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Cinnamon Apple Scones

Adapted from the Foster's Market scones, this recipe gives you 8 very cinnamon-y scones.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine British
Keyword Apple, Scones
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8
Author Cookie Madness

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 290 grams
  • ¼ cup sugar 50 grams
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt plus an extra pinch
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • cup finely chopped peeled Granny Smith apple
  • 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter 144 grams (or use half butter & half shortening)**
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk plus more buttermilk if needed
  • 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream for brushing tops
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar mix 2 teaspoons sugar with a pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Have ready a large heavy duty baking sheet lined with nonstick foil or parchment.
  • Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon in food processor and pulse to mix.
  • Add the butter and pulse until coarse and crumbly, then add the chopped apple and pulse until coarse. Add the buttermilk 2 tablespoons at a time and pulse until just combined and the dough begins to stick together. Add a tiny bit more buttermilk only if mixture seems very dry.
  • Empty the crumbly mixture onto a floured surface. Shape into a 6 ½ inch round.
  • Using a buttered chef's knife, cut round into 8 triangles.
  • Brush tops of scones with a little heavy cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.
  • Bake 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

These are great with a handful of walnuts thrown in!  Also, I had to use half shortening for one batch and it actually improved the texture of the scones.  If you are okay with shortening, give it a try.
Variations: 
  • For Apple Pie Scones, use white whole wheat in place of AP.  Add a pinch of cardamom and reduce cinnamon to 1 teaspoon.  Reduce sugar to 3 tablespoons and add a mashed or cut up piece of apple pie to the dry mixture before adding the buttermilk.  You'll end up needing much less buttermilk, so start by adding 2 tablespoons.
  • For Chocolate Chip Espresso Scones, add ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips to the dough.  Add about 2 tablespoons instant coffee mix to the buttermilk. 
  • For Mixed Berry Scones, use 2 to 3 tablespoons less buttermilk and use mixed berries instead of apple. 
  • For Lemon-Almond Scones, add the grated zest of 2 lemons and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the buttermilk.  Add almonds.