Cream Scones

Cream Scones
From Joy Of Baking

2 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup (76 grams) cold unsalted butter
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream or milk
Glaze:
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon cream or milk
Garnish:
Jam or Preserves
Clotted or Whipped Cream

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place rack in middle of oven. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs.
3. In a small measuring cup combine the whipping cream, beaten egg and vanilla. Add this mixture to the flour mixture. Stir until just combined. Do not over mix.
4. Knead dough gently on a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat the dough into a circle that is about 7 inches (18 cm) round and about 11/2 inches (3.75 cm) thick.
5. Cut this circle into 8 triangular sections. Alternatively, you can cut the dough into rounds with a 2 1/2 inch (6.5 cm) cookie cutter.
6. Make a glaze of one well-beaten egg with 1 tablespoon cream or milk. Brush the tops of the scones with this mixture. This helps to brown the tops of the scones during baking.
7. Bake for about 15 - 18 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of a scone comes out clean.
8. Remove from oven and then turn your broiler on high. Sift confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar heavily over the tops of the scones and place them under the broiler. Broil for just a few seconds, turning the pan as necessary, until the sugar has melted and turns golden brown. Make sure to watch the scones carefully as the sugar will burn very quickly.
9. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve with Devon cream or softly whipped cream and your favorite jam.

Makes 8 triangular scones or 10 - 2 1/2 inch (6.5 cm) round scones.