Bed & Breakfast Scones

Ingredients

Basic Scones

• 2 cups flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar (or more)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter (room temp)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs

Optional Add Ins (up to a cup)

• 1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chip (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/3 cup dried currant (optional)
• 1 cup craisins (optional)
• 1 tablespoon orange peel, coarsely chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
• 1 tablespoon poppy seed (optional)

Flavoring of choice (discretion)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon banana extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon brandy

Topping of Choice (just one)

• 2 teaspoons brown sugar or white sugar or sugar crystals or candy sprinkles (holiday or seasonal)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400; set aside a lightly greased baking stone or cookie sheet.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients; cut in butter to resemble coarse crumbs; select one or more Optional Add-In from the list above (equalling about 1 cup total); make well in the center.

3. 3

   In a measuring cup, mix milk and eggs, pour into well in flour mixture EXCEPT -- reserve about 1 tablespoon of egg-milk; add flavoring of choice.

4. 4

   Stir flour-milk mixture with a fork, it will be slightly dry and rather stiff (add a bit extra milk if it appears "too" dry).

5. 5

   Dump dough onto a floured surface, incorporating any dry crumbs from the bottom of the bowl; knead several times but DO NOT OVERWORK the dough.

6. 6

   Divide into two balls; place one on either end of the baking stone or cookie sheet; pat into an 8-inch disk, about half-inch thick.

7. 7

   Using a pastry brush, spread the reserved egg-milk over the tops of both disks; sprinkle with Topping of Choice covering thoroughly.

8. 8

   With a pizza cutter or big knife, cut each cake into wedges (four large or six small), LEAVE IN PLACE.

9. 9

   Bake for 20-25 minutes (tops will be golden brown); separate wedges and check that dough is "dry" -- if not, pop back in oven & give it 2-3 more minutes; then serve immediately.

10. 10

    SERVE WITH: Recipe #186965 or Recipe #208437.

11. 11

    LEFTOVER SCONES: as if -- but okay IF you have leftovers, cut horizontally, spread with butter and toast lightly.

12. 12

    GREAT COMBINATIONS:.

13. 13

    chocolate chips with cranberries & brown sugar topping.

14. 14

    chocolate chips with orange zest & orange flavoring.

15. 15

    cranberries with walnuts.

16. 16

    cranberries with apricots.

17. 17

    apricots with nuts.

18. 18

    poppyseeds with lemon flavoring & zest.

19. 19

    cheese with nuts or chocolate chips.