Healthy Wholemeal Lunchtime Scones


As a mother, one of the great advantages to school holidays is that early mornings are free of the chore of packing lunches. Every parent knows how disheartening it is to spend time making  lunch only for it to return untouched in the evening. So I generally try to include a few bits in the lunch box that are guaranteed to be eaten. For our bodies to function at it's best so much is dependent on how and what we eat. With this in mind, for little ones to make the most of their day at school, it's important that they eat a healthy filling lunch.


Even tough recently there has been a lot of discussions in the media about what we put into our children's sandwiches it can often be more important what we use to make these sandwiches with. The over consumption of processed white bread can be detrimental to good health. It is made from refined flour and has very little nutrients or fibre. New research has shown that it's not necessarily carbohydrates that lead to weight gain but more the type of carbs that are eaten. More refined and processed foods such as white bread are one of the worst culprits! So it's no harm to limit our white bread intake and where possible substitute it with a healthier alternative.
 Most children like to bring a sandwich as part of their lunch but as a nice change a homemade scone would certainly be well received. The wonderful thing about these scones is that you can make a large batch of them at the beginning of the week, freeze and then simply defrost in the microwave each morning. This will only  take a minute and the scone will taste perfectly fresh. The scones could be served with just butter and jam or your child's favourite sandwich filler would also be perfect.



Healthy Wholemeal Lunchtime Scones

Ingredients:
600g Plain Flour
300g wholemeal flour 
2 teasp baking powder
Pinch of salt
75g caster sugar
170g Butter
2 eggs
450mls milk
For Glaze:
Egg wash - some beaten egg with a little milk
Granulated sugar-on a small plate { don't put on scones if filling with a savoury filler}


Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6
2. Sieve all the dry ingredients together into a large mixing bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon.
3. Cut the butter into small cubes, toss in the flour and rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
4. Whisk the eggs with the milk.
5. Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the whisked egg and milk to the dry ingredients.
6. Mix together with a wooden spoon, then use your hands to make a soft dough.
7. Turn dough out onto a floured board. Wash and dry hands. Knead lightly- not too much as the scones would become tough. Roll out the dough and cut out using a circular cutter.
8. Brush the tops with the egg wash and dip into the granulated sugar.
9. Bake in the oven for 10-12mins until golden brown. Remove and cool on a wire tray.



11 Comments:

Sue/the view from great island said...

You're so right on this. So many parents load their kids' lunches with 'healthy' food that never gets eaten. They need the energy and the calories at school, so I think it's better to send them off with things you know they'll eat. My kids would have loved these scones and butter in their lunches, and I'd enjoy the leftovers!

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks so much Sue. I'm delighted that you always take the time to comment! Hope you're having a good day. :)

Donna OShaughnessy said...

I am SOOOOO going to try these scones for my grandkids. They spend the nigh with me Sunday nights (their ma works the night shift at the hospital) and I'm the lucky "Yaya" who sends them to school. This monday am they get scones. They will be delighted I am sure

Emer O'Brien said...

I am going to try these Nessa, am delighted to find something so lovely and in Brown flour too, will be having them tomorrow

Nessa Robins said...

They are very lucky Grand kids Donna!
I met a lady today with 4 children who now all have their own children and she says that her life is busier now than when her own were young. But she wouldn't want it any other way. So many grand parents are just brilliant. I hope yours enjoy the scones. :)
Thanks Emer for your comment. If you would like to make them a little healthier you could add a handful of seeds or just top the scones with some. My boys aren't so keen on seeds hence I don't have any on the ones pictured.

Lilly Higgins said...

A great sandwich alternative! The photos are really beautiful Nessa! Great to meet you last week x

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks Lilly! I love those 'foodie' days, I'm already looking forward to next day out :)

Helena Moloney said...

I'm completely bowled over by the quality of your pics, so thought provoking and inspiring. Such an easy to follow, beautiful blog!

Nessa Robins said...

Thank you Helena! What a lovely compliment. I really love setting up the food and taking the pics. As for the whole set up of the blog I have my very talented 9 yr old to thank for that. :)

Unknown said...

Nessa delicious scones. Can I freeze them raw? I have a party coming up and want to prepare some in advance to bake on the morning. Rgds Caroline

Nessa Robins said...

Hi Caroline. I don't think that I would freeze the scone dough. I've a feeling that the raising agents wouldn't work as well. Once the cooked scones are completely cold you can wrap them tightly, with greaseproof & cling film, and then freeze. These can then be thawed out and popped into the oven for a few minutes, when needed, or simply pop the frozen ones straight into the microwave for about 1 minute, or maybe less. This is what I normally do & they turn out well. Best of luck!