I love vanilla bean EVERYTHING. With that said, I do hate scraping vanilla beans out (see here). It's worth it for the flavor though!
In addition to loving vanilla bean flavor, I also have a healthy love of baked goods. I love trying new items and testing their flavors. For a while now, I've been crushing on the adorable-ness of Starbucks' vanilla bean scones. I love scones, and they make the cutest mini ones.
You too can make them at home! It's fairly easy and requires less than an hour of your time.
Bourbon Vanilla Bean Scones
1 c. organic whole wheat pastry flour or organic white flour
1 c. bread flour (I think this is the secret - don't skip this ingredient!)
1 1/2 T. organic cane sugar
1 T. baking powder, aluminum-free
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
6 T. organic non-hydrogenated shortening, like Spectrum
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out
1/2 c. almond milk, or other non-dairy milk
1/4 c. vanilla-infused bourbon (learn more about infusing your own liquor!)
Vanilla Bean Glaze
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out
1/2 c. powdered sugar (vegan)
a few tablespoons of water
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425°. If you want to make drop scones, follow this recipe for baking the dough. If you are baking them into triangles, grease a springform pan with coconut oil or shortening. This recipe makes eight scones.
In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, sea salt, baking soda, vanilla bean seeds, and shortening. Process the ingredients until the dough resembles a meal. Add the liquid ingredients and pulse a few times. The dough should look like a thick batter.
Using slightly wet hands, press the scone dough into the springform pan and smooth it out. Wet your hands as needed. The scones will retain the shape you make them here. Freeze the dough/pan for 30 minutes.
When it's ready, take the pan out of the freezer and open it. Make eight cuts into the dough and place each scones onto a parchment-lined pan. Because the dough is frozen-ish, it should cut easily.
Bake the scones for about 15-18 minutes.
When the scones have cooled completely, mix the glaze ingredients until the consistency resembles Elmer's Glue. You'll also see beautiful vanilla bean flecks in the glaze! I glazed mine a few different ways, but I thought they looked the best completely covered in it.
Enjoy these beautiful scones at your next brunch session :-)
Cheers,
-Aileen