Scones are a smart way to celebrate a quiet weekend morning.
Nothing more than a gussied-up biscuit, scones are easy to make, and a plate of them offers the perfect excuse to sit, chat and relax.
Guests are sure to be touched that you went to the trouble to bake a batch from scratch, but they may weep with joy when you let it slip that Mini Currant Scones contain less than half the amount of butter and substitute fat-free half and half for the heavy whipping cream.
For comparison's sake, the Classic Cream Scones in "The Joy of Cooking" call for 8 tablespoons of butter, an amount that we whittle down to just 3 tablespoons. And using fat-free half and half saves 40 calories and 5 grams of fat per tablespoon.
To resist overeating, modern wisdom says to keep portion sizes petite. We doubt she'd even notice you used a 2-inch biscuit cutter rather than the standard 2 1/2-inch cutter.
And the end results?
A tender, flaky scone, of course.
In England and Scotland, scones are typically served split and topped with butter, jam, preserves, clotted cream or lemon curd. But with the addition of moist currants (which are also high in potassium), it's easy to skip the extra, calorie-laden frills.
Shopping tip: Look for currants, similar to tiny raisins, in the dried fruit aisle of your supermarket. Use remaining currants in place of raisins or dried fruit in baked goods. One quarter cup currants equals 1 fruit serving.
Look for parchment paper in the baking aisle. Other handy yet inexpensive kitchen equipment called for in this recipe: a pastry blender and a silicone pastry brush, both available in well-stocked supermarket or specialty store.
• 2 cups flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup currants
• 3/4 cup fat-free half and half
• 1 egg white, slightly beaten
Heat the oven to 450 degrees.
Combine the flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt in medium-size mixing bowl.
Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or by using 2 knives, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the currants and toss gently. Add the half and half, stirring just until moistened. The mixture will appear slightly crumbly. Use your hands to form a solid ball of dough and knead 4 or 5 times on a floured surface.
Roll the dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut the scones and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Brush the egg white over the top of each scone. Sprinkle lightly with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake for 10 to 12 minute,s or until golden. Serve warm.
Makes 16 (2-inch scones)
Nutrition information per scone: 106 calories (19 percent from fat), 2 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), 6 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams protein, 20 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram dietary fiber, 198 milligrams sodium.
