Buttery Scone Ring

Directions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 400 deg F/200 deg Celsius.
2. 2
   Whip together the oil and egg.
3. 3
   Add the buttermilk or yoghurt. Beat well.
4. 4
   Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together.
5. 5
   Mix in the liquid mixture until a soft dough forms. Work lightly and quickly: scones do not like heavy hands.
6. 6
   On a floured board, pat the dough flat until about 1 1/2 inch thick.
7. 7
   Press out circles with a cookie cutter.
8. 8
   Pack these rounds, with edges overlapping a tiny bit, around the rim of a greased pie plate or other shallow round oven dish.
9. 9
   There should be about 8 - 10 scones, and they fit into most regular-sized pie dishes.
10. 10
    Mix together the ingredients for the topping, making sure the butter is hot -- not boiling!
11. 11
    Spread the topping carefully over the raw scone ring with a wooden spoon, a knife or a spatula.
12. 12
    Sprinkle over a little extra cayenne (or paprika powder) over for colour.
13. 13
    Bake in the preheated oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until puffy and golden.
14. 14
    Serve hot or warm, and extra butter is unnecessary.