Basic Scones

The other night I wanted to bake something, and on a whim decided on scones. The last time I made scones they were delicious, but used a whole stick of butter and sour cream. This go around I was looking for something lighter and found the perfect (highly reviewed) recipe, courtesy of Alton Brown. Of course I had to make a few changes, anyways!

2 1/2 cups flour
4 tsps baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
4 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp vegetable shortening
3/4 cup skim milk
1 egg
filling of choice (dried fruit, nuts, etc.)

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in the butter and shortening using a pastry cutter or two knives. In a separate bowl, mix together the milk and egg, then add to dry ingredients until incorporated. Stir in a large handful of your choice of filling. I used Craisins with orange flavor, which gave a delicious citrus taste to the dough. I'd suggest adding zest in addition to your choice of dried fruit or nuts. You could also add cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced version.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Using floured hands, pat out into a circle about 1" thick. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife slice the dough into 6 or 8 equal sized wedges. Bake for about 15 minutes until the top is lightly browned. Remove and let cool a few minutes before separating the wedges.


Mmm these hit the spot! Not only did they smell delicious baking, but they were simple and fast to whip up! These scones are so fluffy, but still have the heartiness and hint of sweetness you look for in a "real" scone. I love that they used drastically less butter than other recipes, and were ok with just skim milk. The craisins with orange flavor were like little gems hidden in each bite, such a pop of flavor.