Recipe: Claire's Corner Copia Cheddar Scones

CHEDDAR SCONES

"Cheddar scones are delicious served at breakfast with apple butter; they make a wonderful lunch sandwich when filled with curried egg salad and a little mango chutney; and they are the perfect accompaniment to a salad with dinner. We shape our scones to the size of a tennis ball before baking-they come out huge, and our customers love them. My friend Phyllis and my brother Paul drive out of their way just for these scones."

1 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup grated cheddar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add the cheddar and stir to mix well. Add the butter and rub into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles coarse cornmeal.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk or sour milk about 30 seconds. Pour the liquid over the flour mixture all at once and stir with a spoon until just combined. The dough should be fairly stiff.

Drop 6 big spoonfuls of batter onto a cookie sheet that is nonstick or has been lined with parchment paper. Leave as much space as possible in between for spreading.

Centering the cookie sheet on the middle oven rack, bake about 30 minutes, until the scones are golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of each comes out clean.

Makes 6 large scones
Source: Claire's Corner Copia Cookbook by Claire Criscuolo