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From Daryl
It's the holidays. You deserve a gift for you. So I'm doing a book GIVEAWAY today - winner's choice. See below.
I don't know about you, but I always like something sweet on Christmas morning. I often make muffins or coffee cakes and I have a specialty chocolate orange bundt cake that is divine and slices up like a dream. There's just something about having something sweet, with a good cup of coffee, and sitting around watching the kids open presents that warms me to my toes.
But I don't want a lot of fuss in the morning. Whatever I make has to be easy to put together and cook up quickly so it's ready to go when everyone arrives.
Everyone? Okay, this year, it's just one family with three little boys. Not a huge crowd! We're all quarantining for 10 days before the holiday so we can gather safely. I want the day to be as special as possible. I can't wait for a few hugs.
So I came up with a delicious scone that is perfect for the holidays. They are drizzled with an easy glaze. I adore glaze!!
I made mine gluten-free, but of course, you can use regular flour to make yours. Just swap out the flours and you can omit xanthan gum, whey powder and psyllium powder. These ingredients give gluten-free flour "structure" and are mighty helpful in baking.
*FYI, I made a half recipe (in the photos below)
Enjoy however you are going to celebrate this year. Be safe.
SPICY APPLE BLUEBERRY HOLIDAY GLUTEN-FREE SCONES
2 cups of gluten-free flour
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 tablespoon whey powder
1 tablespoon psyllium powder
1/3 cup of sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup of cold butter or margarine
1 cup of apple, chopped finely or shredded
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup blueberries
more GF flour, if necessary
1 tablespoon brown sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling if desired
Ingredients for glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees. Combine all of your dry ingredients, and mix them together well. If you like spicier scones, add another 1/2 tsp cinnamon, or better yet, some nutmeg or cloves.
Cut in the 1/4 cup or margarine or butter.
Chop or shred your apple. Add the apple and blueberries, then the milk and mix until they form a soft dough. Add a bit of flour if the dough is too sticky, it really depends on how moist your shredded apple is.
Knead a few times, working some extra flour into it until it is barely sticky. Divide into two balls of dough.
Flatten until they are two circles that are about 6 inches in diameter. If you like, scour lines on the top to divide them into 6 pieces.
Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and sprinkle them with brown sugar and/or cinnamon.
Pop into the oven and bake for 15- 20 minutes until they are golden brown. Remove and cool.
When the scones are cooled, whisk together the glaze ingredients until they are smooth. Drizzle over the scones then let harden completely.
*IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THESE USING REGULAR FLOUR, SWAP OUT THE FLOUR AND OMIT THE PSYLLIUM POWDER AND XANTHAN GUM.
in trade paperback and e-book and audio.
Don't forget to order the 9th book in the
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Thank you for the recipe for SPICY APPLE BLUEBERRY HOLIDAY GLUTEN-FREE SCONES. Just in recent years I had a BFF introduce me to scones and now I can't get enough of them. I love the way you can change up the flavors and go from sweet to savory with them. I will be trying this recipe - and soon.
ReplyDeleteOver the years our holiday has changed due to both age and health. We use to have at least seven trees in the house complete with a large Christmas train set up around the entire living room as well as the yard decorated. A few years back we sold out, down moved to our dream destination and greatly downsized when we build our new home. Now I have a small chihuahua tree for our furbaby and a little tree that I change our themes on each year with all the ornaments we have and I still have a little kitchen theme tree that I put as the center piece on the table.
Both bubby and I love to bake. We carry on the tradition my Mom had for so many years in baking up a lot of the tried and true passed down holiday recipes as well as experiment with a few new ones trying to add to my list of basic recipes. Then we make up goodies boxes with an assortment of the kitchens bounty and share them with family, friends, shut ins and others that we feel may need a lift or needed knowledge from others that their lives are important and may need a friendly gesture lift. This year delivery of the goodies has been challenging, but we have still be able to drop off deliver several boxes.
We love watching the holiday movies - both the new ones and the old ones that we seem to be on our must see list every year. We have been doing a lot more of that this year since so many events have been cancelled or we feel uncomfortable going do to age and health issues.
