Butter Pecan Scones

Today, while the world celebrates the first anniversary of the royals, William and Cathryn, what I'm thinking about is this would have been the 74th Anniversary of my father and mother--William and Helen.

They married in 1938 after knowing each other since fifth grade--love at first sight!  My dad stole a kiss in the cloakroom and as the story goes, he knew he would marry this barely five foot beauty one day and raise a family.

I came up with a Butter Pecan Scone that would have pleased my mother very much; it was definitely one of her favorite flavors, next to chocolate and lemon.

My dad would have bought her a present that he'd placed in the center of the dining room table with an elegant card that he chose for the occasion.  He called her "Sug" (pronounced shug) and they shared a twinkle in their eyes on their special day.  It's what happily ever after is all about:-D

Butter Pecan Scones
1 cup chopped pecans
4 T butter

4 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 T + 1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. Kosher salt
3 T granulated sugar
1/2 cup + 2 T unsalted, cold butter
1 1/3 cups half & half
1 large egg
1 tsp. Butter Sweet Dough flavor (optional)

Preheat oven to 400F-degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a sauce pan on med/low heat, melt butter and add the pecans.  Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly until they are lightly toasted and the nuts have absorbed all the melted butter.  Set aside while you make up the dough.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, put all the dry ingredients in the bowl and mix to incorporated.  Cut the cold butter into 1/2-inch pieces and add to the dry ingredients.  Start mixing on low and once the butter becomes incorporated, raise speed to medium.  Add the flavoring (if using).

Whisk the egg into the half & half and while the mixer is running pour the liquid into the mixture, reserving about 3 tablespoons for brushing on top of the scones before baking.  The dough should just come together and not be too wet.

 Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board.  Knead slightly and roll to about 3/4-inch thick
Cut into rounds, squares or triangles...I chose rounds.

 Brush tops with reserved cream/egg mixture.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown on top.

I decided to make a brown butter glaze to enhance the flavor and make them extra special.


Browned Butter Glaze:
4 T unsalted butter, melt and continue to cook over medium heat until it foams and turns an amber brown.
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 T Light Karo Syrup
1-2 T very warm water

Mix all ingredients together and use an off-set spatula to spread on top.

The scones have a wonderful texture and the flavor, well, if you're a butter pecan fan, these are a home run.   Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad...and of course, that other couple;-D Enjoy!