Cherry Almond Scones

I made these back in April for a baby shower I went to.  I also made the chocolate chip toffee ones found here.  These are really very tasty and a must to make.  Sure hope you give them a try.  Scones are really not difficult to make and are a great added to treat for any occasion. 

Ingredients

3½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
4 ounces unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces (1 stick)
7 ounces almond paste, frozen ( grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
1 cup buttermilk or greek yogurt
1 teaspoon almond extract
½ heaping cup fresh marachino cherries, whole small or cut larger  in half
1 egg
1 egg mixed with 1 teaspoon cold water
Coarse sugar for topping
Sliced almonds for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
Using a pastry blender cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some larger pea size chunks of butter still remaining.
Fold in the grated almond paste using a rubber spatula.
In a large measuring cup combine the buttermilk, almond extract and 1 egg. Blend with a small whisk until combined.
Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour and butter mixture. Fold together using the spatula until a dough starts to come together. Do not over mix. Gently fold in cherries.
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead gently to combine. Press the dough into a ¾ inch thick round and cut into scones using a 2½ inch biscuit cutter, or whatever shape you like.
Place the scones 2 inches apart on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Brush each scone with the egg and water mixture. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, then sliced almonds, then a little more coarse sugar.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove to a wire rack to cool.

I also made the toffee chocolate chip ones, here a photo of them all together ready to take to the shower.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great week and Always Remember to Find the Time to DO all the Things YOU L♥ve.

Donna