Who is Susan? We don’t know! This recipe comes from the Melting Pot II Cookbook, which was a kick-ass collection of recipes from the parents of one of the pre-schools in Santa Barbara. A friend of ours, Debbie Lipp provided this recipe from her friend Susan. Whoever Susan is, she makes a good scone!
1 1/2 c. flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. melted butter
1 egg, beaten
~1/2 c. buttermilk
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Beat egg in measuring cup and fill with buttermilk to make 2/3 cup. Stir in melted butter [should now be 1 c. of liquid]. Add liquids to dry ingredients and beat until just smooth [I have read that in Ireland this is done in a maximum of five strokes!]. Do not overmix. This is a very soft dough. Turn it out of the bowl onto a well-floured board. Flour your hands and pat the dough into a round. Cut it into six to eight wedges. Move the wedges onto a cookie sheet, spacing about 1/2 inch apart. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes. Serves 4-6.
If there are any left in the bread basket at the end of dinner, eat them with jam for dessert!
I find that this recipe works every time, is very fast to prepare, and impresses the hell out of anyone who eats the scones. I have used all kinds of different dairy products in place of the buttermilk: yogurt, sour cream, soured milk. I like to use sour cream, which I thin with a little water or milk. Buttermilk has the best results, and soured milk the worst (relatively), but all produce a delicious scone.
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In an attempt to verify and replicate previous findings, a new batch of scones was produced using the methodology of Magidow (2008). The test group (n=2) was asked to rate scones on “deliciousness”, “kick-assness” and amenability to honey as a topping. In all cases, a statistically significant number of raters found the scones to be amazing. A highly positive correlation was also found between scone consumption, wide smiles, and belt loosening.
Did you show this to the NSF grant review board? You’ll be a guaranteed winner!