Most of all, we made sure to remember the reason for the season when we received the most wondrous gift of all.
Thank you for the chance to win one of your fabulous books! Shared and hoping to be the very fortunate one selected.
Be safe, stay healthy and have a little adventure along the way - even if through the pages of a good book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Kay, what a lovely account. I love that you bake and give those goodies to those you love to show you care. It says so much about the season. Giving of oneself. Being selfless. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face. Bless you.
DeleteI love making scones, both sweet and savoury. I do have a recipe for blueberry scones but your spicy apple and blueberry scone recipe sounds good and I will make it with AP flour.
ReplyDeleteDO NOT include in the drawing for the book since I am not eligible.
Fortunately, I have enjoyed reading most of the books in your different series so it would be good to give someone else a chance to win.
Happy holidays!
Grace, that is sweet of you. I hope you enjoy the scones and thanks for being a fan. I truly appreciate the support.
DeleteWelcome today. Thanks for this wonderful recipe. I started a tradition when our first born was almost one. We had scrambled eggs with coffee cake from Bisquick. Either Cherry or Blueberry. And it stayed. When the kids started enjoying to cook, they took over making Christmas breakfast. And they would make one of each. Smart idea. Now we had coffee cake for the next few days. They are now 36 and 34 and still do this at their own homes. I would love to read: Shredding The Evidence. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteLori, that is so sweet. The Bisquick coffee cake recipe is delicious and now Bisquick makes a GF mix so even I can still enjoy the lovely flavor I remember as a girl.
DeleteScones are so delectable and these look especially yummy. With tea just a perfect treat. Your books are captivating and intriguing. Wishing you a wonderful holiday. We lit the menorah, ate latkes, and enjoyed giving gifts to the little ones. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Traveler. I hope your Hanukkah was filled with light and hope.
DeleteI love scones, but I'm not great at making biscuit-like treats. I don't have a gentle hand and they always turn out slightly tough (but still tasty!).
ReplyDeleteMy holidays are pretty simple: my husband and I host, my family comes over to eat a LOT, and we play games afterward. According to my brothers' and cousins' partners, we're a very competitive family :)
Mia, that's funny. Having a competitive family can be fun and challenging all at the same time. As for scones, yes, over-mixing or over "rolling out the dough" can cause toughness. Try adding an extra teaspoon of baking powder to lighten the texture.
DeleteThis recipe is great! Scones are a favorite baked goodie which I look forward to and now I will make these. I would love to read Cold Conviction. Our holidays will be spent with the grandchildren who we see often and give us wonderful days filled with love. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletePetite, I love that you find such joy with your grandchildren. Aren't they fun to have around? They abound with energy!
DeleteOur Christmas is wonderful! We dig out all the ornaments and decorations and remember the friends and family who gave each one to us. We have a nice supper of ham, green bean casserole, and cheesy potatoes. Our Christmas Eve tradition became enchiladas 40 some years ago when I learned to make them in high school home-ec. I have no idea why we made them for Christmas Eve, though. It's a mystery. :) I would love to win Shredding the Evidence, please. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteAw, what a special memory thinking about how you got each ornament. I do that too. As for enchiladas! Yum! That sounds like a fun and easy Eve tradition.
DeleteOur celebration is to have family together to open presents, sit by the fireplace, have jolly conversations. It will be smaller this year since some of the family are not able to travel. It will still be merry since I have a very positive minded family. I am lucky
ReplyDeletejwisley(at)aol(dot)com
Joye, I'm glad the family is upbeat. That's what we need during this time of woe. Looking ahead. Doing what we can to help the present. Have fun with the fam.
DeleteI'm excited to finally have a Christmas off work. I've got my tiny tree decorated and put up where my cat can't get to it. I still need to finish wrapping presents, preferably while watching Christmas movies, and plan Christmas dinner. This weekend I'll deliver the afghans we made for our neighbors. Looking forward to having a nice relaxing holiday for a change.
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oh, sweet, Alicia. You made afghans? What a terrific talent and special gift. And, um, there's a place your cat cannot get to? On the roof maybe? LOL Have fun.
