APPLES! LOTS OF APPLES! APPLE SCONES.

When we bought our home five years ago we inherited a small apple orchard (plus a pear tree and fruiting crab apple trees).  I wish I knew what varieties of apples are here but it seems each tree is different.  In all events, the mix works well in baking.  With so many trees, and only Kevin and I to eat the apples, we don't treat them; instead we simply cut out the bad sections and use the rest.  I guess it sounds better to say that these are "organic" apples.

As you can imagine, at this time of year we eat apples every day - in one form or another - pork and apples, apple cakes and pies, and so on.  I love scones (homemade, fresh - not the kind in coffeeshops) so I went on-line to find a recipe for apple scones.  Finding no recipes that were highly rated, I decided to make up my own recipe.  Well, the scones turned out fabulously so I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

APPLE SCONES.  Makes 6.
In a small mixing bowl combine:
* 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
Whisk the dry ingredients, then add:
* 5 tablespoons butter (cut into pieces)
* 5 tablespoons sugar
Using a pastry tool (see photo below) mix all ingredients until the butter pieces are about the size of peas.  Make a small "well" in the center, then add:
* 3/4 cup chopped apples (small chop, to the size of raisins)
* 1/2 cup of milk
Stir all together, then use hands to mix and incorporate all of the dry ingredients.  Your warm hands will warm the butter and help add moisture to the dough.  Continue until all ingredients are mixed together into a single ball.  Remove the dough to a silpat-lined baking sheet, and pat it out to a round circle about 3/4" thick.  Sprinkle with Turbinado sugar.  Cut into six pie-shaped pieces and pull apart. 
     At this point heat your oven to 400º and let the scones rest while the oven preheats, about 10-15 minutes.  Then bake until lightly golden on top, about 15 minutes.

     This picture says it all, including telling you how many I had for breakfast.  I'm BAD!