How to Make the Perfect Scone

Have you ever tried the scones at Starbuck's or Peet's? In theory, they sound great. In reality, they taste like what my kids used to call " bird food." They are dry, hard, and crumbly. Of course, one does need a large cup of coffee to choke them down.... I was determined to find a recipe for a scone that was tasty and moist. Well, here it is! Simple to make and delightful with butter and jam!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 Cups unbleached flour
• 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 Cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
• 2/3 Cup buttermilk
• TOPPING:
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 T. milk

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Stack 2 baking sheets together and line the top sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl. Cut cold butter into small pieces and blend it into the flour mixture using a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
3. Add buttermilk and stir until the dough comes together. Do NOT overmix! Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead dough 4-5 times. Then roll into a 7" round circle that is about 1 1/2" thick. Cut into 6 pie-shaped pieces. Places pieces on the baking sheet.
4. Beat the egg with 1 T. milk. Brush the tops of each scone with the egg mixture. Put scones in preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on rack. Optional: Turn broiler on high. Sprinkle scones with powdered sugar. Return to oven and broil til melted and brown.

Tips & Warnings

• I prefer the scones without the powdered sugar on top
• Once you've mastered the plain scones, you can add anything you want to liven them up: raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, nuts, blueberries, lemon or orange zest, cinnamon, etc.
• For the health conscious: Use 1/2 whole wheat flour, add oat bran, almond meal, wheat bran, flax meal, wheat germ, etc. in place of some of the flour. Substitute "Smart Balance" for the butter.