Orange Infused Cherry Scones

These little treats are my absolute favorite and at most fund-raisers tend to be the most profitable.

Begin with preheating your oven to 400 degrees.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of snipped dried sweet cherries (or golden raisins)
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup butter
1-2 tsp finely shredded orange peel
1 egg
8 ounces of sour cream

Directions:

1. If your cherries are store bought you will need to give them a bath. Place them in a small bowl and cover them with boiling water. Set this bowl aside and let rest for 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, combine the flour, brown suger, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Slice the butter into pieces and cut it into the mixture until it begins to look crumbs.

3. Add your cherries and the orange peel to your mixture, toss to make sure they are well coated. Once your satisified, make a well in the center and set the bowl aside.

4. Take a small bowl and beat your egg. Work in your sour cream until well combined. Now add your egg mixture all at once into the well you created in your flour mixture. I have found the best way to combine them is with a fork. You may find the finished product a little dry, that's ok.

5. Lightly flour your cutting board. Place your dough on this surface. Knead your dough by folding and gently pressing dough until it is smooth in appearance. Lightly roll your dough out to be about 7 inches in diameter. Now cut your dough in to 12 pieces (much like a pie).

6. Place the wedges 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. (If your using my Orange Glaze, mix it as you wait.)Remove your delicious scones from the baking sheet and allow to cool on your cooling rack(s) about 10 mins before serving.

I am also including my very easy orange glaze, just in case you would like to add just a touch of sweetness to your tasty treat. Please make sure to benefit the most from this glaze that you added it only right at the very end of the cooling time so that it may actually have a chance to adhere to your scones and not just dribble off.

Orange Glaze

Ingredients:

1 cup of sifted powdered sugar
1 tbsp of orange juice
1/4 tsp vanilla

Mix together these three ingredients. You may continue to add additional orange juice as you see the need to create the consistency you are looking for. Try to only add any additional orange juice 1 tsp at a time to make sure it doesn't get to thin.....it is suppose to be a drizzled glaze not soup.....lol

Now sit down and enjoy your treats with your favorite tea and best girlfriends.