Recipe: Apple Bacon Cheddar Scones (Butter Baked Goods Bakery)

APPLE BACON CHEDDAR SCONES
"This scone is like breakfast in the palm of your hand. The only thing missing is some scrambled eggs on the side. I guess that is what your other hand is for."



8 slices bacon
5 cups all-purpose flour
1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 1⁄2 cups butter, chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes
2 1⁄2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided use
1 3⁄4 cups buttermilk

FINISHING:
1 large egg
2 tablespoons cold water

YOU WILL NEED: 2 cookie sheets (1 lined with parchment paper), 3 1⁄2-inch circular cutter

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the bacon on the unlined cookie sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven, turn the bacon over and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven again and transfer the bacon to paper towel to cool. Pour the excess fat from the cookie sheet into a bowl and set aside (it should be about 2 tablespoons). When the bacon is cool, cut it into 1⁄2 -inch pieces; set aside.

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, quickly mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt on low speed to blend. Add the butter cubes and mix until large crumbs form. Add the apple, bacon and 1 1⁄2 cups of the cheddar cheese and mix to incorporate evenly.

Add the buttermilk to the reserved bacon fat, stirring to blend. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until almost combined.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll out to about 1-inch thick. Use the circular cutter to cut out 10 circles. Place them on the prepared cookie sheet about 1 1⁄2-inches apart.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 2 tablespoons cold water to make an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to gently coat the top of each scone with the wash. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. A wooden skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.

Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Makes 10 scones
Used by permission to Recipelink.com from Random House
Adapted from source: Butter Baked Goods: Nostalgic Recipes From a Little Neighborhood Bakery by Rosie Daykin, photographs by Janise Nicolay