Blueberry Lemon Shortcakes with Lemon Whipped Cream

July 10, 2014 by 12 Comments
If I was asked which baked breakfast good I would not want to live without, I think it would be a tie between cinnamon buns and scones.
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And that’s serious business because I love breakfast and all of its choices so very much. But…scones. They are just perfect little breakfast packages, whether made sweet or savory. You can eat them as is, slather them with butter or jam, or sandwich them around eggs and cheese and bacon. Scones are just a breakfast dream, waiting to happen.
And if you want to make a scone decidely breakfast-inappropriate, you could serve it alongside a cloud of freshly whipped cream and a pile of berries. (Although I totally wouldn’t judge you if you ate it for breakfast. In fact, I’d probably high-five you).
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Last week I had a bunch of blueberries that were about to go past their prime. I had also bought a giant bag of lemons the week before. Sidenote: I never seem to have a lemon on hand when I really need one, so I decided that it would be a great idea to buy a huge bag of them and use lemon in everything (fresh lemon water, homemade salad dressings, etc.). And of course, once I had a copious amount of lemons I failed to use them in all the ways I had imagined. Why does the world work this way? Anyways…so there I was with blueberries and lemons that needed a good home. The idea of fresh blueberry scones with a little lemon zip got me started. As the scones were baking in the oven, I got an invite to dinner that evening and offered to bring dessert. It was divine intervention, really. The only solution was to make the scones even better by turning them into shortcakes!
And dang, they did not disappoint. I added a little more lemon zest to the freshly whipped cream, which really brought out the lemon flavor in the scones themselves. These little shortcakes were the perfect summer evening dessert and were so easy to put together. They’re pretty too! I am envisioning many blueberry shortcakes in my future this summer! Maybe even for breakfast.
Blueberry Lemon Shortcakes with Lemon Whipped Cream 
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These scones are lovely on their own with a cup of coffee or tea, but the whipped cream and extra blueberries take them to a whole other level. Either way, try to enjoy them on the same day that they are made. Makes 9 scones/shortcakes.
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For the Blueberry Lemon Scones (adapted from Kitchen Trial and Error):
1 3/4 cup flour
2 TBSP. sugar
1 1/2 TBSP. baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold
1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Zest from one lemon
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For the glaze:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup icing sugar, sifted
1 TBSP. unsalted butter, melted
Zest from one lemon
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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and zest. Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add the blueberries. Add the milk and vanilla and bring the dough together. Turn out onto a floured surface and shape it into a square. Cut into 9 pieces. One thing I did not do here but will the next time I make these is to brush to the tops of the scones with more milk (to help the tops brown a little bit more in the oven). Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Whisk the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl and drizzle over the scones while they are still warm. Cool completely on a wire rack.
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To make the shortcakes:
1 cup whipping cream
1 TBSP. sugar
Zest from two lemons
1-2 cups fresh blueberries
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Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fold in the sugar and zest. Slice each scone in half. Top the bottom half with a couple spoonfuls of the whipped cream, sprinkle with blueberries, and top with the other half.
Filed Under: Fruit, Summer, Sweet Treats Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Quick Hello | Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins

August 31, 2013 by 22 Comments

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins | Once Upon a Recipe

Summer is whizzing by in a blur of hot sunny days and mosquito-filled evenings that are becoming cooler and cooler. There have been friends, dog park days, too many pints of beer, too many froyo indulgences, and ultimate frisbee. Oh, and crossfit torture bootcamp. I bought a new car! I’m becoming addicted to Breaking Bad (Walt Jr. is my favorite). I went raspberry picking on a raspberry farm. When I need a laugh, I watch this video (just ridiculous). I can’t get enough green juice. What’s goin’ on with you?

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins | Once Upon a Recipe

I’ll be honest. I have spent very little time in my kitchen over the past couple of weeks. I’ve just been churning out the essentials. Quick, easy, one-pot meals. A batch of granola for breakfasts. Green juice after green juice. Not a lot of fun or experimenting going on. BUT.

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins | Once Upon a Recipe

One morning I found the time to whip up a batch of these delicious and healthy muffins. Dudes, they’re made with whole wheat flour, wheat germ, greek yogurt, and coconut oil. And they taste good. Pinky swear.

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins | Once Upon a Recipe

As I’ve mentioned before, I love eating muffins for breakfast. But they’ve got to have some health to them or I just can’t justify it. I can totally get down with eating cake for breakfast, but not on the regular. In several short weeks I will enter the last year of my twenties (oy) and I’m already discovering that the old metabolism ain’t quite what it used to be. Hence the crossfit torture bootcamp. PS. It will be nothing short of a miracle if I can ever walk normally again.

