Delicious Date Scone Recipe For BLW and Toddler
Table of Contents
Date Scone Recipes - Are They A Good Choice For BLW
Date scone recipes are an excellent choice for baby led weaning and fussy eating due to its use of natural ingredients and absence of added sugars. This easy-peasy combination of dates, flour, and a few other wholesome components makes it quick to prepare, allowing for minimal time in the kitchen and maximum enjoyment at the table, which is what we all need at the end of the day!
Dates provide natural sweetness and a soft texture as they are chopped small, making these scones appealing to little ones while also offering nutritional benefits. The straightforward method also means that parents can easily whip up a batch, ensuring that their children receive healthy easy recipes without the fuss of complicated instructions, plus they are a great recipe for the whole family too.
Eggless Scone Recipe
This egg-free date scone recipe is perfect for babies following a baby-led weaning (BLW) approach, providing a delightful and nutritious treat without the need for eggs.
To make it dairy-free or vegan, simply substitute the unsalted butter with a quality vegan butter and use plant-based milk, such as almond, oat, or soy milk.
These simple swaps maintain the scones' light and fluffy texture while ensuring they remain suitable for those with dietary restrictions. With the natural sweetness from the dates the sugar content is low, and the scones offer a wholesome, flavourful option for your little one to enjoy.
Are These The Same As Drop Scones
Drop scones and scones differ in their texture and preparation. Drop scones, also known as Scotch pancakes here in the UK, are a thicker, batter-like mixture that is spooned directly onto a hot griddle or frying pan, resulting in a softer, fluffier consistency.
Scones are made from a drier dough that is rolled out and cut into shapes before being baked in the oven, making a more crumbly and dense product. While both can be enjoyed with unsalted butter or berries, their distinct characteristics set them apart within the world of baked goods.
Babies Readiness Signs
Babies typically show several signs of readiness to start weaning and begin baby-led weaning (BLW) around six months of age. These signs can include the ability to sit up independently without support, showing interest in food by reaching for it or watching others eat, and a decrease in the tongue-thrust reflex, which allows them to move food to the back of their mouth.
A baby may demonstrate an ability to grasp small items and bring them to their mouth, indicating fine motor skills development. It is essential to observe these signs to ensure that the baby is physically and developmentally ready for this important transition in their diet and finding the best baby food whether you make it yourself or not. Top tips and starter tips and baby essentials can be found here for your fuss-free food journey. There can be little information out there so hope it helps. Popular baby recipes can be found here too.
Ingredient information
Butter - I have used an unsalted butter at room temperature, I find this easier to combine with the flour when using my hands.
Dates - I have used dates and they are better soaked in hot water to make them super soft. You could use dried apricots too as an alternative. Or you could make this a sultana scone recipe and use chopped sultanas instead.
Lemon - I have used a little lemon to offset the sweetness of the dates and for flavour too. Mixed with the milk makes a buttermilk consistency.
Milk - I have used whole milk but you can use a semi skimmed milk too if you prefer.
Baking powder - I have added a little extra raising agent that is needed for the scones to bake a lovely rise.
Self raising flour - I have used self raising flour as this makes for a lighter scone texture. You could use wholemeal flour or a combination of the two flours for a more nutritious bake.
Serving suggestion
The no added sugar date scone recipe would be great served sliced in half with a little unsalted butter or simply on their own.
You could serve with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries such as blueberries and strawberries.
Similar recipes you may like: Cheese scone, Apple oat slice or Banana and carrot muffin.
Storage instructions
The date scones can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
They can alternatively be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, in an airtight container or freezer bags.
To defrost the scones successfully, leave the scones in an airtight container overnight until they are fully defrosted.
To reheat preheat your oven to 180C or 350F and place on a lined baking sheet and warm through for 10 minutes or so. Leave to cool slightly before serving. Always check they are not too hot before serving to your baby.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Baking sheet - I have chosen to use a non-stick and BPA free baking sheet - they are easy to clean and, if you buy more than one, easily stackable and easily stored.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Large mixing bowl - Definitely choose a stainless steel one - they are lighter than the stone or glass ones and very easy to clean.
Recipe | Delicious Date Scone Recipe For BLW and Toddler
Delicious Date Scone Recipe For BLW and Toddler
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180C or 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Start by placing the dates in a small bowl and pouring boiling hot water over the dates until covered and leave to soak for 5 minutes or so until soft.
- Add the milk to a small bowl and add the lemon juice and leave for 5 minutes with the dates.
- Place the butter and the flour into a large bowl and rub together using your hands until you have a fine crumb consistency. Add in the baking powder and gently mix together. This is your dry ingredients done.
- Add in the milk and lemon, this will have thickened and be almost like a buttermilk.
- Drain the dates and cut into small pieces. Add to the scone mixture. This is all your wet ingredients done.
- Using your hands, bring everything together until you have formed a large soft dough ball.
- Flour a work surface and place the dough on the floured surface.
- Using a rolling pin or you can just use your hands, roll or press down the dough until you have an equally rolled or flattened dough approx 1 inch thick.
- Cut the dough in half, in half again so that you have 4 quarters. Cut the triangles in half so that you have 8 triangle scones. You could use a scone cutter if you prefer or a silicone muffin tray could also work.
- Milk wash the tops of the scones and carefully lay each triangle onto your prepared baking sheet, evenly spaced apart.
- Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Leave to cool before enjoying on a wire rack!
Notes
You can easily make this date scone recipe dairy free or vegan by using a vegan butter and plant based milk such as oat milk or soy milk.
Easy healthy recipes are always great to make in advance to save time in the future, this is why this recipe is great.
You could also blitz together the flour and butter in a food processor if you prefer.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
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