Tea Party Shortbread Scones

Yesterday, I had some rare alone time. I had a day off of work, no binding commitments until later in the day, it was dark and rainy, so I decided to treat myself to a comfort food snack. 

After my morning coffee, I switch to tea for the rest of the day . . . hmmmm . . . now what kind of treat would go well with a few mugs of my Wellness Herbal Tea blend, a dreary day and something to read?

SCONES! And not only scones, but SHORTBREAD SCONES!

I enjoyed own private little tea party with my scones topped with butter and Elderberry jelly on my dear grandma's plate. Ahhhh . . . 

Now, there are two ways that I go about my scones. One is that quick way with a yummy tastes-like-homemade Fair Scone and Shortcake Mix by Fisher

The other way is to make them, of course.

You Will Need:

~2-1/2 c. flour, plus a little extra for kneading (I use unbleached bread flour)
~1/2 ts. sea salt
~1 ts. baking powder
~1/3 c. Turbinado sugar (Sugar-in-the-Raw) or coconut sugar (for a lower glycemic level)
~1 egg
~1/2 c. whole milk
~1 TB. vanilla extract
~3/4 c. cold butter, sliced (for my daughter who can't have butter, I use Earth Balance non-hydrogenated margarine. If you HAVE to have margarine, this is the one to get)
~medium mixing bowl
~small mixing bowl
~baking sheet
~parchment paper *optional*
~large mixing spoon
~whisk

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 425*F, line baking sheet with paper, if desired
2) Mix together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar
3) Cut in pieces of butter into the dry mix until it is well mixed, dry and crumbly
4) In the smaller bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla
5) Add wet mix to dry mix and stir together until moist and crumbly
6) On a clean surface, sprinkle about 2 TB. of flour and knead your dough. Fold and knead, fold and knead 4 or 5 times
7) Divide into 2 halves, pat them out onto the baking sheet roughly 5" round and just a little higher in the middle, cut into 4 quarters; do the same with the other half. If you like, sprinkle a little bit of sugar on top
8) Bake 12-14 minutes, until lightly browned
9) Let cool on baking rack
10) Serve with butter, jam or jelly and if you want the real English Tea Party experience, use clotted cream.

Be sure to make a delicious Earl Grey, Oolong or herbal tea to enjoy with your scones. 

Let me know how your next private tea party goes.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><