Step 1

Place the cherries in a small bowl and cover with boil water. Set aside while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper (you'll need 2 sheet pans for smaller scones). Set an oven rack on the middle level of the oven.

Step 3

Measure 1 cup heavy cream and place it in the freezer for 10 minutes. Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a paper towel and heat on high for 1 minute. If not completely melted, return to the microwave for 10-second intervals till melted. Set aside to cool a bit while prepping other ingredients.

Step 4

Whisk flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium-size bowl. Stir to combine and then add the chocolate chips and stir again. Set aside.

Step 5

Drain the cherries well then turn out onto several thicknesses of paper toweling. Wrap the cherries in the paper towels tightly to remove any excess moisture. Transfer the cherries to a cutting board and roughly chop them with a sharp knife.

Step 6

Transfer the cherries to the bowl with the flour mixture and stir well.

Step 7

After heavy cream has been chilled in the freezer for 10 minutes, combine it with the melted butter. Stir with a fork until butter forms small clumps or globules (see the picture above in the post).

Step 8

Add the cream mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until all flour is incorporated. The batter will be very thick, like cookie dough. Don’t over mix it, but you do make sure all the little flour bits are incorporated.

Step 9

Spray a cookie scooper (see Café Tips above) or large spoon with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop up scones in mounds onto the prepared pan. Space the scones at least 2-inches apart to allow for some spreading.

Step 10

Refrigerate scones for at least 15 minutes (longer is fine).

Step 11

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until light golden brown. Transfer to a wire cooling rack.

Step 12

While the scones are baking, make the vanilla almond glaze. Combine the powdered sugar, milk (or half and half) and extracts in a medium-size bowl. Whisk well until smooth to make a thick, but spoonable glaze. (If the glaze is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar, if too thick add a little more milk or half and half.) Place a sheet pan or piece of foil under the cooling rack and spoon the glaze over the warm scones as soon as they come out of the oven, You can either come the scones completely or just drizzle the icing over the scones. Any excess icing will drip onto the sheet pan or foil. If you can wait, let the glaze set before serving.

Step 13

Store in an airtight container or freeze for longer storage.