Raisin Scones

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • l/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup raisins or other dry fruit
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Approximately 1/2 cup buttermilk

Glaze

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon lukewarm water

 

Having Tea

Makes 8
 
 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Then add the raisins, beaten egg, and enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Knead very lightly on a floured board to just combine ingredients, handling gently to retain air needed for scones to rise. Roll out to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut the dough into 8 thick wedges with a sharp knife. 

Place the scones on a greased baking sheets, leaving a 1/2-inch space around each one. To glaze, combine the egg yolk and water in a bowl and brush onto each scone; be careful not to drip any of the glaze onto the pan or the scones will stick. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.