FRESH APPLE CINNAMON SCONES

Ingredients:

SCONES

2 3/4 Cs Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1/3 C granulated sugar

3/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp.  Apple Pie Spice or ground cinnamon

1/2 cup (8 Tbsps.) cold butter

3/4 cup diced fresh apple, in 1/2" pieces (about half a medium apple); leave the skin on, if you like

3/4 C cinnamon chips

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 C applesauce, unsweetened preferred

TOPPING

3 Tbsps. coarse white sparkling sugar

1/2 tsp.ground cinnamon

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and spice.

Work in the butter just until the mixture is unevenly crumbly; it's OK for some larger chunks of butter to remain unincorporated.

Stir in the chopped apple and cinnamon chips.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, and applesauce.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until all is moistened and holds together.

Line a baking sheet with parchment; if you don't have parchment, just use it without greasing it. Sprinkle a bit of flour atop the parchment or pan.

Scrape the dough onto the floured parchment or pan, and divide it in half. Gently pat and round each half into a 5" to 5 1/2" circle about 3/4" thick.

To make the topping: Stir together the coarse sugar and cinnamon. Brush each circle with milk, and sprinkle with the topping.

Using a knife or bench knife that you've run under cold water, slice each circle into 6 wedges.

Carefully pull the wedges away from the center to separate them just a bit; there should be about 1/2" space between them, at their outer edges.

For best texture and highest rise, place the pan of scones in the freezer for 30 minutes, uncovered. While the scones are chilling, preheat the oven to 425°F.

Bake the scones for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they're golden brown. When you pull one away from the others, it should look baked all the way through; the edge shouldn't look wet or unbaked.

Remove the scones from the oven, and cool briefly on the pan. Serve warm. When they're completely cool, wrap in plastic and store at room temperature for up to several days.

Yield: 12 scones.~~~Al (Alex-Alexander) D. Girvan