This has nothing to do with cakes, but I would like a good basic scone recipe. It is one of my favorite things to eat with tea - I thought since there are so many bakers here, someone might have a terrific recipe or secret . thanks

Here is the scone recipe I use:

2C all-purpose flour
3T sugar
1T baking powder
6T chilled butter
1 beaten egg
1/2 C half-and-half or light cream
1T half-and-half or light cream
2tsp sugar
dried fruit, nuts, zest etc.
1 tsp vanilla or other flavoring

Combine flour, 3 T sugar, baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt. Cut in butter. If desired, stir in nuts. Combine egg and 1/2 C half-and-half; add to dry mixture. Stir just until moistened.

Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead 12-15 strokes or till nearly smooth. Pat or lightly roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 to 3 inch cutter.

Place scones 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush tops with 1T half-and-half; sprinkle with 2 tsp. sugar. Bake ina 400 oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Remove from cookie sheet and cool on a wire wrack for 5 minutes. Makes 10-12 scones.

For variations you can soak some dried fruit in 2T brandy or other liquer and reduce half-and-half to 1/3 C. I have done this with dried blueberries or currents. I have also added 2T fresh lemon juice and lemon zest reducing to 1/3C cream.

Also- sugar in the raw tastes really good sprinkled on top instead of regular sugar.

Good luck!

oh, I like the soaking the dried fruit suggestion! and the raw sugar! Thanks! I look forward to trying this recipe!

I make several different kinds - I put fresh strawberries and peaches, cherries and pecans, dried cranberries and orange zest, chocolate chips, I also make one that I use a cinnamon sugar in - I make it a thick stripe of it on the final knead of the dough so when the scone cooks, it has an almost liquid spot of the cinnamon sugar. there are lots of different options (and I use about the same recipe that is posted above)

oooooh! that sounds good too!

yum! that cinnamon sugar idea sounds so good! I will have to try that!

This is my recipe for scones. Its a little sweeter than some, but sooo good. Whenever I make them, they disappear within the day!!

1 cup sour cream (fat free works as well as full fat does)
1 tsp baking soda

4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1 cup cold butter

1 egg

Heat oven to 350*f
Combine sour cream and baking soda in bowl, set aside.

In large bowl combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse oatmeal.

Mix together egg and sour cream mixture. Add into dry mixture and mix with spoon until combined. (I usually have to turn it out and briefly knead it together).

Divide into 2 or 3 (depending on desired size) equal pieces. Flatten each into 3/4" rounds and cut into 8 wedges each. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on bottom and tops spring back when lightly touched.

You can add in 1 cup of raisin or blueberries if you want. The blueberry ones will take slightly longer to bake and will create a flatter scone.