whole wheat vanilla scones

last thursday morning i woke up craving a scone. more specifically, i craved a scone that i could slather with homemade peach butter i completely forgot about until i stumbled on a few jars in the basement while getting jarred apples for the baby the night before. i was so dead set on scones that after i got us up and ready for the day, i plunked him and a few toys in his high chair in the kitchen next to me. much to my surprise, in the 15 minutes or so it took me to whip these and coffee together, he never touched a single toy. instead, his eyes moved from me, to whatever ingredient i had in my hand, to the cupboard i opened. he was fascinated. and it made my scones a heck of a lot easier.

if you love vanilla as much as i do, then these scones are for you. i bought myself vanilla bean paste as a birthday present the last time i was grocery shopping. i love the flecks of vanilla bean seeds it gives to the scones. not too sweet and not too vanilla-ey, they're perfect spread with jam or butter. i spread mine with a smidge of salted butter and a generous amount of deb's peach butter that i made last summer. i know, i completely forgot to tell you guys about it! don't worry, i'll remind you again this summer, when we're in the thick of peach season and i made another batch for next winter. 

whole wheat vanilla scones
30 minutes, makes 6 scones

i like using vanilla bean paste in these since it peppers the vanilla bean seeds throughout. if you don't have any on hand, replace it with additional vanilla extract.

1 cup flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
about 2 tablespoons sugar for topping (optional)

1. preheat your oven to 375F. line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. whisk the flour,s sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
3. using your hands or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. add the milk, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean paste and mix just until combined.
5. turn the dough out onto the baking sheet and use your hands to form it into a rough circle or square. cut into about 6 equal pieces.
6. sprinkle the bottom of your mixing bowl with a layer of sugar. turn each scone over into the sugar, coating the top. turn right side (sugar side) up and place on the baking sheet.
7. bake for about 15 minutes. transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.