Cherry Marzipan Scones
These beautiful cherry scones are the perfect pairing for a brewed tea.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 12 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1/2 cup fresh, moist almond paste, crumbled ((4 3/4 ounces))
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, in 1/2" cubes
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons greek yogurt (I used low-fat), plus extra for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh sweet cherries, stemmed, pitted and quartered (to equal 1 cup)
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
- a small handful of sliced almonds (preferably unblanched)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Instructions
- 1
In the body of a food processor, combine the almond paste, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Pulse to combine and break up the almond paste. Add the butter, and pulse until the mixture resembles gravel, with a few pea-sized butter chunks throughout. Dollop the yogurt over the top, sprinkle with the almond extract, and pulse until the mixture begins to form large clumps and looks somewhat homogeneous.
- 2
Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, dust the top lightly with flour, and roll into a 12 by 8" rectangle, turning and flipping the dough, dusting with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- 3
Lay the prepared cherries over half the dough. Fold the other half of the dough over the cherries, and press down gently but firmly (this will help the cherries stay in place when you slice and move the scones).Freeze the mega-scone until fairly firm, but not frozen, 20 minutes.
- 4
Position a rack in the upper center of the oven and preheat to 425ºLine a heavy baking sheet with parchment paper, and stack it on top of a second heavy baking sheet.
- 5
Use a sharp chef's knife to trim away the outer 1/4" from each side of the scone, then cut into 12 squares. Brush the tops with cream, sprinkle with the almonds, pressing them lightly into the scones, then sprinkle with the coarse sugar.
- 6
Carefully transfer the scones to the parchmented sheet pan, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake the scones until they are golden brown on top, 18-20 minutes.
- 7
Let the scones cool to warm. They are best served shortly after baking (with more greek yogurt!) but will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature. Reheat in an oven or toaster oven for best results.