Die-hard bakers will definitely be questioning the legitimacy of these so called scones. They're not white, or fluffy, or filled with butter. I can figuratively hear Mary Berry's heart breaking over my title right about....now (such a sassy ol'gal). But let's just go with scone, because "hippy-dippy-healthy-good-for- you-scone-like-creation" isn't that appealing, now is it? These coffee time treats are modelled after a combination of my favourite scone from a Vancouver roastery and my mum's go to choice in my hometown's health-food cafe (although her favourite is studded with ginger and mine with berries). Scrapping both of those, I opted instead for pear + hazelnut which is one of my favourite flavour combos and just screams falllll to me. The addition of some chocolate doesn't hurt, especially beside a cup of morning coffee (seriously dream worthy combo).

The scones can be made up ahead of time and stored in the freezer for a couple of days before cooking. Perfect for those chilly mornings like today when it's hard to muster oneself out of bed. Simply pull out a frozen scone, pop it in the oven and get cozy while it gets all melty and warm. Speaking of cozy, the weather has turned a little wet and windy here, and the sun is now beginning to set noticeably earlier. In anticipation of these darker nights I've begun to get my craft game on again. I signed up for a vegetable soap making class (which I'm dorkily excited about) and pulled out the old sewing machine to make a new linen jumpsuit, because who likes waistbands anyways? What are your autumn evening pastimes these days?

WEEKEND LINKS + LOVES

CHOCOLATE PEAR + HAZELNUT SCONES

3/4 Cup Whole Grain Spelt Flour

1 1/4 Cup Ground Almonds

1/4 tsp. Sea Salt

1/4 tsp. Baking Soda

3/4 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips

1/4 Cup Toasted Hazelnuts, Chopped

1 Pear, peeled and diced, (about 1 cup)

2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup

2 Tbsp. Melted Coconut Oil (slightly cooled)

2 Tbsp. Apple Sauce or Pear Sauce

2 Tbsp. Almond Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla 1.Begin by heating a pan on medium heat and adding a small dollop of oil and the pear. Saute just until the pear is softened and golden. Set aside to cool. 2. In a bowl mix all the dry ingredients together - flour, almonds, salt, baking soda, baking powder, hazelnuts and chocolate chips. 3. In another bowl, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, apple sauce, milk, vanilla, and pears. 4. Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix just until combined. Flatten the mixture into a 3-4 cm (1 1/2 inch) disk and slice into six triangles. Arrange the sones on a parchment lined baking sheet and gently press some raw hazelnuts on the top of each one. Set in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to firm up before baking. 5. Bake in a 180 C (350 F) oven for 25-30 minutes. Let cool slightly before enjoying!

xox Sophie