Recipe, As Requested

[ladysprite]

I don't usually post recipes and the like here, but since I've had a couple of requests for this one, I thought I'd share it. In exchange, if you feel inspired to share your own favorite apple recipe, I'll be more than happy to give it a try - I've got a half-bushel of Cortlands and Jonagolds just crying out to be turned into tasty baked goods....


Apple Cheddar Scones

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (see note)
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup cold butter or margarine
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup diced peeled apples

In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Gently fold in cheese and apples. Turn onto a floured surface, knead 10 times.
Pat into a 9-inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges. Separate wedges and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

(Cook's note - this is the recipe as it was originally written. Making them, I found that the dough was hideously wet and goopy and unhandleable. I added flour until it was thick enough to manipulate, probably an additional 1/2 cup or so, until I could knead the dough without it just running and sticking to everything. The scones came out tasting just fine with the extra flour, and they weren't too tough or dry.)

Comments

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

Just out of curiosity, how does one "cut" cold butter into the dry ingredients? I've seen that instruction in several recipes today. I think I know what it is referring to but I'm not positive.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

The way I usually cut butter into dry ingredients is by starting with cold butter, and using a butter knife to cut the recommended amount into smallish chunks (about 1/4 to 1/2 tbsp per chunk), then add that to the dry ingredients.

Then I use a pastry cutter to kind of chop the butter and dry ingredients together until the bits of butter are cut up tiny and mixed well all through the dry ingredients, and the mixture is about the consistency of wet sand, maybe a little bit coarser. If you don't have a pastry cutter, you can use 2 butter knives to do this (one in each hand).

It's kind of hard to describe, but easy to demonstrate. If you ever want to come by for a day of baking, I can show you.

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

You mean this kind, right? I used to have one but it has left me.

I was thinking of the right thing, but I still wouldn't mind a day of baking.

[glinda-w.livejournal.com]

*whimper*

I miss Cortland apples. Really really really miss them. Haven't been able to find them on the 'left coast', even at farmers' markets.

*drool*whimper*

(think of me when enjoying one, 'k? :) )

[leanne-opaskar.livejournal.com]

Sounds fabulous. *promptly saves*

[dreda.livejournal.com]

Thank you! We'll have more apples come the end of the weekend - it's good to be prepared.

(Large quantities will probably become apple butter - my favorite easy thing to do with apples.)

[corwyn-ap.livejournal.com]

Can I get the apple butter recipe? It looks like our apple harvest will be large this year, after we get done making cider (yippee), we may still have some...

[dreda.livejournal.com]

Make applesauce and then forget about it on the stove for a while. Seriously. I make applesauce (wash and chunk up the apples - getting rid of the seeds and stuff but not peeling - bring them to a boil with some cider, which is tastier than water, let them simmer until everything's broken down, add things like cinnamon and clove to taste, then run the whole mass through a food mill for texture and removal of skins), and then let some of the applesauce cook down about 4X. When it blobs on a plate without weeping (like set preserves) it's done - jar it or can it.

[redfishie.livejournal.com]

hmm..my scone recipe is very drippy but comes out well once baked, I wonder if this would apply here as well.

also the problem with scones is if you over-knead them they come out tougher.

[wren13.livejournal.com]

Scones sound yummy, must get to the orchard soon. Did you ever make gallons of tomato sauce?