How about something a little bit, but not too sweet today?

That’s one of the things I like most about scones, they’re really good at toeing that line between breakfast items and dessert. Come to think of it, that’s probably why you don’t feel quite so guilty enjoying them with your morning coffee and yet they also make a marvelous dessert when the occasion calls for them.

I feel like I’ve said this before, but I’ve always felt like scones have sort of a bad rep for being dry and tasteless. At least, that’s how it seems to be in my circles. But you know what, I also feel like they don’t have to be. Can we all just agree to give them a second chance? I think it’s only fair because if there was ever a scone that could change the general consensus for all of its fellow scone flavors, this is the one.

I’ve tried quite a few different scone recipes before and each one had its own merits and drawbacks but I have to say these are probably the best ones ever! Seriously, my whole family gave rave reviews and devoured every last one of them within the same day I’d made them. They were, needless to say, a huge hit.

Enter: these oh-so-delicious Chocolate Hazelnut Scones accessorized by their delightful “Nutella” Glaze! Omg, the texture that they have when you use ricotta is amazing and with the complementing flavors of chocolate and hazelnuts I’d say they are definitely ranking near scone perfection!

Basically, you’re just going to have to make these to understand my excitement because words are failing me right now. I just can’t even!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hazelnut Chocolate Scones & “Nutella” Icing

Nothing compliments a warm mug of tea or coffee like a perfectly sweet scone. These scones are filled with delicious bites of chocolate and hazelnuts and topped glaze.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 16 scones

Ingredients

Scones
4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup coconut oil or organic shortening ice cold (or a combination)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 cups non-dairy yogurt such as cashew, coconut, or soy
100 g about 2/3 cup dairy-free semi-sweet dark chocolate, roughly chopped (or chocolate chips)
1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts chopped
Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons "nutella" *see note
1/4 cup almond milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
-If using food processor (steps 2-3):
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of a food processor
Add cold coconut oil to dry mixture and pulse until it is fine and powdery. Add vinegar, yogurt, and vanilla extract to mixture and pulse to combine until it comes together into a dough.
-If doing by hand (steps 4-5):
Add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large mixing bowl and mix well. Grate cold coconut oil with a cheese grater then use a pastry cutter or pair of knives to cut it into the dry mix until you have a course, crumbly mixture.
Add the vinegar, yogurt, and vanilla extract to a small bowl and stir to combine, then pour into dry ingredients and fold together with a rubber spatula until it comes together.
Fold in chocolate and hazelnuts then scrape dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half and, with well floured hands because the dough will be a bit wet, flatten each half into a circular disc shape, about an inch high. Do your best to handle the dough as little as possible in order to keep it cold. (If you're having trouble with handling it you can chill it for about 30 minutes in the fridge or even the freezer to make it easier to work with.)
Make 4 cuts, straight, across, and diagonally, in the circle so that you have 8 equal triangles (see photos) Repeat with other half of dough. Seperate them and place each triangle about 2 inches apart to allow spreading room on prepared pan.
Bake for 12 - 16 minutes or until edges start to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
While the scones are cooling, whisk all ingredients together for the glaze until smooth. When completely cool drizzle glaze over scones and let dry for about 30 minutes. Store in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes

You can make homemade nutella or use a brand of chocolate hazelnut butter that doesn't have dairy. (Btw, Nutella brand does)

ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL! All of these food photos were taken with my Nikon D750 and my favorite Lens, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. You can find out more in my INTRO POST.

Also, a huge shoutout to @rigaronib for designing my logo!

If you're looking for more recipes check out some of my other recent posts!

1. Simple & Quick Black Bean Lentil Chili
2. Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
3. Vanilla Bean Icing Topped Chai Donuts
4. Veggie Scramble & Sweet Potato Waffles
5. Mushroom Broccoli Creamy Gnocchi