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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Oatmeal Scones with Dates





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...When I was a little girl we had a neighbor who made oat farls on St. Patrick's Day. If you're not to the shamrock born, it helps to know that a farl is a scone that's made from the same dough as plain Irish soda bread - the naked variety that's made with whole wheat flour and not much else. Oatmeal is usually added to the dough which is then cooked on a griddle until it's done. The griddle is a holdover from the days when there were no ovens in Irish kitchens and all cooking was done on the hearth. I have a morning meeting on Wednesday and I'm responsible for providing Irish treats to go with our coffee and tea. Because it's a large gathering, I want to make something that honors the spirit of the day, but, more importantly, is fast, easy and inexpensive to assemble and reheat. I've seen this recipe floating through the ether for several years now. I can't date the first occurrence of the recipe, so I 'm going to consider it one that is in the public domain. If I'm wrong, let me know and you'll be credited for the recipe. I tested the recipe last week and I'm happy to report that it makes lovely, soft scones that are dropped rather than shaped or cut. The sweetness of the scones comes from a very small amount of sugar and dates. These scones are more tender than most because cake flour is used to assemble them. They take 15 minutes to prepare and about 20 minutes to cook. It doesn't get any easier than this. Here's the recipe.

Oatmeal Scones with Dates
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2-1/4 cups cake flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter-cut into bits
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1) Move a rack to middle third of oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2) Whisk milk, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla in a bowl until mixture is well combined.
3) In another bowl stir together flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Blend in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
4) Stir in dates and milk mixture until a sticky dough forms.
5) Drop dough by 1/3-cup measures onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake scones for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are golden. (Alternatively scones may be dropped onto a hot greased griddle and cooked over moderate heat, turning them, for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are golden on both sides and cooked through.) Serve hot with butter and jam. Yield: 8 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:

Australian Busters - One Perfect Bite
Drop Biscuits with Cheddar Cheese and Garlic Butter - One Perfect Bite
Blueberry and Lemon Tea Biscuits - One Perfect Bite

54 comments:

  1. I learn something new today! I will be very happy to have this in the morning or with my afternoon tea.

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  2. oo wonderful for tea and whenevr m hungry! YUMMM

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  3. A healthy, delicious scone. I would love it now with my tea....yum

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  4. Scone always my favourite tea food! More butter & jam please!

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  5. I LOVe scones!! They're my favorite baked item...And you put my favorite ingredient in there...oats! Yummy!

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  6. This is a very healthy scones ! And you are very thoughtful person.

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  7. These look like breakfast to me, and a healthy and economical one at that.

    I made the Vietnamese Chicken you posted a few days ago and it was delicious, a recipe I will use again for sure. Thank-you!

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  8. Oh Mary, these sound amazing! I love chopped dates on my oatmeal in the morning so this sounds perfect for the warmer weather coming soon.

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  9. Hi Mary
    thank you very much for your kind message you left on my space...Scones looks yummy and delicious..following you..

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  10. Do you update your blog everyday? I'm amazed!

    Have an award your way. Pls. check out the rules below:

    http://kitchen-masochist.blogspot.com/2010/03/hey-sunshiney-day.html

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  11. thank so much for visiting The Saucy Gourmet! I love you site and cannot wait to try these scones at one of my teas. I will be back often! Shari

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  12. My husband's aunt used to speak of making farls- now I know what they are! These look lovely!
    xoxo Pattie

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  13. Happu St. Paddy's Day!!!!I am sure your group will enjoy this winning recipe.

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  14. These scones make me hungry! I gotta search something to eat!

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  15. Now this is a St. Pat's recipe I could really enjoy!

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  16. never tried scones with oatmeal.Loved the addition of dates. im bookmarking it

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  17. I love scones and had no idea what a farl was! Interesting about the soda bread batter. I also have never used cake flour for my scones. And never would have thought of dates rather than raisins although I have used cranberries.
    Looks like a great recipe.

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  18. And I'll just boil down some strawberries with sugar, take a scone and munch happily. East, grand recipe. Love scones.

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  19. I love dates and these look perfect for St Patty's Day! Hope you have a good one Mary!

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  20. Those look like they would go down well with some coffee (or rather tea with milk) any time of day.

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  21. while dates are not a favorite of mine I wonder if I could use raisins in this recipe

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  22. What a yummy way to get some dates in your diet!

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  23. These look wonderful Mary....I would not have thought of using dates in scones, but they would add a delicious sweetness.

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  24. I think you are going to have some very happy colleagues tomorrow!

    I'm definately going to try this recipe, although i may substitute the dates for dried apricots but it's nice to make a chance form my usual sultana ones, thanks!

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  25. I have still never made a scone - these oatmeal date scones look amazing.

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  26. Mmm these scones look way better than traditional irish soda bread. I'm loving the moistness...and the cinnamon!

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  27. new word... new recipe... I am having trouble baking here. Humid and something about close to the equator (what i am hearing). but, a glass of rum and it all works out

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  28. my gosh. those look SO GOOD. dates are my all time favorite dried fruit. I REALLY wish butter didnt make me so sick. I WANT TO EAT all of your yummy recipes!

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  29. Mary your scones looks great, warm with a cup of tea just perfect..
    I just posted almost simiar oatmeal cookies and they were amazing as well...
    I like to your scones a try and see the texture , thkx for sharing and have a wonderful day

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  30. Hello Mary!
    Thank you very much for your kind message you left on my blog;
    you have the "perfect bites" anyone can ask for! Compliments! :)

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  31. This looks so great. If only I can wake up early enough to have some for breakfast.

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  32. I've never seen these before, they sound great. I love a good scone, I'll have to try this method out.

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  33. I adore oatmeal and dates so what a treat this would be!!

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  34. Yum! And I love that most of the sweetness comes from the dates.

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  35. Mary,
    These Scones look really wonderful, and indeed are a "Perfec Bite".
    Thanks a lot for visiting my little kitchen.

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  36. These sound great, I love oatmeal and dates. I wonder if you could make them on a griddle? I have one that I use for pancakes (drop scones) although we call it a 'girdle' in Scotland. Might have a go at these at the weekend.

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  37. Erin, welcome to One Perfect Bite. I hope you'll visit with us often.

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  38. Fantastic scones...love the addition of dates ofcourse....
    cheers and Happy st.Paddys day w love....

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  39. I love the dates being in there. Great recipe.

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  40. I love oat farls, but never had them with the dates. Sounds delicious! Happy St. Patrick's Day.

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  41. That looks so good, I love the addition of dates. Looking forward to your next post!

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  42. I love oatmeal dishes. They're so tasty!

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  43. These look delicious! And I love the design of your blog. It is so clean and easy to read.

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  44. I love scones and these seem particularly delicious and special. These will be so perfect to make and eat while we are watching France play Ireland in rugby!

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  45. These sound so simple and good. Oatmeal, cinnamon, and dates...some of my favorite ingredients. YUM!

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  46. Mary, These look delicious! I'll have to try them out. Hope you're doing well!

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  47. After a long hiatus I am rediscovering dates. These scones are perfect!

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  48. These are good. I added more cinnamon and crushed pecans-great.

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  49. Made these (via tastespotting) today. My toddler and I loved them. Thanks!

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