I’m on a mission to try all the fitness classes at my neighborhood gym. I signed up years ago to have a place to work out when bad weather wouldn’t permit me to run or ride my bike. I’ve taken advantage of the swimming pool, the weight room and the cardio machines; I even had a personal trainer for a while but cycling has always been my main mode of exercise so I never followed the fitness plan that was mapped out for me. I’ve gone for many months at a time without paying a single visit because I prefer to burn calories outdoors, prompting me to consider if it’s worth my while to maintain my membership.
Having decided to give it another shot I picked up a copy of the facility’s calendar and discovered that there were quite a few classes I was interested in trying. I’ve done the spin classes (on those aforementioned rainy days) so I crossed those off the list for now. A few weeks ago I popped into an intermediate step class. While the cardio intensity was manageable, trying to learn the steps was near impossible! I’m fairly coordinated but at some point I had to just pause for a second and laugh because when everyone was doing the “across the top” I was still doing the jumping jacks from a few steps before. Needless to say I haven’t been back to that class; at least not until I take the time to learn the basic steps.
Then there was the time I attended my first Zumba class. I picked the first session on the calendar that worked with my schedule and actually drove to the gym excited (who has not observed the Zumba craze?). I arrived early expecting to see a big crowd but was disappointed to see only about 20 people; I also made another observation that prompted me to ask if I was in the right room. The workout commenced and it wasn’t long before I realized that this class was not for me. 1) the pace was much slower than I anticipated and 2) the instructor and the attendees were all in their golden years; energetic and fit but it was hard not to notice that they were all, on average, about 25-30 years older than I was. When I got home I looked more closely at my calendar and realized that the class I had just attended was intended for “the young at heart”. There was nothing at all wrong with the class but I needed to find one that was more my speed. So I crossed that one off the list, too.
Lately I’ve been enjoying the Zumba classes geared for a bit younger crowd. And it’s been so much fun. I have always loved to dance and the upbeat Latin music makes me forget that I’m actually exercising. The dance moves have been far easier to follow than the step moves and the half hour of muscle toning exercises after an hour of nonstop dancing have really been making a difference.
Fun, fun, fun. I have attended a couple of the Zumba sessions now, always excited for Thursday morning to roll around, but there are a few more classes that I need to check off the list: Pilates, Yoga, Cardio dance, VivAsia (another dance class with a focus on Asian dance moves), Boot Camp and Belly Dancing…yes, you read the last one right. I aim to try them all before deciding on a favorite. For now, Zumba it is–at least until spring arrives with warmer weather that will get me out on my bike again.
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I baked these scones after this week’s Zumba class, you know, as a post-workout reward. Really, you need no reason other than you’ll be so glad you did after tasting them. The scones have the perfect texture, not too dense and not too doughy. The bittersweet chocolate chips add just the right amount of sweetness but it’s the shredded coconut that takes them over the top. My scone-and-coconut-loathing husband said that these were the best he’s ever had. I’ll say that they’re one of the best I’ve ever had. Zumba or no Zumba, try them.
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This is my contribution to this month’s Chocolate Party. This month’s theme is coconut–check out the other delicious treats.
Chocolate-Coconut Scones
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold heavy cream I used half-n-half
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled, plus more for work surface
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt I used kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons 3/4 stick cold, unsalted butter, in small cubes
- 3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut I used a generous amount
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate I used Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips, as is
- Sanding sugar optional; I used turbinado sugar
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 3/4 cup cream and egg and set aside. In a larger bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse meal, with few small pieces of butter remaining. Stir in the coconut and chocolate. Stir in the cream mixture with a fork until just combined. Do not overwork the dough; it should be crumbly.
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Transfer the dough to a lightly-floured work surface and pat the dough into a 6-inch circle. Cut into 6 wedges (they'll be big scones) and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining 1 tablespoon cream and sprinkle with sanding (or turbinado) sugar. Bake for 16-18 minutes (or until golden), rotating the sheet halfway through baking time.
