Irish Tea Time and Scones

My hubby and I spent our honeymoon in England.  We traveled the southwest part of the country by car.  And, went as far as the westernmost part and back to London.

We loved our time together and every minute exploring the countryside from castles, to small villages by the sea and the rolling hills with sheep awandering.

Driving was quite an excitement with constant yelling...Keep Left!  But there was no way better to explore these fairy tale villages and partaking in tea time was a key component, especially since I was now married to someone who had Irish blood in him!

We don't have tea time everyday like those in England or Ireland, but during the winter time it was something we often did with the girls.  Something to remind them of their Irish heritage and a time to sit down, slow down and share some time over tea and cookies or scones.

Since St. Patrick's Day is near, I thought I would share my favorite, easy scone recipe from a cookbook I love to refer to, Biscuits and Scones by Elizabeth Alston.  

I know, you can buy scones in the store or make them from a box, but this is so much better and I don't think people realize just how easy they are to make from scratch...no time at all!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 stick of cold, unsalted butter (cut up into small cubes)

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup milk

Heat oven to 425 degrees.

Put flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl.  Mix together.

Add the cut up butter cubes into the flour mixture.  Use a pastry blender to cut in the butter until the mixture looks like fine granules.  Add the sugar and toss to mix.

Add milk and stir with a fork until a soft doug forms.  (Note-add extra milk or flour to achieve that consistency).  Form dough into a ball and place on a slightly floured surface.  Knead dough 10-12 times...do not overwork the dough.

Cut dough in half and shape into two balls.  Pat each ball flat with the palm of your hand until you have about a 6 inch circle.  Cut each circle into 6 or 8 wedges.

Place wedges onto an ungreased cookies sheet and bake for about 12 minutes, until top is slightly brown.

Put the cooked scones on a cotton dish towel on a wire rack to cool.

Scones printable recipe

Serve with your favorite tea and favorite jam...then let the conversation begin.

The girls loved to do this!  It seemed such a grown up thing to do.  For kiddos, use some of the Celestial Seasonings Herbal flavored teas while you can have your favorite.  Mine is Earl Grey!

Celebrate the little things, like tea time with your family, that make life sweet!

Christine

Joining a link party at The 36th Avenue, Six Sisters' Stuff, Kitchen Meets Girl and I Heart Naptime