Tea Time Scones!

tea time scones, courtesy of jt

2 cups all-purpose flour (i prefer king arthur)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (super fine works better, i think and i up it to nearly 1/2 cup for american tastes)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup dried currants (i up this to 1 cup) or maybe cranberries or blueberries or chocolate or :) :)
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk (i up this a bit when i add extra sugar)

topping

1 tbsp buttermilk
2 tbsp granulated sugar

1. in large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. cut in butter using a pastry blender or fork (this is always a part that i over-do) to make COARSE crumbs. stir in currants.

2. in another bowl, beat egg with buttermilk. stir into dry ingredients to make a soft dough.

3. turn out onto floured board and knead dough gently three or four times (also something that i sometime forget to do but it's important); pat or roll out into circular shap about 3/4 inch thick. i made the last batch too thin. i think that this should be a GENEROUS 3/4 inch thick.

4. cut into 12 triangles like a pizza. arrange on prepared baking sheet.

5. brush with buttermilk and sprinkle with sugar to taste. bake at 400 degrees F for 16 to 20 mins or until golden. transfer to rack.

enjoy!