Happy World Nutella Day! Oatmeal Nutella Scones

I don't even have to explain, do I?  You probably already guessed , right?  Today is World Nutella Day!  You can click on the picture below for thousands of Nutella recipes. 

World Nutella Day was started by Ms. Adventures in Italy and Bleeding Espresso.  What does World Nutella Day mean?  Well, it means that we take a slight detour from our whole foods, almost-totally unprocessed kitchen and dive straight into the dark side.  The dark side is filled with sugar but so totally delicious that no one in this house will be minding when dinner time rolls around this evening.  Or, more accurately, dessert time.

I discovered this recipe on a new blog:  Portuguese Girl Cooks.  Interesting title, yes?  You should definitely check out this site.  Or, even better, check out this recipe from her site.  Oatmeal Nutella Scones.  Can you shout out a super loud, border-line obnoxious, Rachel Ray-style, yummo??

And, the recipe is a complete piece of cake.  Combine the dry ingredients...

That is:  flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and oatmeal.  Easy so far, right?  Whisk this all together.  Cut in the butter.  Make a well in the center.  Then, separate an egg. Keep the white. Whisk the egg yolk into the buttermilk...

Then, add this mixture and the Nutella into that well in the dry ingredients.  Is your mouth watering yet?

Remember, these are scones.  So you really don't want to play with this dough a whole lot.  Work it in the bowl with one hand.  Squeeze it together but only until it sticks together.  Then, STOP!  Take out a cookie sheet and line it with some parchment paper.  And, no, wax paper is NOT the same thing.  Wax paper does not work in the oven.  I say this from long ago experience when I was first learning my way around the kitchen.  Parchment paper.  Trust me.

Flatten your dough into about an 8 inch circle.  Score it but don't separate the dough.  Then, take a pastry brush and lightly brush the top of your scones with the egg white and sprinkle the top with some raw sugar if you've got some.  Bake them for 18-22 minutes and let cool for 5 minutes if at all possible.  Your house now smells like delicious, chocolatey, oatmeal cookies.  

Are you ready for the recipe now?  Here goes...

Oatmeal Nutella Scones

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup quick cooking rolled oats

3/4 stick cold unsalted butter (cut into 1/2 cubes)

1 large egg, separated
3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk

1/2 cup Nutella

2 tbs. raw sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Adjust the rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, the brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and oats. Add the cold butter, and using a pastry cutter (or 2 forks), cut the butter into the flour mixture until the butter is about the size of a pea and the mixture resembles chunky coarse sand.
3. Measure out the buttermilk and add the egg yolk into the buttermilk and whisk to combine. Reserve the egg white.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk and then the Nutella into the well. Using clean, dry hands, lightly dust them with flour, and gently mix and knead the dough just until it comes together. Do not overwork the dough.
5. Turn the dough onto the prepared baking sheet and shape the dough into a circle with a 8-inch diameter, about 1 1/2 inches high. You may have to dust your hands lightly with flour so the dough doesn't stick. Slightly beat the reserved egg white, and brush the top of the dough with it. Sprinkle with the raw sugar if using.
6. Cut the dough into 8 pieces, but do not separate the pieces. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, rotating the baking sheet half way through. Bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Re-slice the scones, and serve warm or allow to cool completely. 

Told ya' it was simple.  And, they are totally delicious.  Back to healthy, nutritious eating after dessert.  (sigh) 

 I hope you are enjoying a beautiful, Tuesday afternoon.  It is sunny and mid-60's and a walk is in order very soon.  There is Vitamin D  out there to be absorbed! 

Happy Tuesday from Charleston Treasures and Happy World Nutella Day!!