Cranberry Scones

  When I started to write this post, I stopped to look at what a scone really is. We here on the South Shore of Nova Scotia have a varied and intermixed history with the French, British, Scottish, German and Aboriginal backgrounds that we share and are a mixture of. When I first had a scone, I thought this is just a fancy Tea Biscuit. It is similar to a Tea Biscuit and I guess similar to Bannock from the Scottish Background. Once I looked it up on-line I was satisfied that what we make is in actuality a scone.

  We love the Cranberry Scones and find them fairly quick to make if you are in a hurry and they are soooooo good hot from the oven slathered with butter.

Ingredients

3/4 cup Craisins(dried cranberries)
1/4 cup boiling water
1 3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup yellow corn meal
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp chilled butter
2 Tbsp shortening
1/3 cup plain Low Fat yogourt
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla

1 large egg white
2 tsp sugar

Directions
  Combine craisins and boiling water in a bowl and cover, let stand 10 min or until softened. Drain and set aside.
  Preheat oven to 400F
  Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cup, level with a knife.
  Add flour, sugar, corn meal, baking powder and salt in a large bowl
  Cut in butter and shortening until it resembles coarse meal.
  Combine craisins, yogourt, milk and vanilla.
  Add wet ingredients to dry mixture, mixing just until moistened
  Turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead lightly 4 times. DO NOT OVER HANDLE THE DOUGH OR THEY WILL NOT RISE UP AND BE FLAKY
  Pat dough into a 4"x8" rectangle and cut into 2"x2" squares (8 scones)
  Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
  Brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sugar
  Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes

The scones can be eaten hot from the oven lathered in butter, my favourite way.  They also make a great treat to pack and take on a picnic if you are travelling.

We often have sliced cheese and fruit on the side to have a balanced meal. However you have them they are delicious and fairly quick. When we are running on a hectic schedule we find that these can be whipped up in nearly the same amount of time as a fast food meal can take at rush hour. And it is real food.

We hope you enjoy the recipe.