If you’re in America you’re probably well on your way to planning your Thanksgiving dinner for next week, but have you even considered what to feed your guests the morning of? The weekend after? Do you know what yummy treats are going to fuel your early morning Black Friday shopping? This morning you’re in luck, because today I’m sharing this seriously delicious recipe for cinnamon sugar scones! Let’s take a peek!

This past weekend, Brett and I took the big kids on a mini road trip to Winston-Salem. The North Carolina city is a little big town with historical roots and loads of offerings for families and foodies alike. I was invited to by the PR team at Visit Winston-Salem, and our time there included tons of food, Christmas cookies, and fun things for the kids to do. I’d be remiss if I didn’t give you the ins and outs of each and every place we visited, so I’ll be sure to list them all out below.

Although Brett and I are well-seasoned when it comes to traveling solo, we were uncertain of how a road trip to a new city would go with two toddlers in tow. Thankfully we found that the city welcomes families in a number of ways. We stayed at The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, and my kids would tell you it was one of the best parts of the trip. The hotel is located in the historic R.J. Reynolds building in the heart of downtown. While the rooms, lobby, and hotel restaurant are all outfitted with with an art deco meets Southern sophistication kind of vibe, the bottom floor of the building is a rec room straight out of a kid’s dream. A giant slide, bowling alleys, and a basketball court are anchors to the space that also features foosball tables, board games, and TVs. We spent the pre-dinner hours sipping cocktails while we watched the kids run like crazy people. Bedtime was a bonus too, as the bathroom in our room hosted one of the biggest tubs I’ve ever seen situated smack-dab in the middle of an even bigger shower. The kids splashed and swam, and Mom didn’t give another thought to the water because it was, after all, in the shower. Best idea ever.

Winston-Salem has a strong Moravian background, and the city now has a number of culinary trails that celebrate those roots. Traditional foods like the thin ginger cookies (voted as a favorite by Oprah!), the Moravian sugar cake, and the chicken pie were among the comforting favorites that I taste-tested while there. During the holidays, Old Salem offers candlelight tours, performing arts, and hands-on experiences that give a feel for what life would have been like when the Moravians settled back in the late 1700’s. The immersive activities included a pottery workshop, gardening, and cooking over an open fire, although my kids most enjoyed rolling and cutting out Moravian cookies. The town is quaint, and we really enjoyed getting a taste (both literally and figuratively!) of what life was like back then.

When we weren’t sleeping, we were eating our hearts out. Winston-Salem has a growing number of breweries and wineries as well as a host of bakeries and restaurants. I visited several bakeries for morning and afternoon pastries, and had a number of family-friendly meals that I’d recommend. You can check out my complete list of recommendations below, but first let me tell you about these cinnamon sugar scones.

During our trip we visited Camino Bakery and had a number of sweet and savory pastries. A favorite was a cinnamon sugar scone that had a tender crumb and was blanketed in a spicy glaze. Bits of caramelized cinnamon-sugar were edging each piece and I absolutely LOVED them. I’ve had this recipe for  stuffed cinnamon sugar scones on deck for a while, and our trip to North Carolina was the reminder I needed to share them.

The recipe for these cinnamon sugar scones is a mash-up variation of some of my other favorite scone recipes. The special part here is that the inside is “stuffed” with a swirl of cinnamon-sugar filling. Each bite is warmly scented and perfectly sweetened, and the glaze on top gives it an extra decadent bite that really makes this breakfast food feel like dessert. I love to make these pastries in advance and freeze them to warm at a later time which makes these the perfect make-ahead treat for holiday festivities that are on the horizon. Give them a try in the coming weeks and let me know what you think! Be sure to check out my list of what we enjoyed during our time in Winston-Salem, and many thanks to Visit Winston-Salem for hosting our family. Enjoy the cinnamon sugar scones!

Where We Ate:

The Katharine Basserie and Bar. Casual French fare in in a chic location. We adored the cozy booths and the creative cocktail menu.

Mary’s Gourmet Diner. The breakfast tamale (complete with shredded pork, pico de Gallo, black beans, and poached eggs!) was easily the best dish I tasted in Winston-Salem. Brett loved the grits bowls and my kids destroyed the turnovers.

Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookies. We enjoyed a mini tour of their space where bakers are hand-rolling and cutting Moravian cookies all year round. These little treats were named one of Oprah’s favorites. We bought several boxes to share as Christmas gifts this year.

Bobby Boy Bakeshop. Elevated pastries and strong coffee anchor the menu at this newcomer bakery with a cool vibe.

The Tavern in Old Salem. This restaurant was built in 1816 and offers a number of traditional Moravian dishes including the famous chicken pie!

Winkler Bakery. One of the oldest, continuously running bakeries in the U.S., and home to classic Moravian baked goods. Don’t forget to take home some baking mixes!

The Porch Kitchen and Cantina. Casual Tex-Mex in a family-friendly atmosphere. Don’t miss the Texas Pete Chicken Flautas!

Camino Bakery. Home to my second-favorite cinnamon scone (wink wink) and a ton of other breakfast faves.

Black Mountain Chocolate. Fair-trade chocolate desserts and coffee. Bring home some artisan chocolates or check out a behind-the-scenes tour!

What We’ll Try Next Time:

Canteen Market & Bistro

Milner’s American Southern

Social Southern Kitchen & Cocktails

Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company

Foothills Brewing

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