The hardest part is starting.
I find this to be true of a great many things; new jobs, relationships, exercise, new (or old but somewhat forgotten) hobbies. I dedicate my time fiercely and passionately to something for a time, until life gets in the way or new hobbies surface or something happens to shift my focus.
The more the time passes without doing said thing, the harder it can be to start it up again. It can be scary and daunting and intimidating.
It’s been so long since I did _________. I’m out of practice. What if I suck at it now!? It’s easier just to not do it, because then I won’t be disappointed in myself. Right?
Sometimes, yes. It would be easier. But where’s the thrill in that?
I feel this way about the blog, at times, which if I’m honest, is why it’s been so long without posting! A week went by, then another week, then a month, and then it was just so hard to get back into it. It was scary and daunting and intimidating.
But, like exercising after a too-long drought, it feels so good once that first step is over.
So here’s to taking that first step. The hardest part is starting.
To celebrate, lets talk scones. Fluffy, flaky, hearty, apple cinnamon scones. 😍
It sounds like an odd addition, and while you can’t taste the ricotta in the finished scone, the ricotta cheese keeps the dough moist through baking. The edges crisp up while the centres stay light and fluffy. Each bite is packed with softened apples and sweet cinnamon.
And that glaze… it’s incredibly simple to whip up, and the splash of whiskey compliments the flavour of the apples and the spice of cinnamon.
I love baking scones on a lazy Sunday morning and eating them fresh out of the oven. These scones are best eaten fresh, but if you end up with leftovers, they keep well in an airtight container in the fridge. Add the glaze to the scones right before serving, otherwise it may seep into the scones (which isn’t really a bad thing…but it’s not as pretty.)
Serve with a big cup of coffee, and embrace the cozy!
| Apple Cinnamon Ricotta Scones with Whiskey Glaze | Print |
- Apples:
- 3 cups finely diced apples, peeled
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- .
- Scones:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 stick (1/2 a cup) butter, frozen
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ to 1 cup heavy cream
- .
- Glaze:
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 Tbsp whiskey
- ½ Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Mix together the diced apples, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp of cinnamon; set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Grate butter into flour mixture with a regular cheese grater. Using your hands, mix the butter into the flour until it's nicely mixed and crumbly. Stir in sugar and ricotta cheese, mixing by hand until incorporated. Add in diced apple mixture.
- Add cream, starting with just half a cup, and mix by hand. Add in more cream if needed, until a thick yet crumbly dough forms. Dough should still be crumbly, but don't worry! You don't want the dough too thick or wet.
- Transfer dough onto a floured surface, kneading with your hands if necessary to get all the flour mixed. Shape into a circle and flatten, then cut into 8 triangles. Sprinkle with more sugar, if desired.
- Transfer to an unlined baking sheet and bake 25-30 minutes until nice and browned on top. Remove from oven and let cool to the touch.
- Make the glaze before serving: mix together the icing sugar, whiskey, vanilla, and cream. Once scones have cooled, pour glaze over top and let sit for 5 minutes until glaze has set.
Nothing makes me smile in the morning like a fresh scone. And when I say that, I mean it… because it’s kinda tough to get me to smile in the morning. These look so incredible! Love the addition of ricotta!