Basic Scones

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 400F (200C).
2. 2
   Butter and flour a baking sheet or line with baking parchment.
3. 3
   Mix flour, baking powder, soda, salt and sugar; sift into a medium bowl.
4. 4
   With a pastry blender or with fingertips, cut butter into dry ingredients until mixture is the consistency of fine crumbs.
5. 5
   Whisk buttermilk with eggs.
6. 6
   Pour in milk all at once and stir to mix.
7. 7
   As soon as mixture holds together, turn out onto a floured work surface and knead lightly.
8. 8
   Roll to a thickness of 1/2 to 3/4 inch; cut into 2 1/2 inch rounds with floured cutter.
9. 9
   Or halve dough and knead gently to form 2 balls.
10. 10
    Flatten each ball to a thickness of 1/2 to 1 inch.
11. 11
    With a sharp knife, cut each round into 8 triangles.
12. 12
    Arrange on prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown (20 to 30 minutes).
13. 13
    Serve hot with butter, preserves and cream, if desired.
14. 14
    ORANGE/LEMON SCONES: With buttermilk-egg mixture, add 1 tablespoon grated orange or lemon rind.
15. 15
    RAISIN SCONES: With buttermilk-egg mixture, add 1 cup dark or golden raisins, dried currants or a combination.
16. 16
    SPICE SCONES: To dry ingredients, add 1 teaspoon mixed spices (equal amounts of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice).