Prune Almond Scones Food

PRUNE WALNUT SCONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut the shortening in until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Set aside 1/4 cup walnuts. Add remaining walnuts and the prunes to dry ingredients; toss until combined. Add buttermilk and mix lightly with fork until mixture clings together and forms a soft dough.
• Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead gently 5-6 times. Divide dough in half. With lightly floured rolling pin, roll one half of dough into a 7-inch round. Cut into 4 wedges. Repeat with remaining half of dough.
• Place scones 1 inch apart on greased baking sheet. Pierce tops with tines of fork and sprinkle with reserved walnuts. Bake scones for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

ALMOND PASTE SCONES

Steps:

• If using optional amaretto, soak cherries in amaretto for 15-20 minutes before beginning.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F Stack two baking sheets together and line the top one with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate the almond paste and then the butter directly into the dry ingredients. With a pastry cutter, cut the almond paste and the butter into the dry ingredients until a few pea-sized lumps remain. Stir in the cherries or mini chocolate chips. (If using amaretto, drain cherries before adding. Drink or discard amaretto.).
• In a separate small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and both extracts. With a fork, gradually stir enough of the liquid into the dry mixture until the mixture just starts to come together, reserving about 1 tablespoon of the liquid to brush the tops of the scones.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and very gently pat into an 8-inch round about 1 1/2 inches high. Using a chef's knife or bench scraper. cut the dough round into 8 wedges. Transfer the wedges to the baking sheet, spacing the scones at least 1 inch apart. Lightly brush the tops of the scones with the reserved egg-cream mixture and sprinkle liberally with sugar.
• Bake in the top third of the oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the tops are golden. Transfer the scones to a wire rack to cool slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve warm.