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Whole Wheat Rhubarb Scones

Rhubarb scones with whole wheat flour are a perfect healthy breakfast. Use this whole wheat scone recipe as a base for your favorite mix-ins.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 8 scones
Calories: 239 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) at room temperature
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour (or white whole wheat if you prefer a milder taste)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup rhubarb diced (or the fruits, nuts, and/or chips of your choice)
  • ½ cup cold buttermilk plus 2 tablespoons (plus 1 additional tablespoon as needed)
  • 3 tablespoons boiled cider (see notes)
  • 1 large egg separated
  • Sparkling Sugar optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheeting with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Dice butter into small pieces and place in the freezer while you prepare the other ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl or the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Cut the butter in with a fork or a pastry blender or place the mixer on low speed. Continue working in the butter until some pieces are the size of oat flakes and some are the size of your thumbnail. The butter pieces may look large, but this is OK. By hand with a spatula, gently fold in the rhubarb.
  5. Whisk together 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk, the boiled cider, and egg yolk.
  6. Stir into the dry mixture until a soft, moist dough forms. The dough should be somewhat sticky and not at all dry. If it seems too dry, sprinkle in 1 additional tablespoon of buttermilk.
  7. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, then pat it into a 7-inch disk. Cut dough into 8 wedges. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet. For crispier scones, gently separate the wedges. For softer, higher-rising scones, leave the wedges in a circle (I placed mine in a slightly spaced circle for the best of both worlds).
  8. Beat the egg white in a small bowl, then brush over the tops of the scones. Sprinkle generously with sparkling sugar, then bake for 18 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees halfway through. Begin checking at the 18-minute mark (the farther the scones are apart, the more quickly they will bake.) Remove the scones from the oven when they are light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • ABOUT BOILED CIDER: Boiled cider is a highly concentrated and intensely flavored apple cider. If you do not have it handy, you can substitute additional buttermilk. Or, to make your own boiled cider: Add 1/2 gallon of apple cider to a large (non-reactive) Dutch oven or pot. Over medium-high heat, bring the cider to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and let cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 hours, or until the cider has reduced to about 1 cup and has a thick, syrupy consistency. Transfer to a small jar and store in the refrigerator.
  • TO MAKE-AHEAD: Mix and shape the dough into wedges as directed. Then wrap each unbaked scone individually in plastic and freeze until ready to bake. To bake, unwrap the scones and bake, as directed, from frozen. You will just need to add a few minutes to the original bake time. 
  • TO STORE: Scones are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be individually wrapped and stored at room temperature for 2 days.
  • TO FREEZE: Scones may also be individually wrapped in plastic and frozen for up to 1 month. Defrost in the fridge overnight or at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1(of 8) Calories 239kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 27g (9%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Potassium 271mg (8%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 424IU (8%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 87mg (9%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8scones

Amount Per Serving

Calories 239

% Daily Value*

Serving 1(of 8)
Calories 239kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 27g 9%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Potassium 271mg 6%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 424IU 8%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 87mg 9%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.