CHERRY SCONES
Also see article on Cherries
by Jennifer A. Wickes ©2002
Yields: 8 servings
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1 large egg -- beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1 large egg -- beaten
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) with rack in center of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray with a non-stick vegetable oil. To make the glaze, mix together the beaten egg with the cream. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender, two knives, or fingertips. This mixture should look like coarse crumbs. In a small measuring cup, combine the whipping cream, buttermilk, beaten egg, vanilla and almond extracts. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the liquid, stirring with a wooden spoon until the batter forms moist clumps. The batter will be sticky. Do not overmix. Carefully, add the dried cherries.
Gather dough together with your hands and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Gently knead for about 10 seconds until dough forms a ball and is smooth. Pat dough into a 7 inch (17.5 cm) circle that is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Using a sharp knife, cut circle into 8 triangular sections. With a pastry brush, brush off excess flour from scones, and place scones on prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of scones with the glaze and sprinkle lightly with sugar (if desired). Add a few sliced almonds on top.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until lightly browned, or a toothpick inserted in the middle of the scone comes out clean. Remove from oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
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