Chocolate Cherry Scones with a side of Downton Abbey Drama

Last week's episode of Downton Abbey was perfection.  It definitely had its highs and lows.  My stomach dropped to rock bottom when Cora yelled at the ladies from downstairs for trying on her coats.  Don't you know they wanted to DIE when she did?!  With the way her mood was going, I am surprised Cora didn't fire them on the spot.  I was soo glad when she went down to apologize for her poor behavior.  Classy move.

While the story line was riveting, my favorite moments included:

1.  When Edith took charge of her magazine.  She fired her jerk editor and took on the role herself.  I love that she decided to truly embrace the modern woman she had only previously pretended to be.  I also thoroughly enjoyed her smile at her pride in a REAL job well done.

Retrieved from http://www.silverpetticoatreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Downton-Abbey-S6-E3-Edith-2.jpg

2.  The announcement of Mr. & Mrs. Carson!  From the moment they held hands at the shore, this was the scene every Downton fan anticipated. Oh, they looked beautiful in their smart clothes.  Cora's coat made our bride shine on HER day... in the church and then at the reception.  Did you get a glimpse of the food tables?  Whoa!  I saw some beautiful things I have yet to try... and will probably wait until someone else makes them for me.  They looked elaborate.

Retrieved from http://images-cdn.moviepilot.com/images/c_fill,h_759,w_1235/t_mp_quality/np4v4nlhftwbriik2vxe/downton-abbey-season-6-episode-3-recap-an-old-face-returns-647165.jpg

3.  The ULTIMATE moment of episode three had to be the beautiful reunion of Branson and the Crawleys.  When he walked in the door with little Sybie, well, I am quite sure there were cheers of joy across America as everyone drank in the moment.  I don't like that he upstaged the bride and groom but I love how he has come to appreciate his new identity as a member of one of Britain's leading families.  Way to go, Tom!

Retrieved from http://www.radiotimes.com/uploads/images/Original/87080.JPG

Because I have been caring for a sick kiddo all weekend, my desire to prepare an involved dessert for Downton Night was just not there.  I chose instead, to prepare a decadent scone to enjoy with episode four.  So, sit back and check out these amazing Chocolate Cherry Scones!

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, cubed and very cold
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup cold buttermilk
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Topping:
Heavy cream or milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Cut the very cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter.

Chop the chocolate and cherries.

I used Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips.  I had wanted to use the mini chips I had purchased on my last trip to their chocolate store but it appears my husband has eaten them all.  He is really good about consuming my baking chips on his late night snacking adventures.  Regularly sized chips or bars work as well, they just need to be chopped coarsely to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Using a fork, stir the chopped chocolate and cherries until well combined.

In a wet measuring cup, combine the milk, egg yolk and extracts.  With a fork, slowly stir in the wet ingredients into the dry until the dough forms wet clumps.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and bring together into a ball.  Press dough into a disk, 3/4" high.

Use either a cutter to cut the dough into shapes or use a very sharp knife to cut into evenly shaped wedges.  Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet, spaced one inch apart.

Brush scones with heavy cream or milk and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.  Bake until scones are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee... morning, noon or night!  In fact, these scones would be a delicious addition to a tea party, a Mother's Day brunch, a Valentine's Day breakfast, or maybe even while viewing another favorite show... When Calls the Heart.  Hearties, are you out there?  You have GOT to give these a try when season three begins in February.

Now, let's bring on tonight's installment of Downton Abbey!  Will we get a glimpse of Lady Mary in this dazzling frock?  Oh, how I wish I could wear this one.  GORGEOUS!

Retrieved from http://images-cdn.moviepilot.com/images/c_fill,h_672,w_1220/t_mp_quality/tn7roij4oqlkekhxjlj5/downton-abbey-season-6-episode-6-recap-the-dowager-is-dethroned-681734.jpg

Downton Night - Chocolate Fudge Hot-Pot Pudding

Tonight's Downton Abbey was fabulous.  I squealed with delight when Lady Mary spun around in that hairdresser's chair to reveal her stylish bob. I am a sucker for short doos.  I loved Cora's honesty with Robert.  Does she know about the maid a few seasons ago?  Likely not but hey, she knows his nature!  Are you ready to see if anything will transpire between the Russian prince and the Dowager?  Hmm... she looks a little older than he is.  I do feel sorry for poor Daisy who is still reeling from Ms. Bunting's leaving.  I do like how she and Moseley are forming a bond over education.  Times are changing!!  And poor Isis!  I sure hope she makes a full recovery.

The only thing that made this installment even better was the amazing Chocolate Fudge Hot-Pot Pudding I enjoyed right along with it.  The recipe comes from The Great British Bake Off: How To Bake The Perfect Victoria Sponge And Other Baking Secrets and it is to die for.

