This is my favorite recipe for scones. It is from Baking with Julie Child's cook book- my favorite baking reference.
Get creative and make cinnamon or blueberry scones from this recipe.
See how...
Buttermilk Scones
Makes 12 triangular scones
Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
1 ½ sticks (6 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon grated lemon or orange zest
½ stick butter, melted for brushing
¼ cup sugar for dusting
Instructions:
Put the flour, baking powder, soda, sugar and salt into a large bowl and stir to just mix. Add the butter and cut it into the flour making little crumbs, a few larger pieces are okay. Add the buttermilk and zest. Stir with a fork to moisten the flour. The dough will be sticky.
Flour a work surface and your hands. Scoop the dough out of the bowl and drop it onto the work surface. Knead the dough about 3-4 times and pat the dough into a 9 inch circle or square about 1 inch thick. Cut the scones out according to the size you want. If you want thicker scones roll out a small circle.
Brush with the butter and sprinkle with sugar.
Transfer the scones to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until they are golden on top. Do not overcook, they will be too dry.
Get creative:
Add 1/3 cup fresh or dried fruit after you add the milk. Blueberries are one of my favorites.
Or add cinnamon to the dusting sugar and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the dry ingredients.