scones for kirsten

Kirsten asked for a good scone recipe, and somehow i could not find the one i usually make. i went hunting (not too far!) and found that www.joyofbaking.com has a bunch of good recipes! i altered the recipe below a bit (i'll add the changes here) and found them to be light and delicious and sconey....! happy baking!

Berry Good Scones

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries (i used cherries)

Zest of one lemon or orange (about 1 T. zest)

2/3 cup buttermilk

Egg Wash: (i forgot this part, and sprinkled a bit of sugar on top of them)

1 large egg

1 tablespoon milk or cream

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place rack in center of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl place the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder and whisk to combine. Add the butter and using two knives or a pastry blender (the new/old kitchenmaid mixer set on low worked perfectly) cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add the rolled oats, dried cranberries and zest. Mix until combined. Stir in the buttermilk (adding more buttermilk if necessary) and mix just until the dough comes together. (dough will be sticky, but that is okay).

Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough four or five times and then pat, or roll, the dough into a circle that is 7 inches round and about 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut this circle into 8 triangular sections. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet. Make an egg wash of one beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon milk or cream and brush the tops of the scones with this mixture.

Bake for about 15 - 18 (mine took about 21) minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Makes 8 scones.