Gingerbread Scones and A Tour of Pixar

I loaded these scones up with spices, cranberries and walnuts then covered all their spicy  fresh baked goodness with a light vanilla scented glaze.  Why did I do this?  Just to make the house smell divine or to add to my stash of homemade baked goods? Yes, all of the above but also to say Merry Christmas to everyone.  Besides making scones to share, I also want to share our tour of Pixar earlier this week. My husband Scott, our daughter and three beautiful grandchildren all enjoyed a fabulous tour of Pixar.  We were greeted at the door by Tia an Art Director at Pixar Animation Studios as well as figures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear created  from Lego's.

The boys went crazy checking out all the characters, special exhibits and animated films they have on display throughout their large open atrium style building.  Pixar is both an adult and a child's paradise to explore.

The kids wanted to reach out and touch everything! There are plenty of restricted areas where all the top secret things happen but the areas we were allowed to see were fascinating.  Do you recognize any of these characters?

We enjoyed an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the animation studios including a restricted area where the animators for movies like Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Monster, Inc. and Cars work. Tia instructed us to stay together, be very quiet and not to touch anything.  Within seconds of that instruction JD, my three year old grandson managed to break away from the group, grab a large rainbow snake hanging from a tall heavy lamp post leaning against a wall and pull the entire thing down with a crash and a shriek by him as well as the rest of us. Everyone within earshot come running out of their top secret cubicles to see what all the noise was about!  JD was beside himself and Tia, our tour guide offered to pay for any damages.  But, the guys said, no harm done and nothing was broken, whew!  What a thrill, maybe it's time for lunch?  Good thing he didn't break this little gold statue!

They have a Toy Story video game set up in the main atrium area that my grandson Noah could not wait to sit down and check out!  When it was time for lunch, which we enjoyed from the Pixar cafeteria,Luxo Café, we had fresh salads, pizza from a wood burning pizza oven, panini as well as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made for the boys by our tour guide!  Who cares about lunch?  Actually they loved their PBJs, thanks Tia!

Here is my cute husband Scott with our sweet granddaughter Gracie Jane waiting for lunch while the boys shared the video game:)

No tour of Pixar would be complete without a visit to shop at the Pixar store!  Of course JD wanted the same toy that Noah picked out so we bought two of these huge helicopters which they both fell asleep holding in the car on their way home.

So goodbye to Pixar and back to my recipe for gingerbread scones.

When these gingerbread scones were still warm with the glaze dripping off them I inhaled, yes, inhaled one of them because I literally lost control of my ability to eat slow and savor every bite.  My scone just disappeared in front of my eyes and I was left with the feeling that I should eat another one but slowly this time!  

In the old days people would drop by for a visit in pony and cart if you drop by my house like that I will happily make you a batch of these scones to go with a pot of tea.

Ingredients and Directions for Gingerbread Scones

Makes 8 wedges

1/3 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup molasses

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits

1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat the oven to 425°

Using a glass measuring cup measure the buttermilk to the 1/3 mark in the cup, add the molasses to the 2/3 mark and stir in the orange zest blending the mixture.

Mix together the flour, spices and salt in a medium bowl.  Add the butter bits to the dry ingredients by rubbing them in with your finger tips until the mixture resembles small flakes.  Add the buttermilk mixture and stir until it forms a soft dough.  Add the cranberries and walnuts.

Form the dough into a thick circle, place on a parchment lined baking sheet and cut into 8 wedges.  Bake for about 12-14 minutes. Cool slightly on a wire rack and glaze if desired.

For the Glaze

1&1/4 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons milk or cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a small bowl whisk all the ingredients together making a smooth glaze for the scones.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!