Downton Abbey Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones

Downton Abbey's Final Season, Episode 2, that airs Sunday night, takes place at the Annual Village Stock Show. Pigs feature prominently, so I thought it would be a good time to post a recipe for Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones. Some maple bacon scone recipes call for a glaze, but I prefer my scones not so sweet. I can always add clotted cream and jam. You can change up this recipe by using your favorite chocolate and by substituting candied bacon. This is a great breakfast scone with coffee or tea or an evening scone with a dark stout.

The following recipe is adapted from the Bacon Today website. If you're into bacon, you'll want to check out the site for Bacon Recipes, Bacon Shop, Bacon News, and more.

MAPLE BACON CHOCOLATE CHIP SCONES

3 cups flour (plus extra for work area)

Photo: Bacon Today

1/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 Tbsp maple syrup
3/4 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark)
1/2 cup bacon bits (you can also used candied bacon bits)
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
*to make sour milk, simply combine 1 Tbsp white vinegar for every cup of milk, then let sit for 15 minutes

Directions
Preheat oven to 425° F.
Combine flour, sugar, cream of tartar, baking soda, and baking power in medium bowl. Add soft butter and cut with pastry blade or by crossing 2 knives. When mixture resembles fine crumbs, add in chocolate chips and bacon bits. Combine until chips and bits are coated in flour mixture.
Add sour milk and maple syrup. Mix well.
Turn mixture onto  floured working surface. Knead dough, adding enough extra flour to make slightly stiff dough. Shape into rectangle, about 3/4 inch thick. Cut dough into squares, then cut each square into triangles.
Place triangles on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned.