Mocha Cacao Scones
Some combos just go together so perfectly: PB & jelly, Netflix & chill (lol), Burgers & fries, and Coffee & chocolate. So of course as I was recipe testing in my mom’s kitchen and found a bag of Trader Joe’s dark chocolate cacao nibs, I instantly thought of throwing some espresso powder into the mix for that perfect mocha flavor.
This scone is less of a flaky scone and more of a thick cookie. It’s hard to describe but it’s delicious nonetheless! (And wayyyy easier to make might I add).
The best part about these is that they’re versatile. You can add different toppings such as chocolate chips, unsweetened coconut flakes, walnuts, etc. You can also mix the chocolate cacao nibs into the dough for that melted chocolate texture inside, or leave them on top for a nice instagram pic haha.
What can I substitute?
You can substitute the brown rice flour for oat flour if you don’t have any in your cabinet. The collagen peptides are also there for some added protein, but feel free to omit this ingredient if you don’t have it. But whatever you do, DO NOT sub protein powder for the collagen peptides. The protein will suck out the moisture and leave you with 6 gorgeous looking hockey pucks. The coconut oil can be subbed for ghee or butter, as long as you’re using a saturated fat, since these are solid at room temperature. Lastly, if you’d like to leave out the flavored extracts you can, but I highly recommend them for that added flavor kick!
What’s an egg wash?
If you’re wondering, “What in the hell is an egg wash?” don’t worry - it’s less fancy than it seems. An egg wash is lightly brushed egg on top that locks in moisture during the baking process so that your scones stay moist and don’t dry out in the oven. It also provides that pretty glistening sheen on top and sticking power for your delicious toppings.
Mocha Cacao Scones (GF, DF)
Ingredients:
Dry ingredients:
1 cup Almond flour
1/2 cup Brown rice flour*
1 Tbsp Coconut flour
2 scoops Collagen peptides (Optional)*
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Cocoa powder
1 tsp Espresso powder*
Dash of salt
Wet ingredients:
1 Egg
3 Tbsp Coconut oil, melted*
2.5 Tbsp Maple syrup
1/4 tsp Almond extract*
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp Hazelnut extract*
Add-ins:
3 Tbsp Dark chocolate cacao nibs* (Use Enjoy life chocolate chips to make it dairy free)
1 Egg for egg wash
What to do:
Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients together. Add in wet ingredients.
Shape dough into 6 scones and place onto lined baking sheet.
Using a fork, mix an egg into a small bowl. Lightly brush the tops of each scone with the egg mixture (using a silicone basting brush works best).
Sprinkle chocolate-covered cacao nibs onto the tops of each scone. (Add more if your heart desires!)
Bake at 350F for 17min (this was what worked best in my oven, but just look out for the tops to turn a golden-brown).
*Substitutions:
Brown rice flour - You can sub oat flour here
Collagen peptides - These are completely optional for added protein. Don’t try to substitute protein powder because that sucks up the moisture and will dry them out
Espresso powder - This is for that coffee flavor, but an instant coffee powder would work too
Coconut oil - Butter or ghee would work
Flavored extracts - These are for additional flavorings, but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them!
Dark chocolate cacao nibs - To make this recipe dairy-free, use dairy free chocolate chips such as Enjoy Life for the topping
Mocha Cacao Scones (GF, DF)
Ingredients
What to do
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients together. Add in wet ingredients.
- Shape dough into 6 scones and place onto lined baking sheet.
- Using a fork, mix an egg into a small bowl. Lightly brush the tops of each scone with the egg mixture (using a silicone basting brush works best).
- Sprinkle chocolate-covered cacao nibs onto the tops of each scone. (Add more if your heart desires!)
- Bake at 350F for 17min (this was what worked best in my oven, but just look out for the tops to turn a golden-brown).
Tips:
*Substitutions:
Brown rice flour - You can sub oat flour here
Collagen peptides - These are completely optional for added protein. Don’t try to substitute protein powder because that sucks up the moisture and will dry them out
Espresso powder - This is for that coffee flavor, but an instant coffee powder would work too
Coconut oil - Butter or ghee would work
Flavored extracts - These are for additional flavorings, but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them!
Dark chocolate cacao nibs - To make this recipe dairy-free, use dairy free chocolate chips such as Enjoy Life for the topping