DeleteThis year our holidays are very simple. Between COVID and my first grand baby being just born we are doing small. It’s steaks and sides at my daughters with us doing cooking and clean up.
ReplyDeleteFirst grandbaby! Yay for you!
DeleteThis year it will just be a small get together.
ReplyDeleteim2early4u(at)gmail(for)com
These sound lovely.
ReplyDelete"2 cups of gluten-free" I assume you mean flour.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Libby, you must be seeing things. Of course I wrote flour. NOT. Oh, my. Feeling ashamed! LOL
DeleteOr not seeing things, as the case may be. ;o)
DeleteOur holidays are busy even with the covid as we mail every little person on our lists an advent calander and also a holiday hallmark christmas book and there are 20 kids. Those are grandkids we have 10 between Ca and Ia and Mi. Then little ones that we have met and have been on our holiday list that is for almost all holidays we send out Val Easter etc most of them a card and a little cash but yes I was a former foster child in an abusive home and I want all kids to know that someone always thinks of them so we have done that for many years even before hubby and i got married but especially when i started getting wonderful grandkids and meeting kids at church and they are so cute and innocent so i want their life to be excited when the mailman comes. peggy clayton ptclayton2 at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteWow, 20 kids! Peggy, I love that you want to take care of them as you wished you had been taken care of. That is so special. Bless you for your big kind heart! And hubby too.
DeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year! I love scones, but I have never made my own. Maybe this year. It's going to be a really quiet Christmas this year, just me and my Sister and our furbabbies. We are just giving each other instead of gifts. Hopefully next year will be back to normal.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Hopefully, Dianne. Hopefully.
DeleteThis year, Christmas will be all about getting together virtually. When my four year old grandson is ready to open his gifts, my daughter-in-law will contact everyone (scattered across the country), and we will celebrate our love for each other. Where there is love, love finds a way.
ReplyDeleteLisacobblestone(at)aol(dot)com
Lisa, virtually is where it's at. Can you imagine 100 years ago facing this? I can't.
DeleteHappy Holidays! These scones look perfect for Christmas morning. I will be alone, but will share goodies with other friends near me. Thanks for the chance to win a book. I would choose Shredding the Evidence. ljbonkoski@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLori, glad you have friends near you.
DeleteI would usually eat with my mother and my son. Maybe other relatives but it depends on work schedules. Then open gifts. Baking goodies for my moms friends a few days before Christmas. Thanks for the chance. jlb12563@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteBaking for your mom and friends sounds lovely.
DeleteI usually host the holiday dinners and festivities. Lots of cooking, shopping and decorating. Love having my family together at the holidays. We celebrate my brother's birthday on Christmas eve and Christmas day we open gifts. One year we opened presents over a couple days since there were so many. Saamm7(at)msn(dot).com
ReplyDeleteWow, a couple of days of presents? I can't imagine.
DeleteOur holidays are mostly cooking eating eating and more eating then we play games and get loud trying to win games- we also exchange gifts - autumn_02@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteAw, fun!
DeleteMy holidays are pretty quiet since there's only me and Pepper. I'll make dinner and she'll get her gifts from Santa and we'll curl up with a book and a blanket. 3labsmom@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI wish Sparky would curl up. He'll sit beside me but won't "curl." :)
DeleteI will spend some time with my daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. Good food, gifts, games and movies will be the main components. cbrusegar@aol.com
ReplyDeleteNice, Carol. I've got to pick a movie for that night.
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My holiday is small this year. Just my mom and I. My brother past in January from a heart condition and she had open heart surgery five days later. My sister moved to Colorodo where her son lives and is closer to her second born daughter and all of her grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteMom and I will be ordering Chinese from our favorite restaurant and watching Christmas movies. My kids live far away. She and I agree the last ten years the holidays have dwindled to us. Two old birds calling at the tv! Hahahah
Chinese makes me smile. That's how my husband's family did the holidays. Be safe.
DeleteOur holiday is almost over. Tonight is the seventh night of Chanukah. It’s been lovely so far since all my babies are home, and we’ve been lighting the candles together every night. I will be sad when it’s over!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I'm glad you were able to share with the family. Be safe.
