Whole Grain Cardamom Scones with Fresh Strawberries

I love sweets, chocolate, and desserts just as much as the next person, but I think that healthy treats (like the one above) can be just as tempting and even more satisfying and delicious ! These scones are packed with nutritious ingredients like flax seeds, whole grain flour, nuts and fruits and then topped with fresh, healthy California strawberries that can make your mouth water by simply smelling their sweet aroma. What a great time for strawberries!

Whole Grain Cardamom Scones with Fresh Strawberries

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (white whole wheat, it’s wonderful and healthy)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (I used walnuts and almonds)
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped, dried cherries
1/4 cup chopped, dried ginger, pineapple, papaya (or your favorites)
1 stick butter
1 cup buttermilk (shaken well)|
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of ginger
4-5 green cardamom pods (crack, discard shell and crush the tiny seeds with mortar and pestle)
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
a little sugar for dusting

Preparation

Add all dried ingredients, including flax seeds (except nuts and fruit) into a food processor and pulse about 10 times. Cut butter into little pieces and add to the flour mixture in the processor. Pulse about 20 times until the mixture looks a little like cornmeal and then transer to a large bowl.

Work the mixture with your fingers with a sort of rubbing motion to make sure that all of the butter is mixed into the flour. Add the fruit and nuts.

Mix the vanilla extract with the buttermilk and add to the bowl with the flour mixture. Stir until incorporated and then turn out onto clean, floured surface.

Knead about 5 times until a nice doughy consistency, adding a little extra flour if necessary. It shouldn’t be wet or too dry. Flatten out so that it’s about an inch thick.

With a floured,heart-shaped cooking cutter, cut several scones out. Press the scraps together and make a couple more. If you want traditional, triangular scones, create a round flat surface and cut into pie-like pieces. Place on lightly buttered or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush the top of each scone with buttermilk and lightly sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 425 for about 15 minutes until a little golden brown. Remove and place scones on cooling rack.

Topping
1 lb fresh strawberries,
1 tablespoon sugar (or more, depending on tartness of strawberries)

Preparation
Rinse strawberries, dry and remove stem
Cut in small pieces
Sprinkle with sugar, mix together and let sit for about 30 minutes
Spoon strawberries over scone

Serving Suggestion
These scones are ideal for breakfast or brunch, served with good coffee or tea. It would also be a great dessert with a dollop of whipped cream!