Cheese Scones

I found this recipe through Kraft's site. These are delectable - I can't even explain how much I adore a good cheese scone.  I will never look for another one now that I tried this one.

It's a good recipe for halving, as I can make 4 large scones with a half-recipe.

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/3 cup cold butter/margarine, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup shredded cheese (I usually add a few small chunks of cheese too to get some nice cheese pockets in the scones)
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk

Mix the first four ingredients well, then cut in the butter. Fork in the cheese and make a well in the middle.  Whisk together milk and eggs and add to the centre of the well, then mix gently and briefly with a fork until somewhat together. Knead gently with hands just to make dough gather together. Divide into flattened circular shapes messily or go to the hassle of rolling 1/2 inch thick and cutting out circular shapes with a biscuit cutter.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes.  My larger biscuits (8 to a batch) take 17 minutes.  They are a little slice of heaven, and are a perfect accompaniment for soup on a colder day. 

Scones

I don't know where I originally obtained this recipe but here is my version.  These are great because you can add whatever "feature" ingredient you like.

The key to flaky layers is cold butter, sliced in in flaky pieces. However if you're lazy and have a food processor, that is an easy way to cut the butter in.

Dry:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/3 cup sugar (I often use slightly less)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup margarine (or slightly less than 1/2 cup if using butter)
• 1/2 cup frozen fruit (tart fruit is best... if using sweet fruit like blueberries you may want to add a touch of lemon zest or lemon juice)

Wet:

• 1/2 cup milk (or buttermilk)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients up to the margarine, then cut that in or pulse a few times in the food processor. Mix the fruit into the dry mix with a spatula.

Mix the milk, egg, and vanilla in a bowl with a fork.  Add your dry mix and stir briefly until dry and wet mixes are crumbly. Don't over-mix. Pull together dough with your hands until it looks like this:

Grease a cookie sheet (or line with parchment paper) and form your scones. Either flatten one large circle and but into eighths, or divide your dough into about 8 pieces. Shape into triangular forms (if you're feeling fancy) or just scoop some dough with a small measuring cup and drop it onto the sheet for a rough shape. Sprinkle a pinch of raw sugar on the top of each scone if desired. Bake for 15-17 minutes. 

Voila!  Warm and yummy. Serve with butter or eat them plain.