Anyways, these muffins are full of good-for-you things, and they really are delicious. And completely guilt-free. I’ve made them a couple of times with blueberries, but I think raspberries or blackberries would work well too. Healthy muffin goodnesss! Time to get back to this spectacular summer living, but I’ll be back soon. I hope you’re all enjoying the summer livin’ too! xo

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins | Once Upon a Recipe

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins (slightly adapted from Martha Stewart Living magazine, June 2013 issue)

Makes 12. 

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup low-fat or fat-free plain greek yogurt

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 pint fresh blueberries

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Combine the flours, wheat germ, baking soda, and salt, and whisk together in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, yogurt, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture to the yogurt mixture and gently mix together until just combined. Fold in the blueberries.

Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins | Once Upon a Recipe

Filed Under: Breakfast, Fruit Tagged With: , , , , , ,

How To Beat The Winter Blues | Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread

January 17, 2013 by 16 Comments

Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread | Once Upon a Recipe

Do you ever have days where you just can’t, and I mean CANNOT, muster up the energy to do something that you really need to do? As in, even if someone offered you $100 to complete this task, you still just couldn’t do it?

For example, today I just CANNOT do the dishes. The sink is full of them. Dirty pots and pans, crusty bowls, cups, even things that I really just should have put in the dishwasher, but even the idea of opening up the dishwasher door, pulling out the rack, and placing these items in their proper place was just too much for this old gal.

Friends, I haven’t done the dishes in 3 days. THREE. Eww. They’re even starting to…smell. (I can’t believe I just admitted that.)

Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread | Once Upon a Recipe

And you know who is to blame? Winter. Cold, dreary, let’s-get-dark-at-five-o’clock-just-when-everyone-is-getting-off-work-so-they-get-zero-vitamin-D-cause-that’s-fun (not) winter. It is during these months that it takes practically all I’ve got to not change into my sweatpants, wrap myself in a snuggie (yes, I own a snuggie), and watch TV/surf Pinterest all night long with a bottle of wine and a plate of leftover Christmas cookies at my side. Hmm…that’s a frightening visual. My apologies.

Don’t worry, I’ve figured out a few ways to beat those winter blues. Running, yoga, and the thought of not being able to fit into any of my clothes come May, to name a few. Oh, and bread! Bright, summery, delicious bread!

Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread | Once Upon a Recipe

A trick from Joy…rub the zest into the sugar to release the essential oils in the zest = flavor town.

Let’s take a break from hot soups and casseroles and other wintery things, mmm-k? Let’s smack winter in the face and enjoy the flavors of summer!

Real talk: I first made this bread back in September, when it was technically still summer. Blueberries were at their seasonal prime. BUT! I have seen fresh blueberries pop up at my local supermarket on more than one occasion as of late. And if all else fails, use frozen blueberries.

Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread | Once Upon a Recipe

Don’t be discouraged! We’re all going to get through this together. Just make yourself a loaf of this bread, enjoy a slice or two with your morning tea or coffee, and let’s start plotting all of the fun we’re going to have this summer. It’ll be here before we know it!

Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread | Once Upon a Recipe

Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread (adapted from allrecipes.com)

It’s no secret that lemon and blueberries are a match made in heaven. The walnuts in this bread add a nice little twist, and the glaze adds some extra moisture and tartness. If this bread won’t get you out of bed on a cold, dark morning, I’m not sure what will!

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

Zest from 2 lemons

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 TBSP. butter, melted

2 TBSP. vegetable oil

1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

For the glaze:

Juice from 2 lemons

3 TBSP. sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a dry skillet, toast the walnuts over medium-high heat for a few minutes or until just fragrant. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, lemon zest, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, melted butter and oil. Whisk to combine.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add  the liquid mixture and stir gently until just combined; do not over-mix. Gently fold in the walnuts and blueberries.

Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan (8″x4″). Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on rack for 20 minutes; remove from pan.

For the glaze, combine the lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and continue stirring until the sugar dissolves. Pour the glaze over the bread while still warm. Slice and enjoy! Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap and consume within a few days.

Lemon Blueberry Walnut Bread | Once Upon a Recipe

PS. For the health of all those involved, my sink of dirty dishes has been taken care of. No need to send help.

Filed Under: Bread, Breakfast Tagged With: , , , ,