CHERRY AND ORANGE SCONES

Cherry and Orange Scones image

Provided by cassie thornburg

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 16

SCONES
1/2 c dried sweet cherries (you can also use dried cranberries - trader joes has dried orange flavored cranberries which work well in this recipe but the cherries are my favorite)
2 c all purpose flour
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c butter, cold - cut into small pieces
1 zest of one orange
8 oz sour cream
1 egg yolk, beaten
1 egg white, slightly beaten
POWDERED SUGAR GLAZE
1 c powdered sugar
1 Tbsp orange juice, fresh
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pour boiling water over cherries to cover; let stand 5 minutes, drain well.
3. In a large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in drained cherries and orange zest. Make a well in the center.
4. Add butter to mixture and blend with fingers or pastry cutter until it resembles course crumbs.
5. Here's how it should look...
6. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and egg yolk. Add all at once to flour mixture. Using a fork, stir until combined (mixture will be dry).
7. Here's how it should look...
8. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Quickly knead dough by gently folding and pressing for 10 to 12 strokes, or until it comes together and is smooth. Pat into a 7 inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges.
9. Arrange wedges on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, about 1 inch apart. Brush with egg white. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
10. Outta the oven....
11. Drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze if desired.
12. Stir together 1 C powdered sugar, 1 TBL orange juice and 1/4 tsp vanilla. Stir in more orange juice if needed, 1 tsp at a time, til of drizzling consistency.