Scrumptious spelt date scones!

These sweet, wholesome, high-fibre spelt & date scones are so soft, moist and yummy that they'll disappear within minutes of serving them up . . . this is the case at our place anyway! My family enjoys homemade scones for a lunch treat on a weekend. Sometimes I also make an extra batch to freeze and then send into school with my girls for lunch. These date scones are lovely split in two with a slice of tasty cheese inside . . yum!

Spelt & date scones with flax

ingredients

2 tbsp golden flaxseeds (or white chia)

120g filtered water

220g white spelt flour

220g wholemeal spelt flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 1/2 tbsp raw caster sugar
40g butter, cubed
100g dates, roughly chopped
160g natural yoghurt
160g milk

method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C and line two oven trays with baking paper.
2. Add golden flaxseed to TM bowl and grind for 20 seconds on speed 9. Decant into a small jug or bowl containing 120ml of water (6 tbsp). Whisk with a fork. The soluble fibre which you have released through grinding will absorb the water and turn the mixture into a gel.  
3. Add the dried dates to TM bowl and pulse 2-3 times until roughly chopped. Put aside.
4. Place the spelt flours, baking powder, sugar and butter into TM bowl and mix for approx 5 seconds on speed 8 until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
5. Add natural yoghurt, milk and the flaxseed gel mixture to the TM bowl and mix for 8 seconds on speed 5, or until the dough almost comes together.
6. Return the chopped dates to the TM bowl. 
7. Set dial to closed position and mix for 20 seconds on interval speed to form a soft, sticky dough. 
8. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and press into a disc shape. Divide into two equal portions and shape each piece into a disc of 2-3cm thickness. Slice each disc into six triangle wedges.
9. Carefully lift and place scones on the prepared tray. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until slightly brown on top. Turn onto a wire rack to cool or serve in a large bowl wrapped in a clean tea towel. Best enjoyed fresh with a little butter, lemon butter or served with tasty cheese. 

variations

add a little extra flavour interest with cinnamon and/or mixed spice

add 1 tbsp finely chopped walnuts

use 50g oats in place of 50g of spelt flour

use 280-300g of buttermilk in place of the yoghurt and milk

No Thermomix?
Make the scones following your usual method for making scones. I would always use an electric mixer before I had my Thermomix. Or rub the butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers, then make a well in the flour and pour in your liquid ingredients. Mix until just combined. You should never overwork a scone dough, thats why the Thermomix is perfect. Less is more when it comes to making a successful scone.

Nutrition tid bit
The addition of flax provides not only a nutrient boost, but also functions as a fat substitute in this recipe, helping to impart a soft and moist texture. In fact, these scones are so moist that I enjoy them as is, without a lashing of butter.