my blog always takes the backseat 🙁 hopefully one of these days we can make our blogs our (massively profitable and highly successful and fun) jobs. These scones look perfectly chocolaty, everything I’m looking for in a breakfast treat.
Take your time getting back to the blog, we’ll be here when you come back 🙂 I have your posts in my feed reader so I never miss one.
Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss recently posted…Sit and Chat Saturday 7
Seriously. If I’d known, not sure if I still would have done it. But here I am, and it’s still a lot of fun. So thanks for sharing your thoughts, and for having me in your feed. Means a lot, Jessica!
Mir, it’s amazing how you manage your work and blog so well. I think you are doing whatever you can do (in fact more than that!) so don’t stress over it. I hate social media, such a necessary evil though! We are all here to support you! these scones sound amazing! triple chocolate = more the fun!
Manali@CookWithManali recently posted…Veggie Lovers Baked Pasta
Thanks, Manali! Social media is tough. I’m lucky to have you all here to support me!
to a well-balanced life! i definitely feel you about how stats just seem to drop off if you’re not going 2834% all the time, but i’ve come to realize that other things are more of a priority to me than getting the biggest blog following ever. i think you’ve come to that too (:
anyways, these scones sound and look amazing! anything triple chocolate works in my book.
heather (delicious not gorgeous) recently posted…Cherry, Corn and Grilled Zucchini Salad
It’s tough keeping those numbers up, so I just have to do work I’m proud of! Thanks, Heather!
just by reading your posts on your blog i found that you’re a super sweet girl, Mir. your cakes are always great. yesterday when i was reading your post, my kid stand by me and he didn’t stop asking me to make some cake like those on your pictures. just want to say your recipe is very nice.
Pat C.Wilson recently posted…What is the Difference Between Coffee and Espresso: We’ll Let You Know!
Mir, I really love this blog. I support your idea that mixing with hands is fun and enjoyable. I also dislike working with frozen butter. Have a nice weekend, Mir.
Thanks, Sabrina. That means so much to me!