Orange Poppy Seed Scones

Another great scone recipe from my Simply Scones cookbook.  Easy to make and delicious. Eat them plain or with a little butter or orange marmalade on top. You can leave them plain or drizzle them with a glaze made of powdered sugar and orange juice.

Makes 8 Scones

2-1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 -1/4 cup poppy seeds (I like less, you might like more.)
1 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled (or use salted butter and omit the 1/2 tsp salt)
1/4 cup orange juice
1 large egg
1 tsp grated orange peel

Preheat oven to 375-F. Lightly butter a 10-inch-diameter circle in the center of a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, poppy seeds, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes and distribute them over the flour mixture. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (Or grate the butter into the flour mixture. Much easier IMO.)

In a small bowl, stir together the juice, egg and orange peel. Add the juice mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine. You might need to add a little more juice to make it all stick together.

With lightly floured hands, pat the dough into a 9-inch circle in the center of the prepare baking sheet. With a sharp knife (I use a pizza roller) cut the circle into 8 wedges.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve warm or let cool to eat later.

Happy Baking!