These Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones are moist, "buttery" and studded with sweet chocolate chips! They come together in one bowl and can be made refined sugar free too.
120g(⅔cup)dark chocolate chips *** (ensure vegan/gluten-free if necessary)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
Place the coconut oil in a large bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave (skip this step if using any other oil).
Once melted, add the vinegar to the same bowl along with the maple syrup, vanilla, salt and ground almonds.
Sift in the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.
Mix well until a dough forms, adding the milk a little bit at a time to ensure you don't add too much - it should be soft, but firm enough to mould easily. You can add a tiny splash more milk if it's looking too dry.
Add the chocolate chips and mix them into the dough.
Line a baking tray with greased baking paper.
Use your hands to shape the dough into a slightly elongated circular shape about 2 cm (1 inch) thick - you can also use a floured rolling pin for this, but I prefer to do it with my hands because it's easier. There's no need to use a floured surface as the baking paper works to stop the dough from sticking.
Keeping the dough in that shape, use a knife to carve the surface of the dough into eight - cut in half first, then each half into half, and each quarter into half again until you end up with eight even triangles. It's a bit like cutting up a pizza, but make sure not to cut all the way down through the dough - this is because they come out fluffier when baked pressed together!
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until browned and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
Leave to cool slightly, then slice them into separate pieces.
Tastes best when fresh, but keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days.
Notes
*The vinegar is crucial as its acidity needs to react with the alkali bicarbonate of soda to make the scones fluffy. If you don't want to use vinegar, replace with 2 tablespoons lemon juice instead.**You can alternatively use almond flour.***To keep the scones refined sugar free, you can use refined sugar free dark chocolate chips or chunks.