Baked Nutella Scones

Another recipe from a fantastic cookbook, Baked Explorations. I made this as part of my baking group and then never posted this winning recipe. See what the other bakers thought about this recipe.

I thought this was the most humorous way to make a scone.

Rolled like a cinnamon roll.

And then put on end and smashed flat to cut.

So yummy.  Every one loved these.

NUTELLA SCONES

Yield: 6-8 scones

Ingredients:
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup dark sweetened cocoa powder (like Valrhona)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
1 large egg
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup toasted hazelnuts,coarsely chopped (I didn't use)
1/2 cup Nutella

Baked Note
Matt & Renato's advice: Do Not Knead Too Much. Stop working the dough the minute it comes together and don't worry if there are a few dry bits scattered throughout.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place the rack in the center.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until combined.
Add the butter. Use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until the butter is pea size and the mixture is coarse.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and cream. 
Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until the dough just comes together.  Gently and briefly knead the dough with your hands. 
Add the toasted hazelnuts and knead gently to incorporate. 
Flatten the dough into a rectangle approximately 6 by 12 inches. ( it doesn't need to precise) and spread 1/4 cup of the Nutella on top in a criss cross pattern. 
Roll the dough up to make a cylinder about 6 inches long, turn it on its end, and gently flatten it into a disk about 1 3/4 inches high. Do not overwork the dough.
Cut the dough into 6 or 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the scones for 18-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a scone comes out clean.  Do not over bake.
Transfer the scones to a wire rack to cool completely.  Place the baking sheet with the parchment still on it underneath the rack.

Assembling the Nutella Scones:

Heat the remaining 1/4 cup Nutella in a microwave until pourable, about 10 seconds on high.  Pierce the tops of the scones a few times with a fork.  Use a spoon ( or two spoons-one to scoop, one to scrape) to drip the warm Nutella in a zigzag pattern over the tops of the hot scones.  Transfer them to a refrigerator to set for 5 minutes, then serve immediately.

Most scones have a lifespan of 24hours or less; however, these scones taste pretty darn good on day two provided you wrap them tightly and store them at room temperature.

Helpful Hints for Scones
Break up your butter in small cubes and then freeze them-helps prevent your butter softening/melting before you have your scone dough formed.
Let your scones be crumbly. Barely mix the cream into the butter and then press the dough. Remember the scone mantra-Don't Overwork the dough.