December is here. Our Elf, Snitch, reappeared. Just had to share our delightful welcome brunch. It’s been awhile, and holiday spirit, we missed ya.

Christmas Scones

They taste like Christmas (brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg – like a snickerdoodle for breakfast). These are based off an Alton Brown recipe reworked by Kitchen Treaty. Of course I couldn’t leave well enough alone, so here’s my version. They are more cake like than some rather crumbly ones we’ve tried. I think they were easier for the kids to eat.

Gather:
2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c brown sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t salt
2 t ground cinnamon
1/4-1/2 t fresh grated nutmeg
6T straight from fridge unsalted butter, cubed
3/4 c heavy cream
1 egg
2 t vanilla extract
1/4 c milk
2 1/2 c powdered sugar
1 1/2 t vanilla extract

Whisk the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Smell – see, Christmas. Cut in butter.

In a measuring cup, mix cream, egg and vanilla.

Pour wet into dry, alternating until all dry is moistened. Pour onto a flour dusted surface and from a very sticky to semi dry dough. Press into 1 inch think circle, cut into eighths and put on silpat lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly and drizzle with glaze. Kids love stuff with glaze (okay, so do I), but I think next time I might just make some cinnamon sugar and sprinkle over the top when they come out of the oven. If you try it, let me know if you like it.

For Simple Vanilla Glaze: combine 1/4 c whole milk with 2-2 1/2 c powdered sugar, 1 1/2 t vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled scones.

Take Kitchen Treaty’s advice. Make some coffee. In fact, here’s a recipe for ya.

My Mocha
Gather:
2 T homemade chocolate syrup
1 c prepared strong coffee
1/4 c whole milk or half & half

It really is just that simple. I have a Keurig, so I push the button, add some milk, add some syrup, stir and sip. Repeat….more than once and you may have the jittery sugar shakes (just saying).

Now, I could hear Man’s voice in my head saying that’s not a meal, so I added some thick cut uncured bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, and fresh fruit. Now it’s so late, we will call it brunch.