Twofootartist’s Random Ramblings

After enduring too many dry, flavorless scones from local bake shops and most cookbooks, and after much experimentation, I have finally found the perfect combination of ingredients to make scones that are not too cakey, not too flaky, and taste great. Be sure your baking powder is fresh and don’t omit or change any amounts or ingredients.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Whisk together in a large bowl:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground cane sugar (refined sugar will work if that’s all you have)

1-½ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt (don’t leave this out – it’s there for its chemistry, not its taste)

1 teaspoon of freshly scraped orange zest (one medium to large sized orange)

Dash of nutmeg

Cut in 2 tablespoons of cold unsalted butter with pastry cutter or a pair of knives

Stir in ¼ cup fresh whole cranberries, blueberries, or any dried fruit

Whisk together, then stir into dry mix:

1 large egg (preferably from Country Hen or your own backyard) and

enough heavy cream to bring the total egg and cream mix to three fluid ounces or more

Gently knead batter together

Spread into a circle about ¾ inch thick

Dust with cinnamon sugar

Cut into quarters

Place quarters at least ½ inch apart on heavy ungreased baking sheet or pan

Bake 13 minutes

Cool on rack while your coffee or tea brews, then eat warm

Will keep for a day wrapped tightly in Saran Wrap

Reheat by loosening wrap and microwave 15 seconds

(If you are concerned about adverse health effects from natural fats and cholesterol in butter, eggs, and heavy cream, please do some research on the latest medical studies. You will learn that, in otherwise healthy individuals, there is no direct correlation between fat and cholesterol in your blood and that which you eat. You will also learn that these natural fats satisfy your appetite so you eat less food overall; that they help your body metabolize cholesterol, calcium, and vitamin D; and that they may prevent or delay some cancers and eye diseases. And if you are concerned about weight issues, cut down the sugar in your diet. Sugar is highly addictive, whets your appetite, and leads to more illness and premature death than any other common substance in our diets.)

Postscript:

If you should neglect to cut in the butter until after you have added the fresh blueberries and the egg and cream mix, do not despair. Cut it in anyway. You can then skip the kneading step. Just flatten out the batter, cut it, and bake it. The scones will look awful but taste wonderful. Please don’t ask me how I know this.