Apple Cheddar Scones

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400u00b0. Place first 3 ingredients in a food processor, and pulse to combine. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal.

2. 2

   Transfer to a bowl, and stir in cheese and apple. Add buttermilk, and stir just until combined. (Do not overstir.) If dough is still crumbly, stir in more buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to bring dough together.

3. 3

   Knead dough gently several times with floured hands on a lightly floured surface. (Dough should just come together and not be sticky.) Pat dough into an 8-inch-diameter round, about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 8 triangles with a sharp knife, and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

4. 4

   Bake at 400u00b0 for 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.

5. 5

   Pear Parmesan Scones: Prepare Apple Cheddar Scones as directed, adding 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper to flour mixture and substituting 2 ounces Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup lightly packed) for Cheddar cheese, 2 peeled Bartlett pears for apple, and 3/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons whipping cream for buttermilk.

No additional tips available.