buttermilk scones

2 cups flour
3 T. sugar
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
½ cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1 T. grated orange peel
½ cup buttermilk
1 tsp. sugar
Preheat oven to 375º (180C).

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, 3 T sugar, baking powder & soda. Add butter; knead with your fingers to form fine crumbs. Stir in cranberries and orange peel (these are optional). Make a deep well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk (buttermilk can be made by mixing 1/2 cup milk with 1 tsp vinegar, and allow to sit for 5 min). Stir with a fork, until the dough holds together.
Pat the dough into a ball and knead on a highly floured board for 5-6 turns. Divide dough into two parts and shape each half into a smooth ball. Flatten each ball slightly into a 5 inch circle, and cut in half. Place the four semi-circles on an un-greased baking sheet, with halves facing each other to form two rounds. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 10 minutes. The scone halves should puff up and touch each other on their cut edges. With a sharp knife, quickly slash a cross ½ inch deep across the top of the scones. Return to oven and bake about 20 minutes longer until golden brown. Enjoy with jam or butter! You can also drizzle with powdered sugar icing (pictured above).
glory to Susan D, one of my fave people