Spring + sunshine + pretty flowers + yummy scones = happyhappyhappy
Okay. Check the ingredients list, and get whatever you need. You WILL want to make these. Hard, sweet glaze on the outside, soft and biscuit-y on the inside, scones make the perfect breakfast/snack food. They're also gratifyingly easy to make, especially after trying to make my own bread for the first time (more about that in an upcoming post.)
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Got your ingredients? Let's go!
I forgot to take process shots today, so you'll need to use your powers of imagination. Believe me, I'm proud of the fact that I even remembered to snap a photo before I stuffed it into my mouth.
Mix together your dry ingredients, add the butter, then use your hands to incorporate your butter. This photo was from the biscuit post, but the process is similar. You could use a pastry cutter or a fork to do this, but hands are just so much faster.
Add the wet ingredients (buttermilk and egg beaten together.) DON'T OVER-MIX. As I've said before, you will want to cry if you do.
Shape the dough into a 6-inch circle, and cut it into 8 wedges, like a pizza.
Bake, cool, and brush on the glaze. The glaze is powdered sugar and a little bit of water (you could use juice from an orange instead) and it is NOT optional. The glaze helps seal in moisture and keeps the scones tasting fresh and soft. Liberally apply it. You won't be sorry, trust me.
Click here for the printable recipe.
Cranberry-Orange Scones
Adapted from Martha Stewart
Yields: 8 scones
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, cold, cubed
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 egg
5 tablespoons buttermilk (you can substitute this for 5 tablespoons whole milk mixed with 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
For the Glaze:
¾ to 1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons water (approximately)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a baking sheet.
2. Mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
3. Add the butter. Use your hands (or a pastry cutter) to mix it into the flour. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs.
4. Add the cranberries and orange zest.
5. Beat together the egg and buttermilk. Add to the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. DO NOT OVER-MIX.
6. Shape the dough into a 6-inch circle. Cut it into 8 wedges, like you would a pizza.
7. Place on baking sheet and bake 12-14 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool.
8. Make the glaze. Mix water with the powdered sugar. The glaze should be smooth, but not too runny.
9. Brush the bottom and sides of the scones with glaze. Let dry. Then, glaze the tops.
Enjoy them as much as we did!
-Monica and Caroline