DeleteOur holiday isn't really getting off the ground this year. My mom is recently home from rehab after being ill (including Covid) for a few months. She's just not up to celebrating much. Plus things are very tight financially. So we're pretty much just watching favorite movies, listening to Christmas music, and hoping things get better soon. Sorry if this got depressing. That wasn't my intention.
ReplyDeleteThank you for offering us all the chance to win. Blackfur1129(at)aol(dot)com
Meg, I think you are in the same boat with so many. This has been a tragic year and the season isn't quite what it should be. May your mom recover well and may the music and movie lift your spirits. Hang tough.
DeleteMeg, you have won this giveaway by random number selector. I'll email you for your info. Congrats.
DeleteUsually the whole extended family gets together and we also celebrate my sister's birthday. This year everyone is celebrating in their own homes, so much much smaller. wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHope you can zoom or at least chat on the phone.
DeleteThis year we are having a quiet Christmas Eve meal with our small immediate family "bubble".
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
You need to have a bubble. Good for you, Nancy.
DeleteHi Daryl! Usually Christmas means getting together as a family for Christmas Eve dinner and opening presents. When I was little, it also included my grandparents. I would love to win Shredding the Evidence! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteLinda, that sounds like the way my Christmas was when I was little. We went here and there to celebrate.
DeleteChristmas will be smaller this year, since most family will not be able to get together. I'm sad that I won't be able to see all the family, but I'm kinda glad that it will be quieter.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Jana, we make do, don't we? Quieter is not necessarily a bad thing. Take time for yourself.
DeleteLooking forward to reading these.
ReplyDeleteThat recipe sounds great and the scones looks delicious!! We hope to have most of the family here at some time during the holidays, but won’t all be together at the same time. Just thankful for who we can see and get together with. Hopefully next year will be a better year for everyone! Happy Holidays!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, please be safe as people come and go.
DeleteI love scones! My holidays this year are probably like everyone else's this year -- scaled down considerably. Just myself and two kids.
ReplyDeletedigicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
Carolsue, that's the right word. Scaled down. Enjoy what you can.
DeleteCool! Normally our holidays are just my older son and his family, my younger son, my DIL’s mom and stepdad and me. This year it’s just my younger son and and me due to Covid. We’ll have our presents and dinner before he works 6-10p. I was planning a special roast, but my sister just said she’s sending me a Honeybaked Ham. I’m planning to do a breakfast casserole for Christmas brunch before my son then has to work 2-10p. I’m going to Zoom with the grandsons in the morning for presents and at some point with my sisters. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteKara, lots of essential workers, I see. Be safe and enjoy them when you have them with you.
DeleteOur holidays are usually filled with fun, family and food, but this year will be different. We'll be very low-key and laid back this year. Not really sure what this year will look like yet. kkcochran (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteKristin, I hear you. Not sure what mine will look like either.
DeleteWe usually celebrate Christmas with my parents on a day near 25 December where we share a meal & exchange gifts. A dear friend comes by my parents' house & we exchange gifts with her.
ReplyDeleteI also get together with my BFF (although we're more like sisters than just friends) on a different day close to Christmas. We have coffee, talk, & exchange gifts. We always have a great time together.
On the day, it's just the 5 of us (husband, 3 kids, & I), this year, though, there will be 6 of us since Ozzy, the sweetest cat I've ever met joined our family last year on 27 December. We'll open gifts in the morning, make something special for breakfast. We haven't planned the menu, yet. We do a modest lunch & a big, holiday dinner. We watch Christmas movies & the kids play with their new toys during the day & evening. I also try to call or text family & close friends to wish them a Merry Christmas, although I do sometimes call family in other states a day or two before Christmas as it can be difficult to get through on Christmas day.
Carsonsmum@gmail.com
Aw, Maria, enjoy a first Christmas with Ozzy! What fun.
DeleteThe winner of this giveaway by random selection is Meg C. I'll email you for your info. Thanks to all for sharing your special stories! Be safe and be as merry as you can.
ReplyDelete