Several years ago, I was having tea with friends at an adorable little tea cottage. We could choose our tea from an extensive list, but our food was a set menu. Two pots of fragrant steaming tea were served with dainty sandwiches and succulent fruit. Anticipating the next round of food, my enthusiasm waned when our server set before us, what she called buttermilk scones.
I thought to myself, “That is a biscuit with sugar on it, I could do that.” The very next day, my scone recipe was born. I will share it here today, but I want you to know that it is not the ingredients or recipe that make my scones good. It is the joy I receive in using the gift of creativity as a means to share the gift of hospitality that comes from a deep place in my heart.
As we approach the holiday season, we often get caught up in shopping and gift giving, admittedly, two of my favorite things. It may look different to every person, gift or giver, and however exciting it is to find the perfect gift for a friend or family member, a gift of the heart always wins.
Keri’s Scones
2 cups flour ¼ tsp cream of tartar
¼ cup sugar (or so) ½ cup butter
4 tsp baking powder 1 egg
½ tsp salt ⅔ cup buttermilk or cream
*Cut butter into the dry ingredients (I started using a Kitchen Aid for this, and it works great!)
*Mix in wet ingredients
Fold in the ingredients of your choice:
Berries & vanilla
Cherries, almonds, & almond extract
Chocolate, almonds, & almond extract
Blueberries & lemon juice & orange juice concentrate
Shredded Cheese and herbs
Pumpkin & Candied Ginger
Apples, Cinnamon and Cinnamon Oil
*Add flour as needed when you are kneading
*Make into a ball and flatten and cut in 8 triangles or two balls and cut into 16 triangles
(I usually freeze them at this point, then take them out and use them as needed)
* Heat oven to 350° (My oven is a bit hot so I bake at 325°)
* Put on parchment to bake
* Coat with milk, egg, vanilla, almond extract, or OJ concentrate and sprinkle with raw sugar or something yummy
*Bake for 20-25 min depending on your oven.
Serve with your favorite jam, curd, or cream.
Keri’s Mock Devonshire Cream:
Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 1 Tbs soft cream cheese, 1 Tbs of almond extract, and powdered sugar to taste.
You may want to experiment a little to make your scones a gift from your heart…
I Peter 4:9-10 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Next week… What is a skiver and what does it have to do with hospitality?
What is your favorite scone flavor?
Soul Water 