Irish Scones - Appetizers & Sides

• 1 3/4 cups (about 8 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar, plus additional for sprinkling over tops
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) cold Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter, cut into pieces
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg, plus additional beaten egg for brushing over tops

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Sift together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt into large bowl. Using fingertips or pastry blender, rub or cut butter into flour mixture to form coarse crumbs. Add raisins. Whisk together milk and 1 egg. Make a well in the flour mixture; pour in milk mixture. Using fork, stir just until soft, moist dough is formed.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface; gently knead 1 or 2 times to incorporate loose pieces of dough. (Do not over knead.) Pat dough to 1 1/2-inch thickness. Using well-floured 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter or bottom of a glass, cut out about 6 rounds, recombining scraps as necessary. Place rounds on lightly buttered baking sheet. Brush tops with additional beaten egg; sprinkle with additional sugar.

Bake until golden brown, about 14 to 17 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking for more even browning. Serve warm with Kerrygold Irish Butter and jam.

Makes about 6 servings
Note: These scones are more muffin-like in texture; dough will be moist and wet, which ensures a tender texture.

by Mary Burns