Orange Chocolate Chip Scones

  

These taste just as good as any scone I've ever had at a coffee shop.  So save yourself the money and don't buy them - bake them!  They are so flavorful and sweet compared to most; they're almost more like a chocolate chip cookie than a scone.  They have just the right amount of orange flavor, which pairs so well with the chocolate chips.  They do an amazing job soaking up coffee, too.  When dunked, they get soft instantly and [melt in your mouth.]

Yield: 12 scones

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup orange juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With a pastry blender or a large fork, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chocolate chips. Mix in the orange juice to form a dough.

3. Shape dough to desired shapes (I did circles because it was easy, but triangles are common too) about 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick. Transfer the scones to the baking sheet.

4. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Move to wire racks to cool.