Tillamook Cherry-Almond Scones

Cherry-Almond Scones

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2" pieces
1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/4 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:
Preheat a 450*F oven.

In a large bowl sift together flour baking powder, salt, and sugar.  Add butter pieces and work well with finger or work with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal.  

Stir in cherries, almonds, and orange zest.  Make a well in the center and our the milk and almond extract.  

With a rubber spatula quickly mix ingredients into soft slightly a wet dough.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Lightly sprinkle dough with flour and pat into a 7" circle.  Cut into 8 wedges. Place on a greased baking sheet spacing 2 inches apart.  

Bake 12 to 14 minutes until lightly browned.  Serve warm from the oven.  Yield: 8 Scones

If using salted butter omit the salt in the recipe.