It’s a cold and wintry Sunday morning, and I’d love something warm and comforting with my Irish breakfast tea today, something other than the oat bran toast with peanut butter that is my usual staple with the first cup. After I’ve been up a while, it will be the customary bowl of Irish oatmeal, but I’m thinking of something to hold me over until then. Perhaps you are, too.

    Well, then, let’s make some scones, those little tea breads with a thin, slightly crunchy outside and a dense but still moist and fluffy inside. Here’s a simple recipe that will take you about 40 minutes from start to first bite hot out of the oven. The yield is about a dozen.

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tb granulated sugar
1 tb baking powder
grated zest of 2 large lemons (or 1 tsp lemon extract)
¼ tsp salt
4 tb cold, unsalted butter (½ stick), cut into pieces
2 large eggs
½ cup heavy cream (half 'n half will give you almost the same crumb)
½ cup dried cranberries

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon zest and salt in a bowl. Cut in the butter with a fork or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate, small bowl, whisk the eggs and cream together and add to the dry mixture and dried cranberries, stirring until a sticky dough is formed.

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead gently only until it holds together. Roll out gently with a floured rolling pin to about an inch thick, and cut scones out with a 3” cookie cutter.

Keep the scones about an inch apart on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake until they are crusty and golden brown, about 15 minutes.

    You’ll want to eat these right out of the oven. Strawberry jam would be a nice touch, perhaps with some clotted or Devonshire cream. As for me, some butter and warmed honey will do, although these scones are good just as they are, too, washed down with a hearty cup of tea.

    However, I also like a little heartier accompaniment sometimes, too.  Ever try Jameson Irish Whiskey Marmalade?  Or a blackberry jam?  You can source these, along with your Bewley's Irish Breakfast Tea, at TastyIrishtreats.com.  Click on this link for quick access . . . . .

Tasty Irish Treats Shop for all your favorite Irish teas, candies, jams, oatmeal, mustard and more. Click here to check out our selection

 
    This recipe is as easy as it seems, and 40 minutes is a small investment of time for such a delightful way to begin your morning. It can set a wonderful tone for the rest of your day.