When wintertime hits, I always miss the bounty of berries from the summer. I love making homemade crisps, crumbles, jams, and the like. But it’s also fun to find creative ways to use the fruits available now, like pears and citrus. These pear and chocolate scones have become one of my very favorite wintertime treats.
Scones are obviously a bit of an indulgence, but with this recipe – you can actually enjoy them more often! Unlike the 500+ calorie options at most local bakeries, these clock in at just 270 calories. And that’s not because they’re tiny or miniature. No no, my friends, these bad boys are big ‘ol full size scones.
Side note – that whole tiny serving thing is my biggest recipe pet peeve! You know, when something calls for about 1000 servings and apparently, you’re only supposed to eat a morsel of it and that’s why it’s “healthy”. Anyone with me?
In addition to being in a reasonable calorie range, these are made with whole wheat pastry flour and only use 3 tablespoons of maple syrup for a natural sweetener. The recipe also calls for less butter than traditionally used, but adds in a bit of greek yogurt to help ensure that the inside stays tender and delicious (and add a little extra protein).
I seriously cannot get enough of these. My husband and son are also big fans. They’ve been a weekend staple around here lately. In fact, someone was getting a little impatient during the photo shoot for these…
And if you’re a runner or triathlete? I think you’re going to love these for two reasons:
1. If you frequently run out the door sans breakfast before a long run or ride on the weekend, try these next time! Bake ‘em ahead of time and scarf one down about an hour before your workout. Those carbohydrates can serve you well while pounding the pavement.
2. Or, try ‘em my favorite way – as a recovery option. After my run this weekend, I enjoyed one of these delish scones as a treat alongside a glass of milk. Great balance of carbs & protein to help restock that energy in your muscles and start the muscle fiber repair process!
Regardless of whether you’re focusing on fitness and want a healthier treat – or you simply just want something amazing to bake for your family over the weekend – these pear and chocolate scones are where it’s at.
Give ‘em a try soon and let me know what you think!
Pear and Chocolate Scones
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or all purpose flour)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp cold butter
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup diced pears
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (or chopped dark chocolate)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with either a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter. (You can use a pastry cutter, but it’s not a necessary tool. You can simply add the butter to the flour mixture and cut it with a butter knife repeatedly. Eventually there should be a lot of small pieces of butter incorporated throughout the mixture. You’re good when they’re all smaller than pea-sized.)
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg. Add the egg, greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla to the flour mixture. Stir until just combined.
- Fold in pears and dark chocolate.
- Place your scone dough on a lightly floured surface. Turn it over a few times to get a little flour throughout the outside so it’s easier to work with. Then press it down into a disc shape. Cut it into 6 triangles and place them on your baking sheet.
- Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes, or until scones are lightly browned and crisp on the outside and still soft on the inside.
Notes
Nutrition
Share with me: Have you ever tried pear and chocolate scones? What’s your favorite type of scone? What kinds of recipes do you enjoy making with winter produce?
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What a delicious flavor combo!
Thanks Rachel!
Yum! Pear and chocolate is an amazing combination! I also hate when the serving size is so small, that’s the only reason why the calorie count is low!
Yes!! Glad I’m not the only one!
I am so with you on the tiny portions thing!! I like to eat volumous foods so I can eat more for less hehe. Never thought to pair pear with chocolate. What have I been missing?!
You definitely have to try it! It’s a delish combo together.
Yum they sound and look amazing and I would have never thought to pair pears and chocolate but it sounds delicious! My family loves scones, why we have Scone Sundays and we’ll have to add these to the list to try!
Scone Sundays?! I think I need to implement that tradition too 😉
Would you believe that I have never made my own scones! I love the pear in these
I very rarely made them in the past, but have done these quite a few times lately because they were super simple to throw together.
I just made some scones the other weekend! I’m in love with these baked goods!
Baking is the best, right?! An old roommate of mine joked that I bake more than any person he’s ever met, haha.
oooh I love the sound of this combo! Definitely trying this out during my next baking sesh
Woohoo! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
I love scones. The combination of chocolate and pear is unique but sounds wonderful.
Thanks Jill! It’s definitely a little different but works well together for sure.
I’ve never combined pear and chocolate but these scones look goooood.
Hope you get a chance to give ’em a try!
I would have never thought to PEAR both of these together, but these sound delicious! Sorry, i couldn’t resist a perfect food pun too. 🙂
Bahahaha I’m so sad I didn’t think of that pun for the post itself.
Interesting flavour combo. I would never have thought to combine chocolate and pear!
Thanks Jessica! 🙂
Hooray for scones!!!! *-* I’ve never actually tried making my own before (sigh), but this combination sounds amazing!
Definitely give these a whirl – I think you’ll love ’em!