If you love chocolate, like I love chocolate, you will be hooked from the first bite... well, likely before.  If the scent of chocolate while making the sauce doesn't hook you, I am not sure you LOVE chocolate.

Caution:  Because the recipe came from a British cookbook, it is not written in the American style of cups.  I did convert everything to ounces so you can better estimate using common measuring methods.  However, if you have a kitchen scale and prefer to use it, the measurement for grams is in parentheses.

Ingredients:

4 1/2 ounces of unsalted butter, softened (125g)
4 1/2 ounces of superfine sugar (125g)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 1/2 ounces self rising flour (75g)
8 tablespoons cocoa
2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon milk
4 1/2 ounces light brown sugar (125g)
300 milliliters boiling water


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter a 2 to 2 1/2 quart casserole dish and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter until cream.  Add sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate with each addition.

Sift flour and 4 tablespoons of the cocoa into the bowl and fold into the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla mixture.

Add chopped chocolate and milk.  Transfer pudding to the buttered dish and spread evenly.

In a heat proof bowl, sift the final 4 tablespoons of the cocoa with the brown sugar.  Whisk in the boiling water until the contents become thin and even.  Seriously, the aroma is INTOXICATING!

Pour the sauce over the pudding and bake 30 to 35 minutes, until the pudding is firm to the touch and the sauce is bubbling.

Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream.

I am thrilled Lady Edith finally decided what she wanted and took her child back.  I feel awful for Mrs. Drew who was visibly heartbroken to lose Marigold.  Let's hope poor Edith can craft a happy life for herself.  Until next week!  Now, let me enjoy this divine chocolate dessert.

By the way, this would make an INCREDIBLE dessert for Valentine's Day.  Just sayin'.

Chocolate Cherry Pavlova - Downton Night 4

I am a bit behind in my blogging.  For last week's episode of Downton Abbey, I made a divine Chocolate Cherry Pavlova.  Here is the story behind it!

There are few foods that seem to call to me.  Chocolate, however, has the loudest voice.  While at the library this fall, I found a beautiful cookbook entitled Wintersweet: Seasonal Desserts to Warm the Home by Tammy Donroe Inman.  I have never borrowed a cookbook from the library but the cover of this book had me.  (Yes, I totally judged this book by its cover.)  Really though, isn't it gorgeous?!

A couple of seasons of Downton Abbey ago, I prepared a Pavlova with fresh raspberry sauce and whipped cream.  It was divine.  Seriously, soo good.  I blogged about it here.  Since that date, I made pavlovas a couple more times, mainly for my father who literally ate an entire pavlova by himself!

With Season 5 in full swing, I made my version of the Chocolate Pomegranate Pavlova from Inman's cookbook.  Chocolatey, crispy, pillowy-soft goodness... check out my Chocolate Cherry Pavlova.

Ingredients:  Pavlovas have very few ingredients.  Yippee!

1 cup superfine sugar
4 large egg whites, room temperature
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
cherry preserves
whipped cream

Directions:
Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Fit a sheet of parchment paper to a baking sheet and draw a 7" circle onto the underside of the paper using dark pencil.  The circle should be visible through the paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-high until they form stiff peaks (about 4 minutes).  Begin to add sugar one tablespoon at a time.  Beat well between applications, until meringue is firm and shines.  Continue beating at medium-high for another 4 - 6 minutes, scraping bowl periodically, until sugary grit disappears.  Remove bowl from mixer.

Sift cocoa and cornstarch into the bowl and add vinegar.  Fold ingredients into the meringue with a spatula until streak-free.

Pile the mixture into the center of the parchment circle.  Carefully spread the meringue to fill the circle, making the center slightly lower than the edges.

Reduce heat on the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 75 to 80 minutes.  Turn off the heat, prop open the oven door, and allow the pavlova to remain in the oven for an additional hour or until it has cooled completely.

Sometimes, finished pavlovas look like this...

 

 Sometimes, finished pavlovas look like this...

Don't worry, both indicate success.  Cracks on the top are fine since toppings are typically added at serving.  If you are feeding 4 or more people (or just my husband) there will be no leftovers. As in the case of this Chocolate Cherry Pavlova, place onto a serving platter or pedestal cake plate and top with cherry preserves and whipped cream.  However, if you think there might be leftovers, slice and top individually with the preserves and whipped cream.  The remaining pavlova may be wrapped in plastic and stored at room temperature.

I enjoyed this delicious dessert with a cup of Republic of Tea's Bates' Brambleberry tea.  The tea was a surprise gift from a dear friend.  The perfect compliment.  Soo good!

Yeah, it is really good.