Grain-Free Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones (Paleo)

Craving a paleo-friendly, grain-free treat? Bake a batch of my grain-free dark chocolate cherry scones!

The homemade scones are crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and dotted with dried cherries and dark chocolate.

I’m glad I’m no longer addicted to bread products, but I still feel an occasional twinge of nostalgia for scones – crusty, with a tender crumb, and just a touch of fruity sweetness.

Henry’s to blame for this grain-free scone recipe. He created a cinnamon apple scone for our iPad® cookbook app last year – one of my favorite Paleo treats! – and ever since, I’ve been experimenting with new and different variations.

After months of testing, I’ve finally landed on my favorite: dark chocolate and cherries. With an almond flour base, these scones marry three of my favorite ingredients, and they just so happen to taste fantastic together. But just to be sure, I figured I needed to make one more batch. (All in the name of responsible recipe development, of course. It had nothing to do with my love for chocolatey scones. NOTHING!)

Once the kids were off to school, I had the house to myself for a few hours this morning, so I cranked up the oven and broke out the chocolate. Less than an hour later, my kitchen was filled with the warm scent of freshly-baked scones.

As usual, after trying one, I had to banish the rest of the batch from the house for fear I’d eat the whole tray in one sitting. (Calories do still matter, you know.) But don’t let me dissuade you from making these incredible scones. Just save one for yourself, and give the rest away as holiday treats!

Wanna watch a replay of me cooking this recipe live in my kitchen with the boys? Check out my Facebook Live cooking demo below (recorded on 12/12/18):

Let’s make some scones!

Makes 8 scones / Hands-On Time: 10 minutes / Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (360 grams) blanched almond flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 4 tablespoons (56.7 grams) butter, as cold as possible (preferably frozen)
• 2 large pastured eggs
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (42 grams) honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ounces (85 grams) 80+% cacao dark chocolate, cut into bite-size chunks
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) dried cherries

Equipment:

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Large bowls
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Whisk
• Dough cutter
• Stainless steel cooling rack

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle position, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt.

Use your hands, two forks, or a pastry cutter to work the pieces of cold butter into the dry ingredients until a crumbly mixture is produced. (Pro-tip: You can also grate the frozen butter before mixing with the dry ingredients.)

In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk together the eggs, apple cider vinegar, honey, and vanilla extract.

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients, and pour the egg mixture into it.

Gently mix with a spatula until a wet, chunky dough forms, and then throw in the chocolate chunks and cherries.

Combine the ingredients with your hands, and form two small balls of dough.

On a sheet of parchment paper or a nonstick surface, gently flatten the balls with your hands. The rounds of dough should be about ¾-inch thick. (If the dough’s a little too sticky to handle add a little more almond flour or refrigerate it for a half hour to firm it up before proceeding.)

Using a pastry cutter or a sharp knife, cut each round of dough into 4 equal-sized wedges, and arrange all 8 pieces on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through. The scones are ready when they’re golden brown, and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the scones onto a wire rack to cool before serving.

I’m not the only one in the house who fell victim to the charms of these chocolatey scones today.

If you have leftovers, freeze them! They reheat really well: pop them straight from the freezer into a preheated 325°F oven and bake for 5 minutes or until warmed through.

Wanna watch a replay of me baking these scones on Facebook Live? Check out the video below (recorded on 12/12/18):

Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!

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Grain-Free Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones

Prep 10 mins

Cook 30 mins

Total 40 mins

Author Michelle Tam

Yield 8 scones

These grain-free dark chocolate cherry scones are one of my favorite baked paleo treats! They're perfect for DIY holiday gifts, too!

Ingredients

• 3 cups (360 grams) blanched almond flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 4 tablespoons (56.7 grams) butter, as cold as possible (preferably frozen)
• 2 large pastured eggs
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (42 grams) honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ounces (85 grams) 80+% cacao dark chocolate, cut into bite-size chunks
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) dried cherries

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle position, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt.
2. Use your hands, two forks, or a pastry cutter to work the pieces of cold butter into the dry ingredients until a crumbly mixture is produced. (Pro-tip: You can also grate the frozen butter before mixing with the dry ingredients.)
3. In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk together the eggs, apple cider vinegar, honey, and vanilla extract.
4. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients, and pour the egg mixture into it.
5. Gently mix with a spatula until a wet, chunky dough forms, and then throw in the chocolate chunks and cherries.
6. Combine the ingredients with your hands, and form two small balls of dough.
7. On a sheet of parchment paper or a nonstick surface, gently flatten the balls with your hands. The rounds of dough should be about ¾-inch thick. (If the dough’s a little too sticky to handle add a little more almond flour or refrigerate it for a half hour to firm it up before proceeding.)
8. Using a pastry cutter or a sharp knife, cut each round of dough into 4 equal-sized wedges, and arrange all 8 pieces on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through. The scones are ready when they’re golden brown, and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the scones onto a wire rack to cool before serving.

Notes

• You can use chilled coconut oil or ghee in place of butter!
• You can freeze extras! They reheat well.

Courses Dessert

Cuisine Scones, Primal, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Paleo, Chocolate