What's a Tea Party Without Some Scones?

The best part about having girls? Getting to do the "girly" things - like tea parties!

And of course, to have a proper tea party, one must bake scones. =)

Off to the kitchen we headed (me shuffling slowly, Anna with a hop to her step). We assembled our ingredients...

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup white sugar (I use a cane sugar - it has a nicer taste)
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup goodies (craisins and white chocolate chips are my fav, though this time we used semi-sweet chips)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 t vanilla
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk

Mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and use your fingers to rub into the flour mixture until it is in pea-sized lumps. Add in the goodies. Mix together the milk, sour cream, and vanilla, then mix into the dry ingredients until just blended. (Do NOT overmix) Stick the bowl into your freezer for a few minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, grease a cookie sheet and whip up the egg and milk.

Now, here's where you can be creative. Usually I pat the dough into one large circle and cut it into 6 wedges, separating them slightly. This time I made a bunch of little circles and set them on the sheet barely touching. I must say, I like the wedges better. It's easier and creates the more traditional scone shape.
Brush on the egg (or, if you're like me and don't keep fancy little brushes around - or use them for BBQ - use a spoon or a fork. It's not rocket science.) and then sprinkle with a course sugar (I used the same stuff I put in). Let them rest for about 10 minutes, then pop them in the oven and bake. Check them in 10 minutes, but mine have taken as long as 20 minutes. Just cook them until they're done, a nice golden brown.

Pour yourself a cup 'o tea (and mind you always heat the pot) and enjoy!

PS. Tea tastes much better when served in fine china, just an FYI. ;-)