I knew this was going to be amazing as soon as I mixed the wet and dry ingredients. [A word to the wise, people: make sure your baking powder isn't expired!! because it makes such a big difference in whatever you're making. I know, duh, but when was the last time you actually checked the date on the container?] The batter was airy and light, and when I mixed in the sugared walnuts, crunchy bits flaked off and dotted the entire batter. The result is a seriously gorgeous scone: crunchy on the outside, incredibly soft and fluffy on the inside, with plump cherries and sugared walnuts in each bite.
1 c. raw walnut pieces
½ c. brown sugar
2 TBSP Earth Balance margarine
1 c. tart dried cherries
1½ c. almond milk
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 c. flour
2 TBSP baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ c. granulated sugar
½ c. vegetable shortening
2 TBSP vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 375, and line two baking sheets with
parchment paper. Place an extra sheet of
parchment on the counter top for the sugared walnut mixture to cool on.
In a medium sized saucepan, melt the 2 TBSP Earth Balance on
medium heat. Add the walnuts, stirring to coat, and then add the brown sugar. Allow
the sugar to get a little bubbly as you stir to coat the walnuts, but be
careful that the sugar doesn’t burn! I kept my mixture over heat for 1-2
minutes, max. Spread the nuts out in one layer on that extra sheet of parchment
to cool.
In a small bowl combine the almond milk and apple cider
vinegar, and allow the mixture to curdle.
In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and
sugar. With a pastry cutter, or your fingers, cut in the vegetable shortening
until the mixture looks like little pebbles. Make a well in the center of the
mixture and add the curdled almond milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla, and gently
mix until everything is moistened. Carefully fold in the cherries and sugared
walnuts.