Maine Mapmaker's Kitchen Apple Spice Scones and a Giveaway

For those of you unaware, I work part time at a small, independent bookstore, here in my small Maine town.
It's always been a dream of mine to work in a bookstore. so when this opportunity came up, I was thrilled.
It's the perfect job for me.
Talk about books. Recommend books. Look at new books.
Visit with customers, about half of whom I know. Many others become friends. Read books, when there are no customers.

And sometimes I get to meet the authors too.
For a small town, we actually have a number of authors who live here or nearby.
There's Lily King, whose most recent book, Father of the Rain, is a bestseller.
We also have Melissa Senate, who has a new book out called The Love Goddess' Cooking School. An irresistible title if there ever was one.
Debra Spark, author of Good for the Jews, lives in the next town over and comes in occasionally.
And Ken Nye is a local poet, who reflects lovingly on dogs, Maine and family.

Last week Jane Crosen stopped in. She's a mapmaker and cookbook author.
Jane draws detailed maps of Maine places by hand. If you have ever tried to draw a map by hand then you know how difficult this can be. Her maps are elegant in their simplicity and clarity.
One of them hangs over my daughter's bed in her college room, in landlocked Colorado.

Maine Mapmaker's Kitchen is her cookbook and it's an eclectic collection of creative and healthy recipes. There are lots of notes about growing food, variations on recipes and practical advice.
 When she stopped in at the store, I blurted out, "My readers would love this! Can you donate one for me to giveaway?"
I don't think I even gave her a chance to think about it. She put her signature inside and handed the book to me. Thanks Jane!

Soooo, if you'd like to have this book for your very own, leave me a comment on this post.
Have you been to Maine? Where? If not, where would you most like to visit? And of course, what would you eat?

How about apple spice scones?

The recipe comes from Maine Mapmaker's Kitchen. As scones go, these are relatively healthful, with not too much butter, lots of whole grains and chunks of apple. The texture is nice and light.  I added an apple cider glaze because I'm that kind of girl. (The kind who likes sweets.)
Note: Instead of the individual spices listed here, I used about 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice. I am also the kind of girl who is a little lazy.

Apple & Spice Scones


2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup oat flour

1/4 cup whole oats or toasted wheat germ

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/4 tsps. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

3 Tbsps. chilled butter, cut into small pieces

3 Tbsps. canola oil

1 cup small-diced apple

1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)

1/3 cup milk + 1 Tbsp. yogurt (plain or vanilla)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 large egg

1/3 cup sanding, or coarse, sugar (optional)

Combine dry ingredients (flour through spices) in a large mixing bowl. Rub butter into mixture using your fingers, until you get the texture of coarse crumbs. Add canola oil and work in evenly, then add chopped apples and nuts (if using).

Preheat oven to 375. Grease 2 cookie sheets, or line with silicone baking liners (Silpat).
Measure milk and yogurt into measuring cup, add vanilla and egg, then whisk until well-blended. Pour into dry ingredients and stir briefly, just until flours are moistened.

Form balls of dough, one at a time, and press the tops into sugar (if desired). Place on baking sheet and flatten top slightly. Bake 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and place on cooling racks. When cool, you can top them with the cider glaze if you want.

Mix 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar with 2 Tbsps. apple cider. Mix until smooth.
A little cinnamon sugar wouldn't hurt either.