Buttermilk Scones

By Reneeb

A classic plain scone like this can play many roles. It can be a slightly sweet sidekick with soups or stews, a tasty base for fruit shortcakes or a toothsome snack with tea or coffee. It's also delightful split and spread with jam at a holiday brunch, and the perfect starting point for three tasty variations (see below).

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/2
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg

Preparation

Step 1

PreparationIn bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until in coarse crumbs with a few larger pieces. Whisk buttermilk with egg; using fork, stir into flour mixture just until dough forms.

Turn out onto lightly floured surface; knead gently 10 times. Pat out to 10- x 7-inch (25 x 18 cm) rectangle; trim edges to straighten. Cut into 6 squares; cut each diagonally in half.

Place, 1 inch (2.5 cm apart) on parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

Additional information :
Change It Up

Apricot Almond Scones
Sprinkle 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots over ingredients just before stirring together. Shape and bake as directed; let cool completely. Stir together 1 cup icing sugar, 2 tbsp milk, dash almond extract and up to 1 tsp water, if necessary, to make thin icing; drizzle over scones. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds.

Dried Fruit and Lemon Scones
Add 2 tsp grated lemon zest to dry ingredients. Sprinkle 1/2 cup dried currants, raisins, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, chopped dried cherries or chopped prunes over ingredients just before stirring together. Shape and bake as directed.

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones
Add 1 tbsp grated lemon zest and 4 tsp poppy seeds to dry ingredients. Shape and bake as directed; let cool completely. Stir together 1 cup icing sugar, 2 tbsp lemon juice and up to 1 tsp water, if necessary, to make thin icing; drizzle over scones.