Camille's bachelorett party scones


these scones are so good and don't take long to make. we had them made with milk and apple juice saturday morning the weekend of camille's bachelorett party.

3 c. flour
1/2 c. plus 2 TBS sugar (equal parts honey and sugar works well, mix honey in milk and add that way)
1 stick plus 2 TBS butter (don't skimp this!)
2 TBS plus 2 tsp baking powder
1 1/3 c. milk (cream or half/half) or for lighter scones 1 c. milk and 1/3 c. apple juice
1/4 c. apple juice
6 oz. dried cherries
2 tsp. vanilla

heat oven to 375. in a small sauce pan over med heat reconstitute cherries in 1/4 c. apple juice. bring to a boil then simmer for about 10 min (or until you get to the part where you add the cherries to the dough). amaretto liqueur works well in place of apple juice.

mix flour, sugar, baking powder together. one tablespoon at a time, cut in butter. using your hands thoroughly break butter into small pieces, mixing with four mixture until it has the consistency of corn meal and holds together when squeezed in the palm of you hand. add vanilla. add the milk or milk and 1/3 c. apple juice in small batches until all liquid is absorbed by the four mixture and the dough begins to hold together ( i do this with my hands) and is slightly firm. mix in the reconstituted cherries and any liquid left in pan until cherries appear to be evenly distributed. turn the dough out onto a floured surface. the key at this point is to not over work your dough. shape the dough into a circle about 1/3-1/2 inch thick. using a nice sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut into slices like a pizza. i usually cut 8 slices. transfer slices to a baking sheet and bake about 8-12 min, checking at eight to make sure bottoms aren't burning. serve warm with butter and coffee or tea.

you can get really creative and add nuts, chocolate chips, candied ginger, fresh berries, other dried fruit, or other spices, in place of the cherries. i like candied ginger and cinnamon or fresh blueberries. harry's favorite is chocolate chips and pecans. for those with super sweet teeth; make a glaze out of 1/4 c. powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract and 3TBS milk, drizzle over scones while they are sill warm.