Oat Scones

Photo: flickr user norwichnuts

Ingredients

cup whole-wheat flour

2 cups all-purpose flour

cup granulated sugar

teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

teaspoon baking powder

cup oats

1 cup dried sour cherries Rough Chopped

300 grams (10 oz) chilled butter Cut In ½" Pieces

cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 tablespoon sanding sugar

Preparation

This recipe uses whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and rolled oats for a hearty texture. Brush the top of each scone with heavy cream and sprinkle with sanding sugar for a crisp, glimmering finish. Serve scones fresh from the oven with butter, jam, or that British favorite, clotted cream.

Freezing the dough for at least two hours before baking keeps scones from spreading too much. The dough will keep in the freezer for up to three weeks, so keep some on hand for the overnight guests you might have this holiday season.

Line an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine all dry ingredients, except sanding sugar, with the cherries in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add butter, and mix on medium-low speed until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk, and mix until combined.

Turn out the mixture onto a clean work surface. With hands, quickly pat mixture into a 16-by-3 1/2-inch rectangle that is 1 1/2-inches high. Score rectangle into ten triangles. Cover with plastic wrap, and transfer to the freezer for at least 2 hours.

Heat oven to 350F. Remove dough from the freezer, and cut into triangles with a sharp knife. Place scones two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Brush scones with heavy cream, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until lightly golden, about 30 minutes.