Recipe Notes
Recipe from Martha Stewart.
Love your Zumba class story and just love these chocolate coconut scones! I love to dance my way to exercise and see what you mean with wanting a fast pace! And these scones? Perfect for the after-workout snack. I must try this soon. Thanks for sharing, Jean!
The story of your first zumba class made me laugh….too funny! I love scones, these look just perfect. Wish I had one right now! 🙂
Hee hee! I can imagine you in the Young at Heart class, that is too cute! Glad you are having fun at the gym! I never did try the Zumba class – something about all the shiny waist belts that a lot of the women wore kind of scared me away, but it sounds like so much fun. My gym started offering Jillian Michael’s Bodyshred and I went in thinking, “easy peasy.” But wow, it left me humbled 🙂 If you ever see that on the schedule you should try it!
Anyway, here I am rambling…these scones would make me happy post workout for sure. I always joke that I work out to eat. And with the coconut you know Big C would love it too 🙂
I love your contribution to the chocolate party.I love your recipe for scones. I cant do zumba even if I was younger. I really have no rhythm. It is embarassingly so.
Great looking scones and I am in awe of your dedication to finding the perfect exercise class. Waking up keen to go might mean you have already found it.
I miss being part of a gym. I prefer to run or hike outdoors any day of the week, but I do miss the classes. It was nice to be part of a group, and they were kind of fun! I hope you find some you enjoy!
Love the scones, great use of chocolate and coconut together!
Good for you for trying new activities and breaking out of any comfort zones that you may have built. That’s a really great way to usher in the New Year. Oh, and you brought in the New Year with scones! Definitely a smart balance to all of that working out.
loving these scones who can resist chocolate and coconut in a scone, it sounds fabulous!
I only go to pilates, haven´t taken an `energetic´ class in ages. I´d love to come back to these scones! There can never ever be too many good scone recipes in my files. Gorgeous!
Zumba or no Zumba I would love one of these scones- I’m with you on lacking interest on the indoor exercise but it sounds like you’ve had a big change of heart with all the exercise classes you’re trying!- I’m impressed but I think I’ll bundle up and hit the streets today;-)
Looks incredible! My fave combo ever is coconut with choco!
Your Zumba story made me smile because I went through the same process of trying and eliminating gym classes just to mix up my workout routine, and finally settled with power yoga. It took a while but, after a few weeks of aches and pain I love it. I stumbled upon your blog and love your recipes and photos 🙂
Good for you that you are doing Zumba and you are young! Smile. I need to get back on the treadmill on a regular basis. Your scones look like they came out of a professional bakery – seriously! I need to make these over the weekend. DIVINE!
Chocolate and coconut make a lovely couple- these scones look scrumptiously happy and fluffy!
I’m not into cardio workouts- I went through an unhealthy workout-obsessed (food-fearing) phase a few years ago. But I adore Pilates and yoga! I can’t recommend Pilates enough to people- it might not get your heart-rate up, but it makes your body feel so limber and elongated…which is fabulous if you’re petite! Plus it really tones up your core and makes you stand straight without having to think about it. 🙂
lol – I’m too lazy to get my butt moving to an exercise class or the gym, but I’m definitely motivated to make these gorgeous scones! Waistline be damned!
Your story is so funny. I can totally relate. I actually took a couple of Belly dance classes but had to give up, just couldn’t do the right moves, the same goes for zumba.
Now I plan on taking Jazzercise, let’s see how that goes.
The scones sound like a great reward after your workout and the photos are stunning as usual. Thanks for bringing them to this month chocolate party
Made these for a committee meeting at work. They were awesome and so easy to make! I used 58% cacao dark chocolate and added a little bit of coconut extract to the dough. My co-workers loved them! Two thumbs up!
Kelly, thanks so much for trying the scones and so glad you and your co-worked liked them, yay! 🙂