Friday, March 6, 2015

Dried Cherry Scones with Almond Glaze & March's Give-Away-Apron


Good thing I like roller coasters; Wednesday, our weather was sunny and 75-degrees and on Thursday, the temperatures dropped to 47-degrees and then, below freezing at night time...and rainy! So Thursday was a good baking day, although, by afternoon, I was feeling the dreariness and a nap felt better than sitting at the computer to post the recipe and apron:-D

As I promised, this apron will definitely bring a little cheeriness to everyone amidst the snow and/or freezing temperatures...and I do believe that Spring will not skip its turn.
Make a comment on any of my posts this month and you could win this darling apron of tiny cherries with a splash of the green to honor St. Patrick's Day as well; I am Irish, after all.

Dried Cherry Scones
2 1/2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour (plain flour)
2 T firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 T baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces or grated
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup half & half
1 large egg (an addition large egg + 1 tsp. water will be used to brush on the top of the scones.)
1/2 cup dried cherries, softened in hot water, then, drained and chopped
Glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)
1/8 tsp. almond flavoring
1 T light Karo syrup
2-3 T very warm water

Preheat oven to 400F-degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place cherries in a small bowl and cover with hot water.  Allow to soak about 25 to 30 minutes.  Drain and coarsely chopped.

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, mix all the dry ingredients together. Add the butter, one piece at a time or the grated butter all at once and mix again.  Add the chopped dried cherries.

In a 2-cup glass measure, add the half & half and large egg, lightly whisk together, then add the 1/2 cup of honey and whisk again.  Add the liquid measure to the dry while the mixer is on low.  Mix only until the dough comes together.
Place dough on a lightly floured board and knead slightly.  Pat dough into a circle, approximately 7" by 1" thick.  Today, I merely cut the scones into "pie wedges," but you can use your favorite cutter.

Place the scones on the parchment lined baking sheet and brush the tops with 1 large egg + 1 tsp. water.
Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 17 minutes.  I actually lowered the oven temperature to 375F-degrees after 10 minutes.  The scones should be a lovely golden brown.
Allow to cool about 10 minutes, then glaze with the Almond Glaze.  Serve while still warm, but for extras--cool completely, then, wrapped in wax paper and place in a freezer plastic bag.  To reheat, microwave for 20 seconds; they're perfect!
The roller coaster continues with temperatures in the 60s for the weekend.  I'm waiting to get outside and work in the garden...how about you? Enjoy!
 

17 comments:

  1. Another beautiful apron! And the scones look really good! As for getting out into the garden---it won't be any time soon! Another 8 inches of snow on top of what was left from last week!

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    1. Sorry Sis...at least you have lots of inside projects to do:-D

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  2. Can't wait to try the recipe! Wish I had one of them right now. Lovely apron & it should brighten anyone's day.

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  3. Those scones look so beautifully golden brown and wonderfully delicious with the glaze.
    Have a lovely weekend, Susan!
    Angie

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  4. Your scones are making my mouth water, Susan. Love the almond glaze!
    The apron is gorgeous! xoxo ♥

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  5. I would love to try one of your scones. I do love cherries. Such a cute apron this month. The weather has been crazy! I'm ready for real Spring.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  6. Susan....these look so incredibly delicious! I plan on making these next week! Thank you so much for all of your recipes...and for sharing your talents at designing aprons! Too darling!

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  7. Oh Susan, I do like scones! this one sounds really good. that apron is so cute with all those tiny cherries.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  8. Amazing! You make the BEST scones, Susan!! I love cherries, so this recipe is going on the spring scone making bucket list. Happy Spring, my friend. lv, me

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  9. I will have to give those a try. They look wonderful.

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  10. Hmmmm...love scones and those look good. I love that fabric and made an apron of my own with it years ago now. It is nowhere near as lovely as this one!

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  11. I'm looking forward to trying your recipe - I so love cherries! In my previous home I had cherry themed valances on the windows, and still have my cherry themed spoon rest & bowl along with a sweet little kitty figurine named Cherried Jublilee!
    A favorite treat is phyllo, brie & cherry jam - yum!!!

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    1. They remind me of spending time on my mother's best friend's farm, picking cherries in the early summer. My mother baked pied, but she would have loved to have dried ones to bake with too.

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  12. The scones look and sound wonderful...hope to try them soon! The apron is so cheerful looking!!!!! How fun it would be to wear the apron while making the scones! :)
    SusLee in NC

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  13. I do love scones and these look amazing!

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  14. Scones are one of my favorite foods and dried cherries are the next! The apron is lovely.

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  15. Love your aprons. I was so blessed to receive your February apron.

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