Decadent variations for the classic scone recipe

The classic English scone is a recipe that speaks of decadence and simplicity. In less than half an hour, the simple scone can be dressed up to indulge your sweet tooth, become a nutritious breakfast or be paired with a warm soothing drink.

Makes 12 scones.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup of cold butter cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

1. Sift your dry ingredients into a bowl.
2. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the pieces are mixed evenly with the flour mixture.
3. Add in your cream, egg and vanilla and mix until it becomes a soft dough mixture.
4. Turn onto a floured surface, knead and roll out to a 3/4 thickness. Cut into circles and bake at 425 degrees for 13-15 minutes.

The end product will be a light and fluffy biscuit. Kept simple, you can pair it with butter and jam for a delicious snack. Or use any of the following ingredients to create a mouth-watering decadent scone.

For breakfast: Add 1/2 cup of blueberries. For a healthy alternative, cut up an apple, add raisins and sunflower seeds.

For an afternoon snack: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with 1/2 cup of raisins and pair with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Or add an additional 1 teaspoon of vanilla and a 1/2 cup of raspberries. You could also add 1/4 cup of poppy seeds with 2 teaspoons of grated lemon peel and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.

For dessert: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1 1/2 teaspoons of almond extract (substituted for vanilla in above recipe). For something a little less sweet but still as decadent, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. After it is cooked, add a large spoonful of homemade whipped cream and your favorite jam.

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