Spiced Sultana Drop Scones

Spiced Sultana Drop Scones | A Sweet Spoonful

We turned on the light in the baby’s room last night and left it on until we went to bed. I’d initially turned it on to hang a watercolor before dinner and had forgotten all about it. An hour or so later, I yelled up the stairs to Sam that the light was still on but he already knew. He didn’t want to turn it off. When you’re almost a week past your due date, it’s nice to sense a little light in there.

Everyone says to enjoy it. To relish this time between the two of you. To catch up on books and movies and make foods you love. And we did this for awhile. But there is this inbetween-ness that won’t vacate the premises, a sense that we’re still firmly in one familiar world (answering work emails and raking leaves) while staring at the hospital bag that’s been packed for weeks and the empty carseat that lays waiting — signs of the next, not-so-familiar world. And yet, we are trying to enjoy it all. I go on long walks and sometimes Sam will join or I’ll meet up with a girlfriend. We’ve been preparing food for each other, seeing a few movies out, making fires, eating donuts and reading. We are ready, now more than ever. But Sprout seems to be letting us know that it’s not yet quite time yet.

Spiced Sultana Drop Scones | A Sweet Spoonful
The funny thing about this inbetween time (written about so well in this article forwarded by my friend, Lane) is that virtually everything feels like it’s on hold, like there’s this giant pause button that you carefully maneuver around with each passing day. Our dishwasher is broken but I haven’t called the repairman yet because, ‘what if I go into labor on the day he’s to arrive?’ I keep hemming and hawing when making follow-up doctor or acupuncture appointments, assuring each secretary that there’s no way I’ll be back so it’s really not necessary. And then, sure enough, the following week, wearing the same trusty pair of maternity jeans, I’m sheepishly strolling back in.

Spiced Sultana Drop Scones | A Sweet Spoonful

The more days that pass, the less comfortable I’m feeling in my body. Because I was lucky to have such an easy pregnancy, this part is certainly new and unexpected. For me, the difference between 39 weeks pregnant and almost 41 weeks is notable. My sister says this is what I get for proclaiming how much I loved being pregnant for all those months. That this is the universe’s way of saying ‘you did, did you?’ And she may be right. But I guess in the big picture of things these long, slow days will eventually become blips tumbling into one tangle of memories: lake walks, fallen leaves, coffee, baby manuals, movies, couch naps, ice cream, and doctor’s visits. Lentil stews, black leggings, squats in the shower, acupuncture needles, cod liver oil, and having Sam help hoist me out of bed in the morning. And what will replace those cloudy, tangled blips will be a tiny human that we’re very much hoping to meet this week. Until then, I have a feeling the nursery light will be on.

   *             *             *

I baked these scones late last night in a small bout of sleeplessness. I looked at a bunch of scone recipes I’ve developed in the past and sort of joined them all together, and the result is a new favorite. They’re humble, light and fragrant — not too sweet, very lightly spiced, and really good with butter and jam. Or just warm on their own. The fact that they’re drop scones and don’t require any rolling or shaping make them a great ‘I want to bake something quick and I don’t have a ton of energy treat. And it turns out they’re a most worthwhile time filler for all of the inbetween-ness. I hope you like them as much as we do.

Spiced Sultana Drop Scones

Spiced Sultana Drop Scones

  • Yield: 10 Scones
  • Prep time: 20 mins
  • Cook time: 16 mins
  • Inactive time: 10 mins
  • Total time: 46 mins

If you’re not familiar with sultanas, they’re really just a fancy name for golden raisins. The kind I use here look a little darker than the ones you may be used to seeing in stores because they’re unsulphered (sulpher dioxide is a preservative that makes them so pretty and golden) but certainly use whichever is easy for you to find. You could also use currents, regular raisins or dried cranberries instead.

Ingredients

1 cup (120g) whole wheat flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (140g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (45g) unrefined sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon packed orange zest
8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, sliced into small squares
1 large egg
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup (50g) sultana raisins (or regular raisins, dried currents or dried cranberries)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper (or spray with non-stick spray).

In a medium bowl, whisk together both flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, ground spices, salt and orange zest. Add the cubed butter and, using your hands or a pastry cutter, rub or cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles small, course peas. It’s o.k. to have a few larger chunks of butter.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and, with a large wooden spoon or flat spatula, stir until the dough gathers together in an uneven ball. Fold in the sultana raisins. Make sure all the flour is incorporated, but be careful not to overmix. Refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes.

Using a large spoon, drop 10 even mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 16-17 minutes, or until tops are golden brown. Let the scones cool on a wire rack before serving.

Comments

  1. Carly

    But how great are the horrified looks on people's faces when they ask when you are due, and you get to say, "Last week!" I went 41w3d with my son but the good news was, since he came out on his terms, it was a very quick first baby. Currently back to the waiting game at 39w1d, and so anxious that I may have two more weeks ahead of me. Best of luck!

