Bed & Breakfast Scones

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 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
• 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)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon banana extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon brandy
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar (holiday or seasonal) or 2 teaspoons sugar (holiday or seasonal) or 2 teaspoons sugar crystals (holiday or seasonal) or 2 teaspoons candy sprinkles (holiday or seasonal)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 400; set aside a lightly greased baking stone or cookie sheet.
• 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 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 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 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 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 using a pastry brush, spread the reserved egg-milk over the tops of both disks; sprinkle with topping of choice covering thoroughly.
• 8 with a pizza cutter or big knife, cut each cake into wedges (four large or six small), leave in place.
• 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 serve with: zesty candied bacon or low stress baked eggs.
• 11 leftover scones: as if -- but okay if you have leftovers, cut horizontally, spread with butter and toast lightly.
• 12 great combinations:.
• 13 chocolate chips with cranberries & brown sugar topping.
• 14 chocolate chips with orange zest & orange flavoring.
• 15 cranberries with walnuts.
• 16 cranberries with apricots.
• 17 apricots with nuts.
• 18 poppyseeds with lemon flavoring & zest.
• 19 cheese with nuts or chocolate chips.