English Royalty Chocolate Chip Scones

(from Yours Truly)

“Elizabethan” sounds like royalty, doesn’t it? I thought this recipe only fitting for my Elizabethan Sisters, especially since it has CHOCOLATE in it. It also has a dash of orange juice which mixes things up a bit, giving these babies quite a zesty flavor. Make these the next time you have friends over for coffee or take them to a friend who needs a little pick-me-up.

Ingredients:
1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
5 Tablespoons unsalted BUTTER, chilled and cubed
½ to a whole cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips (By now you know I’d err on the more generous amount of chocolate!)
3 Tablespoons orange juice

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Spray baking sheet with a non-stick spray.

• Whisk together flour, sugar, backing powder and salt.

• Cut in BUTTER with a knife and fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Toss in chocolate chips.

• Mix in the orange juice to form the dough.

• Turn out dough onto a floured surface. Roll into a 9-inch circle, about ½ inch thick.

• Use a 2 ½ inch biscuit cutter (Or you can just cut them into triangles.)

• Cut out 12 scones, transferring them to your baking sheet.

• Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Have BUTTER ready to roll and/or your favorite jelly or jam.

(As a decorative option, if you’re not opposed to sugar, sprinkle the large, granular sugar onto the scones just before you put them in the oven.)