  2. Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table

    I can this working beautifully as a gluten-free scone, or one with a mixture of spelt and white flour. What do you think? And I hope that Sprout decides to join you guys as soon as possible. Not having been through that stage myself, I can only imagine how frustrating the waiting must feel... But know that you are waiting for something truly great!

    1. megang

      Hi, Ksenia- I don't do a ton of gf baking so I can't really speak to that, but they'd be great 1/2 spelt and 1/2 all-purpose flour for sure. Hope you enjoy them, and thanks for the sweet comment!

  3. Amy

    Oh man, I was SO there with my son. I had such a great pregnancy, and when you feel great the whole time, the difference between 39 wks and 41 wks IS immense. I went into work, at my office, up until the day before we induced. I kept assuring my coworkers that I wouldn't be in the next day. My memory says that I wasn't as productive as you: I didn't put almost any meals away- our freezer was tiny! I hope that the next post we see is a sweet Sprout announcement!

  4. Mary

    This is such a sweet post - I wish that I could have read it when I was past due with my baby girl last January. So many walks around the mall with my husband, haha! Wishing you strength and energy and a safe labor and delivery. :o)

  5. Laurel

    That's exactly it--that tension of relishing in the present state and eagerness to begin a new chapter. The page will turn soon! :)

    Prayers and good thoughts for a safe delivery!

  6. Jenn

    Could be worse? Our daughter was unexpectedly born EARLY at 33w2d this last August (instead of October). The NICU and ISCU were the toughest 3 weeks of my life. A bit jealous of your lateness! ;-) that said, sending you lots of good vibes. Must be all consuming, the waiting. Good luck and hang in there - you'll be shocked how fast time moves before you know it!

  7. Audra

    These will do you well when that fine little baby shows its face - perfect for a quick baking impulse. I woke up, both the little guy and I under the weather, saw this on Instagram, and came straight to the kitchen and whipped up a batch (all the while making oatmeal for the boy, tea for myself and doing the dishes aka mothering). With baby, quick, easy, delicious is my MO. I didn't have a few things so didn't add sultanas, the zest, maple syrup or the ginger, but I subbed in some pomegranate molasses and they're perfect. Super light and tender but at the same time satisfying. Thanks for my new quick morning scone. The spices are great for this blustery day. Now come baby, come! When all else fails, put on the Byrds "turn turn turn" and repeat ad infinitum.

  8. Kathleen

    Both of my boys were past 40-weeks, too. My first came at 42, the day after I was to be induced (I labored for 40hrs) and my second at 41, 2 days. I learned with him that the average first baby comes 9 days post-due date! Does this help you? Somehow it helped me. I felt a little more normal. Plus, I wish I could've told my mom who happened to call EVERY DAY to see if I was in labor. "I will call you, Mom. I promise!"

    Soon that light will be on for nighttime feedings. Such a precious time coming before the month end.! (This much you know!)

  9. Eric

    Speedy Birth my sweet! e-

  10. Siobhan

    Happy Anxiousness....it is, of course, time-to-get-on-the-road!....and yet....it's out of our control. 27 years ago I waited in the summer heat....what WAS she thinking???? Today, I am sure she was busy reading and had to finish. Someday in the near future she'll be a professor, and I will remember the days she was simply too occupied to appear. All the very best. I know everyone has told you it goes too quickly. I can only say say, Enjoy, Mom!

  11. mcs3000

    Beautiful post, Megan - so excited for you + Sam... XO

  12. Carole

    I was like a cat on about tin roof as 1 week late turned into 2 and then 2 1/2 with our first baby. I was so edgy that every time the phone rang my stomach knotted up and I hoped it was finally news about the baby. True story! My best to you as you wait for your little one to "call".

  13. Catherine

    Curry, eat lots of curry!

    These scones look great!

  14. Liz

    I'm a grandma now, but you never forget those last few weeks of being PG. The feeling that you're going to be able to take a deep breath and lie on your tummy any day now! (Except, if you nurse, you're still a little tender lying face down!).
    Good luck. These are some of the best memories you'll ever have.
    Great post. It certainly brought back my memories!

  15. Katie

    First, congratulations on you sweet baby boy! I'm sure your days and nights are topsy turvy right now and catching up on blog comments is low on your priority list, but I just wanted to say these scones are.... freaking delicious. The way the spices blend together is divine. I had no raisins or cranberries or anything like that on hand, but I did have dates, which I pitted and chopped up and they made a delicious addition, too. It was so nice waking up early this morning, putting some coffee on, and baking these scones -- like therapy. My husband slept in a bit today and was so pleasantly surprised by the scone breakfast. Thanks for sharing the recipe, and I hope you're enjoying these sweet first days with your new little man.

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